Morning Musing

I woke up this morning. Have roof over my head, a job, family, and more family back home that care for me and I care for. Have great friends. I am blessed. Thank God for these blessings in life.

There are times when life looks gloomy, hopeless and fearful. We are born and we die. We, as in us do not decide when we are born. Same way we do not decide when we die. So why would I let anxiety take over? Fear cripple my way?

Work honestly, communicate openly, appreciate little pleasures, live on, until the day we are ready to move on and make space for those lives that'll happen after us. That day can be anywhere - just a few feet away or miles. Waiting for that to arrive takes away the present.

Living in the present - thoughtfully, appreciatively, joyfully and thankfully, at the same time counting the little blessings, hoping for a future - not fearing for the future would be very helpful to find way through life, living it.
 

Relaxation...

A little farther way
Beckons the elusive relaxation
I'll reach you soon
Just one more chore
I'll finish and start.....
Relaxation listens and moves a little farther than that
Fold the cloths.
Do the dishes.
Tidy up kids room.
Vacuum the carpet.
Sweep the floor.
Just one more chore
I'm coming to you relaxation...
It seems to listen-
Ah the stove top.
Mop the floor.
Make the bed.
The bathroom?
Just one more chore.
Relaxation exasperated
Moves one step closer.
Oh no... not today...
I can't relax.
I am not completely done with my chore.
Its pickup time.
I'll pursue you tomorrow, relaxation.
Go relax.
Don't wait for me.
 

Winning Together

How do we want to spend time working on cross functional teams on a project? ‘A project’ is a key term. When the outcome of ‘a project’, the product - ships, and when the customer uses it – they look at the product as a whole. They do not care who developed, which team from which geography contributed to which feature etc. The perception one product. The life of this product and reputation of the company depends on whether it works or not. Features, functionality, usability, support and documentation – all of these factors contribute to one goal – user’s experience with the product.

From conception to deliverable, ‘a product’ is chunked into multiple components for development and testing by sometimes hundreds of skilled engineers. Everyone works to make their part perfect. And take of making all the parts work together as expected. Someone steps in to test if things are working as expected. And someone starts documenting the functionality to enable the user navigate through or use the product without going through much frustration.

There might be issues and glitches everywhere. Of course we are all human. So when we find an issue of a glitch, try to bring it up and help the owner fix. If we don’t and start finding faults at the last minute, instead of spending time in resolving the problem for a better quality, we spend more time in finding reasons to defend ourselves. How does that help us being productive? We lose track of the common goal, and start chasing our individual interest that may not contribute to a common goal.

It is common knowledge that team work is all about working together, complementing and helping each other to succeed as a team. To achieve a common goal.

And...

2014 is already two months into and running on to March tomorrow. When I was young, I seemed to have time. Just like everyone else. I did school work, volunteered to teach, read books, played in the front yard, visited friends, went to school, did all in one day. Those days, when I had to wait for the weekend, I had to actually feel going to school for five full days. It feels different now. Its like the weekend never happens...week days neither. Clock just seems to be running out of control. Who invented the clock anyways?? Yeah Google will find an answer or Siri....no I don't need to know now. I need a break.

Its all one constant rush.

When was the last time I sat and played scrabble, anything with my kids? When was the last time I was not chasing my never ending list of to do items? Even now - the network is way too slow, the deliverable I need to post to preview is still not happening. Need to take a shower...who cares right? As long as the work gets done.

Looks like I am being consumed by work....mmm taking a step back and think? Well I do love my job - enjoy the little successes and can handle the little or major frustrations. But these past few weeks, I am numb.

 

Love

Passionate moments of lonely intensity
Fiery cold and biting heat
Ravenous heart filled with
Unsung music's blaring noise
Is loudest on the lonely afternoon-
Unsaid word's deepest meanings
Drifting in dangerous solitude-
Vanishes with -

A gentle breezy touch
A warm glistening look
Filled with Love. 

Memories live on

My periyappa passed today. On his Birthday. At a temple. My mom's older sister's husband. I am grief stricken. So far away. Can't do anything except think about my childhood and the warm memories that flood the cold reality. I cannot be there to mourn through the ceremonies. Cannot share my grief with anyone around, because those memories are only close to me.

Like everything else, this grief too shall pass. And we will continue live. I have spent an essential part of my childhood at my periyappa's house. He is not a man of many words. His caring affection and love can only be experienced. I experienced his affection in more ways than one. I wish my kids got to know him better.

Now all we got is a few pictures of him with me and my kids. I cannot think beyond today. Today will pass too.

காதல்

தஹிக்கும் குளிரை
அணைக்கும் நெருப்பாய்
நிழலும் பொசுங்கும்
அனலின் சுடராய்
நிஜமாய் இருக்கும்
பொய்யின் முகமாய்
பொய்யாய் தெரியும்
உண்மை நிறமாய்
காதல் கொண்ட
பெண்ணின் மனது
அவளே கூட அறியா பொருளாய் ...