A Lifetime Plan

People come into our life for a reason, a season or lifetime...says a popular email fwd. Come to think of it, it sure does make a lot of sense. How else would you explain the discontinuance of close friendships and the disappreaing of people we're close to, for no apparent reason. Like the mail says some people come into our lives for a reason and when that reason no longer exists they go away. Some people stay on for a season, a little longer while. Once that season is over, they're gone. And then there are those few who come into our life to last a lifetime. Their entry may be sudden and out of the blue, but they come and simply stay on. There is a reason that brings them into our life, but they continue to be a part of our life for a lifetime.

At every stage in life we experience this. People come, people go. Some people come and never go. They form an important part of our life and leave an indelible mark on every page of the book of our life. We cannot imagine life without them. We cannot see beyond them. Their absence is frightening and painful. Their company delightful. Ofcourse, there is also the other breed of lifetime people who add excitement to our life with the troubles they cause. My thanks to them too. Life would be boring without them.

But this blog was mainly for the people in my life who are on a lifetime plan. The one's who add colour to my life. The one's who make each day special. The one's who stand by me through the ups & downs of life.

Talking about reasons reminds me of one of my favourite poems called 'There is a reason', composed by Pujya Swami Chinmayanandaji or Gurudev as we lovingly call him. It goes like this...

There is a Reason

There is a Reason
For every pain that we must bear,
For every burden, every care
There is a Reason.

For every grief that crushes our heart
For every scalding tear we shed,
There is a Reason.

For every hurt, for every plight,
For every lonely, painful night,
There is a Reason.

Yet, if we trust God, as we all must,
It can all turn out to be for our good, as
He knows the Reason.

- Swami Chinmayananda

Kiss & make up

Mellow tiffs, cold wars, steamy fights, fiery arguments....form an uncanny part of any relationship. Be it parent & child, siblings, friends, colleagues, relatives, lovers or even enemies (yes! enemity too is a relationsip)...when two people are close there's bound to be some friction some time or the other. And there's nothing wrong in that. Its natural. It provides comic(if I may say so) relief. It adds spice to an otherwise sterotype relationship. And it keeps us on our toes. And it helps in honing our skill of apologising, appeasing, cajoling, convincing & making up. I think one of the best parts of a fight is the end of it...what is called 'kiss & make up'. Whether you kiss or hug or simply say sorry, getting back together with a smile is a different feeling. The saccharine sweetness mixed with the earlier bitterness and fiery anger gives a heady feeling. The sun is shining bright. The birds are singing again. The world is beautiful once more.

When love is in the air... - Poem

To continue what I said earlier about the connection of thoughts & feelings & mind set...here's another poem. Those in love would probably identify with what the poem says.

When love is in the air…

The sky is more blue
The sun is more bright
The mornings are so fresh
The night’s sublime

The flowers are sweeter
The butterflies more dazzling
The moon prettier
The evening’s velveteen.

The clouds are softer
The river more vibrant
The bees so much prettier
The rains so enchanting.

The stars in the sky have never shined so bright
The waves crashing on the shore are now a joyous sight.
The simple things in life have begun to have more life
I never realised it was such a joy just being alive.

But that is what love does to you
It changes your vision and uplifts your mood.
It adds a lilt to your voice and a skip to your step
Life begins and you never want it to end.

Each day is special, full of moments to cherish
Every minute is different, every hour unique.
There isn’t a moment when there’s no reason to smile
Life’s no more a drag but truly worthwhile.

- Rukma

The Sorry Tale - Poem

The Sorry Tale

Alone walk through the woods, the less travelled road of no return.
Alas! I have strayed onto the beaten path, I choose the known despite the pain.
The stink, the pricks, the jab of broken glass with every step
Yet I keep going, the fleeting pleasures numbing the pain that goes in deep, so deep.

I see the unbeaten path, it beckons, it’s inviting, I drool at the thought of unknown findings
Yet my courage fails me and I continue with my spasms of pain and gain
Faltering, failing, falling and rising, it happens so rhythmically, you almost enjoy it.
The sadistic pleasure is intoxicating but more than that it’s the comfort of knowing.

Been down this road, fallen so often, scrapped my knees and scarred my heart
I chose the road less travelled but to no avail, it made others feel a fool, they wailed.
They dragged me back, lured me and cajoled me, and simply stopped me in my tracks.
Somewhere down the line I succumbed, heaved a heavy sigh and followed suit.

The road less travelled they say is not for you, you’re one of us, we need you
Emotions sway, thoughts go haywire, discrimination comes to a halt, the heart takes over.
Thereafter it’s a merry ride as you swing on your emotions, oft down, at times high
Is it all worth it? I might never know. To take each day as it comes is all I know.
- Rukma

M back!

It's been a long blog holiday. Not for any special reason...I can probably zero in on lethargy(lazy sounds so crass!). And I'm back thanks to this friend of mine who for reasons known to him alone, is interested in reading what I write.

So here's to the Montain King!