The idea of being able to know the future has bewitched the human mind since time immemorial. One comes across varied modes adopted to peep in the unknown and the unseen. There are innumerous people who would be acclaimed (although falsely in majority of the cases) to be the best of the seers; uncountable number of studies facilitating the art of foreboding; and a horde of uncanny events which may lead one to believe that some of us mortals are indeed able to see the future.
Well, I don’t want to start a debate on the capabilities and credentials of those celebrated astrologers and prophets. For I believe them not to be completely farce, but then not even a shade near to perfect. So then why at all am I painstakingly creating this whole drama referring to the unknown tomorrow?
This I am doing since I feel and firmly believe that future is in fact not uncertain. Now don’t get me wrong. I am not going to be writing about how with determination, dedication, persistence, perseverance and blah-blah-blah one can ascertain the future. Instead, I am going to be writing about a feeling which I have since my childhood. A feeling, that the future is already ascertained by the almighty, the supreme force. In other words, I believe that the lives of each and every living being in this universe are predetermined with the minutest details. It’s like a film being played when it has already been directed. Nothing in the vastness of the universe is spontaneous. Each breath that we take, each movement that we make, each word spoken or unspoken, and each thought expressed or not has been decided in advance for us.
Hard to believe? Not for me. Have you ever experience or even heard of a phenomenon called “déjà vu”? Yes, the experience of thinking that a new situation had occurred before. It happens to each one of us. Though some of us can expressly understand what it is. Is it not curious how a situation might seem to have occurred before when you consciously know that you have never been in that situation earlier? How on earth can you ever explain a feeling that you have seen an episode of a TV serial before when you know that this is the first time it is being aired? Or, how is it that you feel you have been to somebody’s place or office earlier when you are meeting that person first time in your life? Or, even how can it be that small and immaterial scenes from your life like having a cup of coffee, sitting and chatting with a friend, passing a newspaper to a family member, crossing a particularly unknown road may seem to have occurred to you before? As if you have dreamed of it earlier!
This might not sound convincing enough, but for me it is all an indication of the fact that the future is in fact not uncertain. Yes, some of the seers are able to get a glimpse of it because it is there for them to see.
And as they say, “If wishes were horses, likes of mine would gladly ride”, how I wish that I was able to see into my future. Not as broken pieces in my dreams which later lead to déjà vu, but as a whole and definite thing, with no uncertainties or doubts. But alas! Again, the wisdom of the Greater One strikes. We cannot and are not supposed to know what is going to happen to us. Won’t that take out the fun and excitement out of living? How mean of Him to plan things like this. But so it has been done, and we have no choice but to abide by it. However, it sure shows us the path to a little more wisdom. Wisdom to be complacent when we have to be and at the same time not losing the zest to live and achieve more. Wisdom to understand, enjoy and savor in the reality of the present, to live and cherish what “is”, rather than wasting away in the wait of what “will be”. For what will come will come, and we will have to face it when it does.
Thursday, November 20, 2008
Saturday, September 27, 2008
“Discovery of the unknown flaws”
I like to believe that I am the Best. Well who doesn’t? But I would like to confess here that I used to believe (till recent past) that I am the Best in whatever I do and whoever I am, and that I can easily achieve (may be faster and better than anyone else) whatever I try my hands on. Though I still believe that I am good, the self-obsession has somewhat been replaced by self-realization. To put it simply, I am thankful for whatever happened to me, because it made me see the plain fact which was by far eluding me. The fact that I was taking my life and my capabilities for granted. Yes I was!
I would not describe here the trail of events that made me realize what I did. Because it really does not matter what brought about an awakening. What matters is the learning and the transformation within.
I failed; to understand the difference between a positive self esteem and self-importance turning to egotism; to identify the fine line between considering yourself worthy and considering others unworthy; to execute what I firmly believed in that luck favors those who put in the effort. And I have no regrets in confessing and accepting that I failed. They say that each failure is a step towards success. And so do I believe. However disturbing the implications of the revelation might be, it still is a revelation.
I wanted to run away from my flaws; I hoped them to be a nightmare; I expected everything to turn OK all by itself. How foolish I was.
So now on a few resolutions –
Stop being self obsessed and accept that you may be at fault
Stop ridiculing yourself even if you do commit a mistake
Learn to take a stand howsoever difficult it may seem
Come out of the comfort zone and face the world
And a few key learnings –
Decisions may be difficult but sometimes they have to be made
Life may be dull but find out the hidden bright moments (they may sometimes by very obvious)
Appreciate what you have
Try and work to become the person that you always aspire to be
Oh great! I have become a motivational writer…. ;-)
I would not describe here the trail of events that made me realize what I did. Because it really does not matter what brought about an awakening. What matters is the learning and the transformation within.
I failed; to understand the difference between a positive self esteem and self-importance turning to egotism; to identify the fine line between considering yourself worthy and considering others unworthy; to execute what I firmly believed in that luck favors those who put in the effort. And I have no regrets in confessing and accepting that I failed. They say that each failure is a step towards success. And so do I believe. However disturbing the implications of the revelation might be, it still is a revelation.
I wanted to run away from my flaws; I hoped them to be a nightmare; I expected everything to turn OK all by itself. How foolish I was.
So now on a few resolutions –
Stop being self obsessed and accept that you may be at fault
Stop ridiculing yourself even if you do commit a mistake
Learn to take a stand howsoever difficult it may seem
Come out of the comfort zone and face the world
And a few key learnings –
Decisions may be difficult but sometimes they have to be made
Life may be dull but find out the hidden bright moments (they may sometimes by very obvious)
Appreciate what you have
Try and work to become the person that you always aspire to be
Oh great! I have become a motivational writer…. ;-)
Saturday, May 31, 2008
The road less traveled...
“Two roads diverged in the woods, and I……..
I took the less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference!”
Robert Frost wrote these beautiful and inspiring lines which never fail to imbibe in the reader a confidence to go on with his / her decisions. Even though the decisions might not adhere to the rules and restrictions laid down by the masses.
How very unfortunate it is that the likes of me (even though I am also deeply inspired by these lines) whose mind is full of mischief can easily make out an entirely opposite translation or interpretation of such a masterpiece. Well, taking the less traveled path does indeed make a difference, but had it not been good if only the poet would have specified the difference to be on the positive side.
Oh, how foolish I am being. That would have erased the entire beauty of these poetic lines. The essence of poetry lies in the hidden, the unseen, and the unread. It is your interpretation, your perspective and understanding that makes it meaningful.
You can easily deduce that the difference in your life could not all be on the better side if you go on the road suggested by Mr. Frost. And seriously, to give it a thought, had it been all positive, beautiful and rosy, our poet would not have taken pains to pen these revolutionary thoughts in such a manner.
Yes, the road less traveled is the road to take. Not because it will give you all roses and happiness, but because it will ultimately turn your life meaningful. The path may be more dangerous, with unknown surprises which may be even hideous sometimes; it may be more testing in terms of requiring your effort and your time; it might give you pains which you would never have imagined; but in the end it is this path that will take you to your destination. Destination which is nothing but a revelation. A revelation that the end lies within the journey; that the ultimate rest comes with constant movement; movement which continuously gives and sometimes does take; it takes your body, your mind, your heart, your soul to live this journey.
Do I sound like I am trying to become a saint? I am not honestly. Its just that I have found within me a need for constant movement and energy, a need for regular rejuvenation, a continuous learning; only than can I call myself accomplished; only then can I call myself educated.
I took the less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference!”
Robert Frost wrote these beautiful and inspiring lines which never fail to imbibe in the reader a confidence to go on with his / her decisions. Even though the decisions might not adhere to the rules and restrictions laid down by the masses.
How very unfortunate it is that the likes of me (even though I am also deeply inspired by these lines) whose mind is full of mischief can easily make out an entirely opposite translation or interpretation of such a masterpiece. Well, taking the less traveled path does indeed make a difference, but had it not been good if only the poet would have specified the difference to be on the positive side.
Oh, how foolish I am being. That would have erased the entire beauty of these poetic lines. The essence of poetry lies in the hidden, the unseen, and the unread. It is your interpretation, your perspective and understanding that makes it meaningful.
You can easily deduce that the difference in your life could not all be on the better side if you go on the road suggested by Mr. Frost. And seriously, to give it a thought, had it been all positive, beautiful and rosy, our poet would not have taken pains to pen these revolutionary thoughts in such a manner.
Yes, the road less traveled is the road to take. Not because it will give you all roses and happiness, but because it will ultimately turn your life meaningful. The path may be more dangerous, with unknown surprises which may be even hideous sometimes; it may be more testing in terms of requiring your effort and your time; it might give you pains which you would never have imagined; but in the end it is this path that will take you to your destination. Destination which is nothing but a revelation. A revelation that the end lies within the journey; that the ultimate rest comes with constant movement; movement which continuously gives and sometimes does take; it takes your body, your mind, your heart, your soul to live this journey.
Do I sound like I am trying to become a saint? I am not honestly. Its just that I have found within me a need for constant movement and energy, a need for regular rejuvenation, a continuous learning; only than can I call myself accomplished; only then can I call myself educated.
Friday, May 30, 2008
In search of my “self”…………
“Who am I?” This is the question which has been bothering mankind since she (I use “she” here not with an intention to mark myself as a feminist. However, since there is no proof to show that the first form of human life was a male, I take the liberty of assuming that it was indeed female) first acknowledged her being in this universe, as a living organism, who though different in build, form and looks was no different from the other forms of life that populated the earth.
But since I am not here to decode Darwin’s theory of evolution, I would straightaway like to discuss what I am here for. Ahh…if that only could be simple enough. The question bothering me at this point in time is in no manner a straightforward or a simple one. I am putting the interrogatory mark on my “self”. But then again, what is the self that I talk about? Is it me….”Garima” as my parents named me. Or is it me “a Chartered Accountant” by profession? Or biologically is it me “a female human being”? Well, I know I am all of these, but are these or several other descriptions which may be thought of by a rational mind sufficient to describe my “self”?
I don’t think so. So, here I am, in a quest to answer the question which my soul is asking me. Its thirst cannot be quenched by the superficial that the world has bestowed on me, neither by any teachings, preaching’s, or lessons, nor by writing it out in words like these on this space. I am not a philosopher, not a poet. My instincts don’t depend on the work that I do, on the accounts that I audit. My satisfaction is not derived from the amount of salary I earn. My desires are not fulfilled by knowing that I am secure (financially and emotionally) and gifted with pleasantries of life. Then what is it that drives me? What is the force that upsurges at the slightest mention of being able to call myself fulfilled? I cannot decode it. Not yet. Not now. But one thing that I have understood is that I am somewhere in touch with my soul, my “self”. And this revelation tells me that I am still far from being what I “am”.
It’s true. I am somebody who I don’t know. And from now on a new search begins within me. A search to find out “who I am”? A search which I hope will never end but will keep on unfolding various parts of my soul to me. I Believe this would help me to lead a “contented” life. (I don’t say “happy”, because I am happy even now and I read that “happiness” is relative. One can never be completely happy, as happiness results from all desires being fulfilled. And mankind, as we know, can never have a list of desires that have all been fulfilled).
But since I am not here to decode Darwin’s theory of evolution, I would straightaway like to discuss what I am here for. Ahh…if that only could be simple enough. The question bothering me at this point in time is in no manner a straightforward or a simple one. I am putting the interrogatory mark on my “self”. But then again, what is the self that I talk about? Is it me….”Garima” as my parents named me. Or is it me “a Chartered Accountant” by profession? Or biologically is it me “a female human being”? Well, I know I am all of these, but are these or several other descriptions which may be thought of by a rational mind sufficient to describe my “self”?
I don’t think so. So, here I am, in a quest to answer the question which my soul is asking me. Its thirst cannot be quenched by the superficial that the world has bestowed on me, neither by any teachings, preaching’s, or lessons, nor by writing it out in words like these on this space. I am not a philosopher, not a poet. My instincts don’t depend on the work that I do, on the accounts that I audit. My satisfaction is not derived from the amount of salary I earn. My desires are not fulfilled by knowing that I am secure (financially and emotionally) and gifted with pleasantries of life. Then what is it that drives me? What is the force that upsurges at the slightest mention of being able to call myself fulfilled? I cannot decode it. Not yet. Not now. But one thing that I have understood is that I am somewhere in touch with my soul, my “self”. And this revelation tells me that I am still far from being what I “am”.
It’s true. I am somebody who I don’t know. And from now on a new search begins within me. A search to find out “who I am”? A search which I hope will never end but will keep on unfolding various parts of my soul to me. I Believe this would help me to lead a “contented” life. (I don’t say “happy”, because I am happy even now and I read that “happiness” is relative. One can never be completely happy, as happiness results from all desires being fulfilled. And mankind, as we know, can never have a list of desires that have all been fulfilled).
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