धुंदला आइना

 

धुंधले आईने में चेहरा देखते थे

चेहरा ही धुंदला है, ऐसा सोचते थे

कभी चेहरा धोते कभी छुपाते

दाग हमेशा फ़िर भी दिख जाते

रोज़ चेहरे पे जाने क्या क्या  घिसते रहे

बेगैरत दाग़ अक्स में  रोज़ाना दिखते रहे

अब सालों बाद आईना बदला

तब बात कहीं समझ में आयी

चेहरा साफ था आईना धुंदला

चेहरे पे  दाग नहीं था भाई

अब किस्मत को बुरा कहें 

या बोलें वक़्त हमें छल गया 

आईना साफ मिला तो जाना

घिस घिस के चेहरा ही ढल गया

Let me know if you think that the mirror in my Poem above is always a mirror. Or what it can be if it is not a mirror !!!

Soap Bubble

Looked around, it is still dark outside the window, the dawn is a few minutes away. Should I sleep a few minutes more till the alarm rings or should I leave the bed now? The day starts with options. My wife is sleeping on the other side of the bed, may be not really sleeping, but making the same choice in her head. The kids are in their rooms, soon the morning drill, to wake them up and convince them to be ready for school on time, will start.
There were some unanswered work emails from last night which will need immediate attention once the kid’s situation is settled. The client meeting and the internal meeting to address the issues that happened yesterday are scheduled back-to-back with no time to prepare in between. Did I schedule the power bill and HOA payments as today is the last day of both, the mind chatter starts. And Before I take a step out of the quilt, the stress of daily routine has started building.

Another day! The mind says, as I sigh and labor to step out of the bed. Not fully ready for many of the battles that are waiting for me in the day.

I step out, pick my phone, and get to the morning news. 7.8 magnitude earthquake has hit Turkey and Syria is the headline. Thousands dead and tens of thousands missing, under the rubble. Many lost their lives, and many lost their loved ones, their homes, their assets, their life even though they are still alive.

Numbed, I look back at my wife who is going to kid's room to wake them up. I felt so small at feeling the misery about my day just a few minutes ago. Thanked God for yet another day. Yet another chance to talk and play with my kids. Yet another chance to love and argue with my wife. Yet another chance to talk to my parents and my brother. Yet another chance to build something at work. Yet another chance to be worried about things that now feel so insignificant after reading the news.

My heart cries for those who will not get that chance anymore. I offer my apology and gratitude to God for myself. And a prayer for the souls of those who didn’t get that chance that I and millions other have. Those who lost life or lost their reasons to live in the earthquake.

Such is life, don’t take it for granted. Make the most of it, while you have it. Be kind to others and to yourself. I tell myself. I know soon I will become so busy with routine that this advice will faint again.

I will continue to pray for those who perished in the earthquake and those who survived and are left with an unexplainable and unfillable in their heart. May they all be healed. Amen!!!!

 Over 22,000 dead from quake in Turkey and Syria https://www.cnn.com/middleeast/live-news/turkey-syria-earthquake-updates-2-10-23-intl/index.

Note: Wrote this a few days back but didn't have courage to post. Finally sharing today knowing that one's existence can cease in the moment when Almighty decides, such is life, just as fragile as a soap bubble. And one can still rise up like bubbles do while they are intact. That is Almighty's grace as well making the bubble float in air and rise without having wings. One should stay grateful till one exists. 

The pictures of rubble left after earthquake are from internet

From Back of My Notebook -10

Usually it takes a lot longer to scribble and fill a page at the back of the Notebook.
But this time in last few days the page got filled and demanded to be shared. The lines below are on the importance of readiness. Please read and share your thoughts.

Score card is a product of the game you played and game you play is a product of training before game.

No game results in final victory or loss as long as one is committed to training more and continue playing

The art of losing a game without losing the trust in one's ability to play better in future creates champions

Every battle is different so one may not be able to win a battle based on learnings from past wins or losses

Most important is how well one wields the sword when one is in the battle field. And how one trained oneself on wielding the sword before the battles.

Equally important to the art of wielding the sword is the skill to pick the right weapon. For a super skilled swordsman, the sense of choosing and using a shield may become more important when facing an archer

Equally important to picking and using the right weapon is the faith in one's worthiness to win

The hard fought battle or game may sore the muscles and bruise one's body, but those who keep their spirit and faith unhurt are the ones whose stories are told

A game, a battle, a job and many other areas may appear different but the same basic principles apply to all. And getting good at these principles can help in more areas than one.

A Bonus note Below, hope you are able to connect with this one

I Always made the best decisions, not right always but best always

The last one is kept as a conversation starter, so let us start a conversation

 

 

 

  

Last 9 pages form back of my notebook Below, in reverse chronological order

From-back-of-my-notebook-9
From-back-of-my-notebook-8
From-back-of-my-notebook-7
From-Back-Of-My- notebook-6
From-Back-of-my-notebook-5
From-back-of-my-notebook-4
From-back-of-my-notebook-3
From-Back-of-my-Notebook-2
From-Back-Of-my-Notebook-1 

 

 

Welcome 2023

 This one sprinted even faster than the last few, but what a ride 2022 had been!!

Starting with the light being brighter on the end of the Covid tunnel, strengthening the hope that the world is moving out soon. The hope came to fruition towards later part of the year, but did it? Fresh fear from the east of the globe, started bringing the masks back on store shelves and on top of our noses in the malls by December.

But 2020-2021 prepared us to handle the Covid situation better, collectively as a team, the whole human race. Hope you say Amen to that.

On a personal front 2022 had an interesting travel itinerary. A maiden trip to Aruba in spring. And another maiden trip, this time to Hawaii in winter.  

Two beautiful islands in two different oceans, on 2 different sides of continental USA. All that contrast and yet the natural beauty, the blue of waters, the roar in waves, the warmth in people was identical. Such harmony in spite of the vast distance is greatly inspiring.

Between these two there was a trip to India to meet the family. Travelled to Amritsar after more than 10 years. Prayed in the Golden Temple, a shrine that I used to see daily and visit most of the days. Offered prayers and hope that those prayers will be answered.

 

Had my poetry collection book launched and received real fan mail this year.
I was over joyed and humbled at the same time. God has been very kind. Seems some prayers were being heard.

Although some events of 2022 suggest that a lot more Prayers are needed.

Stock market drop caused heart ache to many in 2022. Pray that world economy improves.

A scarier situation, had been the war in Ukraine. Pray that war ends soon, and cease to harm the humanity more.

There has been the civil uprising in Iran. What are they demanding?  Simplistically put the demand is basic human rights. How can any regime in this day and age suppress that? Pray that their basic right to live without fear is restored and no more loss of life and innocence is needed on that account.

A lot on personal and work and world front that defined 2022, but all that is over with the new dawn of new year. The book has turned the page, starting now is chapter 2023. Let us see what is written in the pages to come. A whole 365-page chapter. Good news, there is a lot unsaid on those pages, we all will write our own stories on those. Pray that we write good ones.

With this hope and prayer, I turn the page and welcome 2023. Please continue to share what you write in your book and I promise I will share mine.

Let us make it an Awesome chapter for all.

Let us all Pray as we Welcome 2023!!!

 

वक़्त की फितरत

 

वक़्त से दिल को लगा तो  ले मगर

वक़्त की फितरत है बदल जाता है

दिल बेचारा, मायूस  हो जाये तो 

फ़िर मुश्किल ही संभल पाता है

हम भी कभी तो बरामदे में बैठ कर 

वक़्त बदलते देखने का हुनर सीख लेंगे

दिल को वक़्त की गिरफ्त से आज़ाद कर के 

आरामकुर्सी पे, अलसाए तमाशाई बन के 

वक़्त की करवाटों का लुत्फ़ लेंगे

और तब वक़्त को मुनासिब लगा तो

एक आध लम्हा  उस से दिल भी लगा लेंगे,

मगर वक़्त की फितरत है बदल जाता है

Bike Ride and Spotty the Street Dog

It was many years ago, I remember it vaguely.

I had just learned to ride a bicycle. I will not tell what age I was. Just that I was still considered in the kids team by my family and neighbors.

I was a little afraid to ride the bicycle. But it was also a lot of fun, sprinting on the bicycle on the empty road while the cold wind bathes the face with freshness. The joy of riding was greater than the fear of riding the bicycle.

But at that age there was another fear which had no solution. That was the fear of street dogs. In the hindi movie Sholay*, Veeru warned not to dance in front of dogs (basanti en Kutton ke samne mat Nachna) but did not tell how big a risk it is to ride a bicycle in front of dogs. If he had warned then this story might not have happened.

Remember, when the street dogs, tired of the barking most of the morning, are seen lazing in the corner of the street, they are not really lazing around. They are just bored, because hardly anyone would come out in the street on a summer afternoon. And they're just looking for someone to come and entertain them.

One such summer afternoon, the newfound joy in riding compelled me to take the bicycle

in the street. There was so much enthusiasm in the heart to ride on the bicycle, that this Arjun# saw the emptiness of the street like a bird's eye, even that Arjun did not see what was around the bird and this Arjun (me) also did not see anything more than the empty inviting street. There must have been some twigs and leaves in his destiny, but for me there were dogs sitting there. Waiting for someone like me to come and make their afternoon enjoyable.

Sitting on the bicycle, I started paddling soon the wind was swooshing past my ears as if talking to me. This Arjun (me) was so engrossed in talking to the wind that he did not even realize when the dogs had left their corner. Then after a few minutes I was faced with the truth, when I realized that I was riding the cycle not for my fun but for the entertainment of the dogs. That moment of realization turned the fun of cycling in the afternoon to a game of life and death in a moment. That is when I learnt that many things could inspire kids to rise above themselves, which are not mentioned in any books. I swear I have never ridden a bicycle at that speed before.

And one by one where my cycle was leaving behind many streets of the city, one by one

the dogs were also returning in desperation. And after 10 minutes only me and Spotty were left. His inspiration was probably bigger than mine. Both of our legs were getting tired, and our speed was decreasing, but probably it was impossible for either one of us to stop.

This went on for a few more minutes and then his stubbornness started taking a toll on my life. The gap between the cycle and Spotty was narrowing, and he suddenly pounced, probably with all his might. After all, I was a child, how could have I saved my self, so when he pounced, I fell in a huff.

Now the scene on the road was that I fell panting in a corner. My limbs getting weak, probably like Arjun must have been while lifting Gandiv # in the battlefield. Some distance away is my bicycle. On the other side of the bicycle is Spotty. We both are looking at each other through the cycle in the middle. Now the question is what does he want? Spotty is a city dog, not a predator at all. He grew up eating stale bread that my mother has been feeding him and his buddies over the years. He also knows that he is not a Predator. If he is not the predator, then I am not the prey. And if all this is true then why be afraid? Then my mind shifted spotlight on the bicycle at the center stage of this scene. But what will he do with the bicycle? I asked in my head.

I laughed out loud and asked him, Now you have caught it so go take it too, the gesture was towards the bicycle. He understood my joke. He got up, smelled the bicycle, and returned towards the lane where this chase had started.

I got up, dusted off my clothes, picked up my bicycle, slowly started walking towards home. That moment I learnt, that when the dog chases your bike, he has no clue what he will do, if he catches it.

If you observe people criticizing you without any reason, just remember the scene narrated above. And ask yourself, if they stop this cycle, and even pull you down, will they be able to ride the bike themselves. (And of course, here by bike, I mean the task or act on which such people are criticizing you and pulling you down) If the answer is no, then ride your cycle carefree, enjoy the wind on your face, and when some such person pulls you down, then look in their eyes smile and ask, "Now what?". After this, pick up the cycle with confidence, ride it again and then enjoy it, until someone else some other day may pounce. The joy of life can also found in such moments.

  

·        *Sholay – Most iconic hindi movie from seventies

·        # Arjun – Greatest Archer and Prince from Mahabharta (Hindu Scriptures)

·        Gandiv – Arjun’s Bow that won him many battles (but during the Battle of Mahabharta, Arjun started having self-doubt hence the reference of Weak limbs while lifting Gandiv, his Bow)

साइकिल और चितकबरा

 IF you are not able to read in Hindi this story's english translation is at https://nuancesofbeing.blogspot.com/2022/12/bike-ride-and-spotty-street-dog.html 

बहुत साल पहले की बात है, कुछ धुंदली सी याद है.

मैंने नया नया साइकिल चलाना सीखा था. तब मेरी उम्र क्या थी वो मैं नहीं बताऊंगा. बस इतना कि मैं अभी भी घर और मोहल्ले में बच्चों वाली टीम में था.

साइकिल चलाना थोड़ा मुश्किल लगता था इस लिए थोड़ा थोड़ा डर था मन मे. पर मज़ा भी बहुत आता था, ठंडी ठंडी हवा से चेहरे को नहलाते हुए खाली रास्ते पे तेज़ी से साइकिल भगाना. साइकिल का मजा, साइकिल के डर से कहीं बड़ा था.

 पर उस उम्र में एक और डर था जिसका कोई हल नहीं था. वो था गली के कुत्तों का डर. शोले में वीरू जी ने कुत्तों के सामने ना नाचने की ताकीद तो दी पर यह नहीं बताया कि कुत्तों के सामने साइकिल चलाना कितना बड़ा जोखिम है. बताते तो शायद यह कहानी ना बनती

 गली के सब कुत्ते गर्मी की दोपहर में दिन की भोंका भोंकी से थक कर जब गली के नुक्कड़ में सुस्ताते दीखते हैँ, तब दरअसल वह  सुस्ता नहीं रहें होते, पर उब कर बैठे होते हैं, क्यों कि गर्मी कि दोपहर में कम ही कोई बाहर आता है. और उन्हें मनोरंजन के लिए किसी की तलाश होती हैं

 उस दिन साइकिल के नये नये मज़े ने मुझे छुट्टी के दिन भरी दोपहर में मजबूर कर दिया गली में साइकिल ले कर निकलने को. दिल में इतनी उमंग थी साइकिल पे उड़ने की, कि इस अर्जुन ने गली का खालीपन देखा चिड़िया  की आँख कि तरह, आस पास क्या था वह उस अर्जुन ने भी नहीं देखा था और इस अर्जुन ने भी नहीं देखा. उसकी किस्मत मे कुछ टहनिया , पत्ते रहें होंगे, पर मेरे लिए उब के बैठे कुत्ते थे. इस इतज़ार में कि कोई मुझ सा आये तो उनका दोपहर का मज़ा बने.

 साइकिल पे बैठ के मैंने पाव चलाये और हवा से गुफ़्तगू शुरू हो गयी. अर्जुन हवा से बात करने में इतना मशगूलहुआ कि कब कुत्ते अपना कोना छोड़ चुके थे इस का पता भी ना लगा. फिर कुछ मिनट बाद सच से सामना हुआ, जब समझ आयी कि मैं साइकिल अपने लिए नहीं कुत्तो के मनोरंजन के लिए चला रहा था. फिर क्या था वो दोपहर कि साइकिल मस्ती एक लम्हे में जिंदगी और मौत का खेल बन गयी. उस दिन समझ में आया कि कई  चीज़ें बच्चों को प्रेरणा दें सकती हैं, अपने आप से ऊपर उठने की, जिनका ज़िक्र किताबों में नहीं होता. कसम से मैंने इतनी तेज़ साइकिल पहले कभी नहीं चलाई थी.

और एक एक कर के जहाँ मेरी साइकिल शहर की कई गलियों को पीछे छोड़ रही थी, वहीँ एक एक कर के कुत्ते भी हताश हो वापिस लौट रहें थे. और 10 मिनट बाद सिर्फ मैं, और चितकबरा रह गये. उसकी प्रेरणा शायद मुझ से भी बड़ी थी. पाँव थक रहे थे हम दोनों के, और रफ़्तार कम हो रही थी, पर शायद रुकना दोनों के लिए नामुमकिन था.

 कुछ और मिनट यह चला और फिर उसकी ज़िद मेरी जान पे भारी पड़ने लगी. साइकिल और चिकबरे में फांसला कम हो रहा था, और वो अचानक झपटा, शायद अपनी सारी ताकत लगा के. मैं आखिर बच्चा था कितना बचता, वो झपटा तो मैं हड़बड़ा के गिर गया.

 अब सडक पे मंज़र यह था कि एक कोने में मैं  गिरा हांफ रहा हूँ. अंग शिथिल पड़ रहें हैं शायद  जैसे अर्जुन के रणभूमि में गाण्डीव उठाते समय रहें होंगे. कुछ दूर मेरी साइकिल है. साइकिल के उस और है चितकबरा. हम दोनों एक दूसरे को साइकिल के बीच से देख रहें हैं. अब सवाल यह है कि इसे चाहिए क्या. शहर का कुत्ता हैं, शिकारी कतई नहीं. मेरी मम्मी कि फ़ेंकी ब्रेड पे पला है. उसे भी पता है वह शिकारी नहीं हैं. अगर वह शिकारी नहीं तो मैं शिकार नहीं. और अगर यह सब सच है तो इतनी दौड़ क्यों? तब आँखों के बीच से दिखा साइकिल. पर साइकिल का यह क्या करेगा? 

 मैं ज़ोर से हंसा और उस से कहा, अब पकड़ लिया तो चला भी लो इसे, इशारा साइकिल के तरफ था. उसे मेरा
मज़ाक समझ आ गया था. वो उठा साइकिल को सूंघा और झेप के अपनी गली तो तरफ मुड़ गया. 

 मैंने उठ के कपड़े झाड़े, और साइकिल उठाई, धीरे धीरे घर की तरफ चलाना शुरू किया. और तब जान गया कि कुत्ता जब पीछे भागता है तो पता उसे भी नहीं होता कि वह साइकिल पकड़ लेगा तो करेगा क्या?

 अगर कभी कोई बिना बात के आपकी टांग खींचे या टोके, तो आप मेरा यह किस्सा याद करें और खुद से पूछें, अगर यह साइकिल रोक लेंगे, और  गिरा भी देंगे, पर क्या वह खुद साइकिल चला पाएंगे. (और ज़ाहिर है यहाँ साइकिल से मुराद है वो काम जिस पे ऐसे लोग आपको टोक रहे हों)  अगर लगे नहीं, तो बेफिक्र साइकिल पे पैर चलाये, चेहरे पर हवा का लुत्फ़ लें, और जब वह झपट के आपको गिरा दें, तो उनकी आँखों में आँख डाल कर पूछें, " अब क्या ? ". इस के बाद मज़े से साइकिल फिर उठाये, फिर चलाएं और फिर मज़ा ले, जब तक कोई दूसरा झपटा ना मारे. जिंदगी का मज़ा ऐसे लम्हो में भी मिल जाता है.