Tick Tok

Time is ticking and with each tick of the clock is your life too.

Such strange times that we live in. We needed a pandemic to hit the pause button of our lives to look around and smell the grass.

 Not sure if the year 2020 can be called great, but yes life did take a 360 degree turn for most of the people, turn upside down. For some made to wonder what the future holds for them.   

I will be honest enough that the beginning of the work from home was not great for me. Someone who cannot stay at home for long told you cannot move out of your home because there is a lock down.

One of the good things that happened I ended up reading books, doing other stuff and yes taking a pause from this blog. In reality was not in a good headspace to write almost about anything. 

The year was supposed to end in a different note but ended up in a different way.

Who says God does not have humor? I certainly experienced it the details of which will be revealed later if everything goes on a happy ending or maybe not...

I have come across people who have choose to live a complicated life which could have been much better if they had made the right choices. I guess trying to understand or bring sense would not make any sense since that ship has already sailed. The next best thing that one can do is hope that they move in the right direction and add meaning to their lives instead of living in a short term happiness and unhappiness in the long term. Why do anyone even want to live such a life of emptiness?

Independence means different to different people but stretching the limits of it is to test yourself or bring harm to one. I hope people realize life jhand nahi hoti but the choices one makes in their lives decides where it will take you.

The year 2021 is no different than 2020 but yes there is this hope that things will get better and we may go back to our old lives finding ourselves back in our homes, offices or wherever you thought was your life. Hope there is no regret that during this pause phase of our lives, we did not get an opportunity to have a reassess our lives, our lifestyle and yes of course health both physically and mentally.

Hope that you find your purpose of living, happiness and love that you look for.

I certainly hope that I can get back to write more on this space of mine :)

Daddy's Little Princess

Source: ispcc

Karan was sitting in the hall, his shoulders drooping elbows resting on his legs as his hands covered his face. He could hear the voices coming from inside and wanted them to stop.

It went for quiet a while, screams could be heard and then Anju his wife came out and said "You talk to her. She is not listening to me" she said.

"Let me try" Karan said and went inside. He saw his 15 year old daughter Arohi sitting near the window looking outside. Eyes swelled up and face sullen.

He walked toward her and sat down to the floor to look upwards towards her. "Beta, what happened?" he asked her which was met with a silence and indifference to his presence. "We talked about this. Remember we had a deal" Again there was no response from her end.

Sensing that she was in no mood to talk he offered to leave to which she responded "I don't want to go" still looking outside the window. "Who is talking about leaving? We are still a family and will be always. The only difference will be I will not be around much but just a phone call away. Your wish will be my command".

"Dad, I want you to live with us just like old times. Why can't we be like one happy family like we used to be? No one cares about what I want. she said as her eyes let the tears flow out.

"I know its difficult for you to understand right now but when you grow up, you will know it was in the best interest of everyone. This is not what I wanted you to go through but here we are" as he held her hands into his.

"Dad, do you still love Mom? she asked and he nodded his head in sadness. "Why don't you fight for her, make her stay?

He looked at her with a smirk smile. "Don't you think I tried hard enough? You cannot hold on to people who have choose to move on. For a relationship to work it has be from both the ends. Otherwise both end up losing".

"People grow apart but that does not changes how you feel about them. You choose to move on with your life".

"I want to live with you Dad, not her". "Arohi beta, you know I tried from my end. Don't hate your Mom for this. She is doing what she think is best for her and you. Life is not a bed of roses and situations like this makes one realize to let each other know that you love them from time to time. Maybe I was not paying attention to what was going on with her and paid for it".

"I will never stop loving her and so should you. Remember the happy times and I will be just a phone call away" he looked at her and smiled as he held on to her hands. She smiled back.

"Be a good girl now and give your Dad a hug" Karan said as he got up. "You know, you look so pretty when you smile, your face lights up" as they hugged each other.

"You will be always be your Daddy's little princess"

Book Review: Nine Lives: In Search of the Sacred in Modern India by William Dalrymple

Its been almost a year now that I have started reading books again. Made sure that I touched upon the writers never read or heard before. It gives a good perspective when one engages oneself in the thoughts that is put into writing. Questioning, Understanding and Differing views gives an understanding of the larger picture. 

When I decided to read this book, I had no idea what it was all about. I had heard only about the author William Dalrymple but nothing to gloat.

I have to say that I did not know that there exists different types of writers. Mostly what I have read was mostly fiction, biography, etc. but never a travel book. This was my first travel book.

India is rich in diversity, culture and so many stories to tell. Religion plays an important part in our daily lives and this book offers us a peek into the lives of people who dedicate their lives to God wholeheartedly and ask for nothing more.

It stuck me how little we know of them who are only revered during religious ceremonies. I have to say the author did a pretty good job reminding us about the hardships, dedication and ways of life to live. 

It reflects upon on the lives of nine such individuals who found their calling in God.

I could relate to the story of the Theyyam dancer having witnessed Bhuta Kola up close which is similar to it. What I did not know was the back story of these dancers that I came to know through this book.

We think we know all about religion/God but its the lives that has been touched upon have the tales to tell.

The glimpse into the life of a girl who always knew she wanted to become a monk, wandered places, learned the ways to live and it was the passing of her friend that led her to question and then on the path of Sallekhana.

It's intriguing to see the author ask them about their choices, the path they walked on and to an outsider that gives a lot of insight into their lives.

Among the nine lives, its the narrative of Manisha Ma Bhairavi, the Bauls & Tibetan monk that makes an interesting read.

I have to say that I at times find the author too excessively describing the surroundings which did made me wonder if that was needed.

Nonetheless each interaction with the nine lives makes you think the path they walked on, the road less traveled and the kind of determination and dedication shown all in the name of God.

I will recommend this book to anyone who wants to explore the facets of these lives who remain invisible to our naked eyes and come to prominence only when we need the presence of our higher calling.