Interpreter of dreams

A beautiful dream is worth thousand thoughts. I have not read Freud and other psychological geniuses but dreams have always amazed me. For most mornings, I forget what I dreamt at night. To be honest I don't know whether I dream or not everyday. I think we need to dream in some time period at night to remember it in the morning.

I used to have a friend whose dreams came true, literally. She would have dreams like one of her friends or family getting sick or how she would fare in a future exam. Once she actually figured out her grandma’s death. This is actually little eerie. Though we all love to know our future, it is the uncertainty that keeps us going. Another friend of mine would have funnier dreams about the characters she read in books. When Delhi was under terrorist threat, she dreamt how she used machine guns to keep her place safe from invaders.

The dreams become bizarre when we try to link things not related to each other. We can laugh at these as we know they do not convey much meaning. But there are some, which help us steer in the right direction. If my mind is disturbed for sometime, many times I have found answer in my dreams. I have actually solved few of my physics problems like that. I have also read that many solutions dawn human mind when mind is at rest. May be that is the state when our conscience is in play and it advices us what is right for us. Whether the answer is in favor or not, there is peace in heart and this feeling can be a cure to depression.

I have never tried to interpret my dreams too much because I feel sometimes over analysis deviate from the path of actual cause. It is just the moment of tranquility in the morning that I look for. We seek for peace outside because there is so much chaos within us but the reality is peace is within us.

Growing up can be lots of fun

Has it ever happened to you that the things that you thought you would never do, think, understand is exactly what you are doing now and worse, be fairly comfortable about it? It's all part of growing up or getting matured but sometimes I get terrified that I might end up being a person I once abhorred!

As an enthusiastic post teen, I believed work as worship. I would feel guilty if there was not much work on my plate or if someone else was doing much difficult or creative work. I would feel I need to earn my money and less work did not fit my belief. Yes, I was young and stupid. Not that I am old and wiser but now, I don't mind free time accompanied by money paid for having it.

There are so many thoughts, ideas that I used to think occurs to others, only to realize that I am not left out as well. But on further thinking, only thing I can conclude is it’s a human nature and well, life happens to anyone.

Let’s just not even talk about food. All my childhood tantrums of eating only a selective few has taken a reverse turn, now that I eat anything vegetarian. Apart from surprising few who know me since I was a kid, I sometimes surprise myself seeing what I have in my food plate.

Though I respect the genuine concerns that my previous generation has for us and the future of the planet, I don’t seem to be much bothered about it. There are some global issues for which all of us have to contribute but otherwise, things which were considered taboo before are not looked upon the same way anymore. The society in general is becoming more generous and liberal. This of course, impacts human mind and the way it works. The realization that life is not black and white but shades of grey is more profound now.

As someone said, “Life is not what you think it is but what you make out of it.”

Edit: I changed the title as the previous one "Becoming someone you once disliked" was too strong. I don't think we can become someone else whom we abhorred but we start understanding life in a broader spectrum.

Signs

Knowingly or unknowingly, we are always looking out for signs or signals from life ensuring that we get what we are looking for or future looks good. As humans, we seek assurance, more than anything else. Some of these transcend into traditional customs or observance. As true with anything else, an open mind will break these so called rules but then, giving a scientific or spiritual reason, we just form new ones.

As a kid, I used to consider my blue ink pen and a blue belt as my source of luck. I used to be confident taking exams or going to competitions till I had them. Then I lost the pen and the belt broke. In a previous company I worked in, the manager had two names for a project - one internal to the department and one which was used while talking to the customers. He used to choose the internal ones very carefully, naming them after successful mythological figures, hoping that the projects meet the same fate as these characters etched in time. The higher a person goes in profession, the more assurance does (s)he look for because there is really no scope for failure.

Nowadays, we are surrounded by books and talks on realizing our true potential and succeeding in life. Paulo Coelho's Alchemist is one of the best books I have read recently which has inspired and motivated me. Seminars organized by Toastmasters are definitely stimulating and prepares the mind to at least start thinking in that direction. All said and done, these talks, books, seminars convey a simple message -"Listen to yourself". Still attaining it is one of the hardest feats. The reason being many times, our mind and heart are at conflict. In between these conflicts and thoughts lies the “miracle” or “God”, trying to confluence the two and bringing peace to them.

Amigos

Friends make up the world. There is an entire spectrum of how people perceive friendship. There are people for whom the entire world is their friend. Many a times, I have wondered how they were able to gain her/his friendship. I think it is just the magnanimous of my friend to stand people of all characters. On the other end, I know people who do not have many friends. I am not sure is it because they are not seeking people or just that they have not found the right ones.

Whatever it is, friends do influence one's thoughts and character. Though family plays a big part in shaping up a personality, many a times it is the friends who fine tune and surface up the talents in a person. All my life, I have been seeking friends and have been fortunate enough to find some wonderful ones. And I do agree that they have broadened my thoughts and the way to look at life.

The reason I enjoy Seinfeld and FRIENDS more than Everybody loves Raymond and others is they are centered among friends, where they talk about themselves and pull others legs - in short, live a life.

Time and space do influence a friendship and either harnesses it further or makes it grow apart. But we do value the few hours we are able to spend with them in couple of months or even years. That's the only time when we are able to cherish the past in the present.

Before you wonder why I am writing such a poignant post on a Monday, I have to tell you that I spent yesterday afternoon with some of my close friends, whom I discovered recently and the evening with my very long lasting friends. That’s not the end to it. The coming weekend, I am going to catch up with my long lasting friends again and it’s gonna be like our college days. Few days back and I believe for the next week, I am going to be living my present remembering my past and future.

As Elizabeth Foley says
"The most beautiful discovery true friends make is that they can grow separately without growing apart."

Amen.

Whose life it is anyways?

Few years back I had seen a movie in which a kid and his pet were trying to save the world which was conquered by some fictional dictator. The dictator had over powered the only one telecasting station in the earth and hence every TV on the earth was showing programs of his choice. He slowly and surely manipulated the whole world to agree with him. Each earthling was hooked on to TV and was controlled robotically by this dictator.

However imaginative it seems like, it is actually the reality. Though we do have numerous TV stations and channels, they all seem to telecast programs of same genre and appear to be controlled by a single authority. Soap Operas, regardless of language are hopeless and describe human relations in one of the most pitiable forms. The reality shows are pathetic and describe anything except what happens in reality.

Festivals are associated with religions and we do not want to be obligated in celebrating each one of them. So, we are coming up with more generic human related celebrations like Friendship week, Earth day, Chocolate day, heart month etc etc. Imagine the kind of marketing and advertising going on for this stuff. If I don't give my friend a card during friendship week, does she seize to be my friend? Don’t all these put a different sort of obligation in our mind? One of the most stupid ones that I have seen is kids as young as 3 years giving valentine cards to each and every classmate of theirs. One can get a valentine kit of set 20 which has a lollipop, sticker and a card to be given to each kid. The lollipop and sticker seems just fine for their age but cards with romantic cartoons and passionate words are crossing the border. I agree we need to foster brotherhood, more to say earthling hood but to what extent?

I think we need the kid from that movie to save us again.

The time starts now...

Thinking Aloud tagged me for my plans of next ten years. This has been a real good exercise on racking my brains for making some personal goals.

- I am happy I have made a start in writing but I would like to take it to the next level and make something concrete out of it.

- I would like to go on a vacation with my family every year. I would also like to camp/trek/ hike/bike every summer with them. I am sure these bonding and understanding would be very much needed when the kids grow older and require (demands) their space.

- I would like to organise my life in many aspects - my routine, home, work and relationships.

- I would like to be in a stronger position professionally.

- It has been a childhood dream for me to own a small library at home which would hold a good collection of timeless classics and modern bestsellers. With all the technology advancement and Kindle being here, I still love to feel and flip the pages of a book.

- Playing sports has always worked as a synergy for me. I would like to play Tennis and Volleyball more often and if possible, make Tennis as a weekend must-do-chore. I would also like to watch live tennis matches in all the 4 Grand Slam courts and be a regular for the US Open.

- As a kid I learnt the Indian classical Violin.I was able to renew my wish and am learning the western classical now. Playing Violin gives me some peace and pleasure. Hopefully, I would continue this and inspire my kids into some sort of music.

- I would like to watch more of the theater plays and musicals.

- I would like to spend more time in cultivating a home garden. Till now, I have not been able to save any of my plants from the severe winter chill but I want this to change.

- Life teaches us lesson at various stages. But I would like to have a better grasp of what is reality and what is dream. Many times, the line has blurred for me causing confusion.

- Family and friends have always supported and inspired me. I would like cherish the strong bonds and like to strengthen few ones.

- I would like to read mythological stories and philosophy from different parts of the world.

- I would like to give back to humanity in some way. I am not able to decide how but hopefully, it would be clear in couple of years.

- Last but not the least, finish the embroidery that I started 5 years back !

I would like to tag Arch, Madhu, Sumana, Archana, Dame's Diary, Ziah and VivekRam

Anyone else interested are most welcome to take it up.

Rare Gems

The environment in which we dwell has a great impact on our mind and growth. I truly admire good people whose goodness gets rubbed on to us and strong people who inspire us to go that extra mile against all odds.

While growing up in Delhi, I knew one very pious and nice family of 4. Their house used to homely and there was a certain calm and sereneness in the atmosphere. Theirs was the only home where a cat and dog would drink water from the same bowl without fighting. I believe the goodness got rubbed on to the pets too. They used to have plants from various parts of India growing in their deck. Irrespective of the specific conditions a certain plant needs to grow, they all grew well in their home. Both Uncle and Aunt were well educated. They understood philosophy of life was to be good and spread goodness. Their quest for knowledge was phenomenal. They had a room to collect grocery "lifafas" (bag made of local newspapers) . According to Uncle these contained some very interesting tit bits and he would read them during his past time. The Aunt was very talented and she would promote art in all forms - pottery, local handicrafts, paintings from various parts of India. Those days, local artists would sometimes knock at the doors requesting people for buying their works. These artists were not well to do and needed money to support the family. If anyone knocked at their door and his works were good, the Aunt would buy most of the paintings and call all her friends/acquaintances to look at the art and buy if interested. She would even try to help them establish their own business or recommend them to local arts store.

We are now more tolerant to the various religions and castes India boasts off. As a child I have experienced some very bitter religious clashes in my neighborhood. In those days, this family adopted a kid who was Muslim and had become an orphan. The kid had come to their home for some food and they asked him to stay with them. His name was "Mahiyam". They taught him and sent him to school. He grew up into a fine young man. Their own sons were also very nice to him and I am sure this kid got the greatest gift from god - parents. After all, just giving birth does not qualify one to become good parent.It is giving a good life to a child that makes one a good parent.

Until Death Do Us Part... Is it so?

My colleague mentioned about the German politician who has proposed an "expiration date" of 7 years to marriage. Uhh?
http://inthekut.wordpress.com/2007/09/21/marriage-for-life-or-just-in-7-year-increments/

This information started to churn my mind. With time, the way of life and living has changed - for better or worse is an individual's perception. Few decades ago, a person would never tender a resignation letter unless caused by some adverse circumstances. People used to work for the same company till they retire and would be very loyal to the company. "Aapka namak khaya hai, sahib"(I earned my food because of you .. Not the exact translation). I remember in Japan, the son could get the position of his father in the same company. This was because both the employee and employer cared for each other's welfare.

Now times have changed. People switch jobs like they change clothes. With all the corporate games, loyalty has taken a back seat. More people have started working, more ideas are pouring in and the rules have changed. We have become more self oriented in figuring out what is best for us. These thoughts have definitely affected our personal relationships as well. Gone are the days when a love affair in a hindi movie was depicted by just exchange of eye glances. Movies always reflect the reality of life and we can see our lives are indeed changing. Everything now is a deal, the winner bags the best deal. We look for expiration date in all the stuff we buy. But should that be extended to marriage as well? Only time would tell...

Searching for ...

Looking for wisdom
To enlighten my life

Looking for love
To fill my heart

Looking for tranquility
To rest my mind

Looking for freedom
To get away from boredom

Looking for the peace
To put my soul at ease

Looking for acceptance
To drive away any pretense

My mind keeps searching
For answers and preachings

For it is known
That there is no beginning and no end

That all in all
we are just brick on a wall.

Opportunity knocks

A mind full of dreams
A heart full of hope

An ambition to fervor
A success to devour

You came again
When all I could say was in vain

How I wish earlier you could have come by
And I would have welcome you with ecstacy and joy

For opportunity might knock twice
But age knocks only once.

Life is a pupose

I do realise
What is nice and what is wise

I do understand
The ground on which I stand

I need my mind to teach
That the stars in the sky are out of reach

But my mind do want to streach
And feel the star with light touch

How do I tell my mind to perceive
The life is as it conceives

I need to accept
That the life is for a purpose

That I cannot come to yonder
Without making things unorder

Learning to live...

Is it okay to be sensitive?
to things which do not look positive

I do get perturbed
even though I try hard not to be disturbed

Anger does come to me
I just don't show it as it should be

Doesn't mean all is fine
and I have nothing to whine

I still need to learn
how not to yearn

How to let go
when everything is a big no.

Thoughts...

Thoughts created by me
Weaves a world around me

A conversation, a sentence, a word
World is now upside down

I want to be somewhere else
To be away from my own self

People do not think what you feel
Why doesn't someone says something nice for me to heal

Maybe I should not be that sensitive
Afterall, everyone has something positive.