Emotions trip - Stop 1 (ANGER)

Last few weeks have pushed most of us to live and work in different circumstances than we were all used to in our lives. With change comes a flood of emotions. I have been witnessing some of these emotions in me, my friends, my family and so on. I thought I will write something to just plant some thoughts on handling these. Below is my 1^st attempt (a Short story that I wrote, ideally for Children; but we all can, hopefully use some of the lesson). I have a few other emotions that I would pen down stories, Anecdotes or notes about in the days to come, if you like this one. Please comment and share your thoughts. This is stop 1 on the Emotions Trip ....

And this is how the story goes…..

Cloud had always been a wanderer. Kept moving from one place to another. So, he could never have any friends. Also, him staying so much above most of the land did not make it easy to even get introduced to anyone. But one day while he was crossing the “Immaculate Island”, that changed. The “Glowing Mountain” on the island, that had its head always sticking closer to the cloud, smiled and said hello! Cloud had never been addressed directly by anyone, so it Did not know what to say. but soon it learnt, wanderers can pick a thing or two while roaming. That started a friendship between the mountain and the cloud which went on for no one know how long. 

One month when the weather had been unnaturally harsh, cloud returned to the island. The cloud must have been tired and upset over past days with weather harshness and lonely journeys. It looked too grey and gloomy. Mountain knew that when his friend cloud is grey; that means he is storing a lot and can rain very hard. But Mountain also knew that with already cold weather a harsh rain can harm the birds and animals occupying its slopes and caves. So, mountain asked cloud if he can spare the rain to save the birds and animals in the trees were already wary of the cold. Cloud was upset and in no mood to listen. He was already too grey, filled and ready to burst.

Mountain continued pleading with the cloud and that made cloud angrier; but somehow mountain missed seeing that. Then the mountain smiled and teasingly said, “My friend stop being stubborn and let me tell you something that will make you happy.”

But the clouds anger had grown, especially after hearing the word stubborn. He didn’t even acknowledge anything that mountain had said after that word. Cloud just got into a fit of rage and roared. And everyone know clouds roar is nothing but thunder. With the loud thunder a lighting bolt left the cloud and struck the peak of the mountain. Cloud in that moment realized that he had gone too far in his anger. But it was too late. The damage was done. Mountains head which always stayed closer to the cloud was already destroyed with the thunder bolt and rolling towards the feet of the mountain. 

That was the last time Cloud was addressed as " my friend". That one moment of anger had taken cloud’s only friend for all eternity. And cloud will live ages to mourn that and regret his anger.

The local folks on Immaculate island say, the cloud still regrets and always shed tears while crossing the Immaculate island and looking at the severed head of the only friend he had. Those tears fall as drizzle on the island giving life to all, but cloud could never get his friend back. Such is the consequence of anger.

Anger, if not controlled, is the moment of thunder striking the mountain, just one moment can cause ever-lasting damage.

Farmer's wisdom - Re-post

In the present situation, many of my friends have spoken about a feeling of loss and helplessness. We all feel that way to a certain degree these days. However, feeling negative does not help and can never yield good results. I am sharing an old post and hope this helps.

Farmer's wisdom applied on the fertile land of mind...no big words just some basic thoughts...hope someone will find it useful and if it can be of use for even one person...my writing and posting will be meaningful...... I intend to share more similar basics that I dearly call the positive thinking nuggets for quick and easy consumption...please comment and share your thoughts...

Thinking Positive is like growing a crop.  You have to sow the seed of positivity in prepared soil of your mind. And as any good farmer will tell you that a seed needs water’s moisture and soils warmth to sprout into a sapling which will grow into a plant. But on that journey you will need to nurture it with care and Patience. Save it from bugs and moths and weeds. Raise it to its maturity then only you will reap the produce. The reward of all that persistence is immense and lasting.

The farmer toils patiently.......

On the other hand Negative thoughts are like the weeds. All the need is open land and they will start their parasitic growth; eating out of the resources that are supplied for the intended crop. They are unwanted, useless and damaging but still they come uninvited. No effort is needed to raise them, but effort is needed to pluck them from the ground that they do not consume the nutrients and make the soil infertile for the intended crops (positive thoughts) to grow. Weeds as any farmer will tell you are very resilient, too stubborn to let go even in the worst weather conditions.

A good farmer will make sure that the two actions are always given equal importance. 

First action is to nurture the crop with toil and patience. 

Second action is to conscientiously remove the weeds. And when these two actions are meticulously done the result is a healthy crop, good yield and a fertile land for more quantities of good crop.

• Now on the soil of your mind
• Sow the seeds of positivity
• Nurture the sapling continuously feeding good thoughts and examples for it to grow and become a reservoir of good positive thoughts. 
• Make sure that any negative thoughts are plucked as soon as they start spreading their nasty roots on the fertile soil. 
• Remember those will not only damage the goodness of the positive thoughts but also weaken the soil of your mind. 
• Do that meticulously and continually to ensure that you reap crop after crop of good thoughts and May God be with you always on your endeavor to cultivate Positive thoughts.

Posted as https://nuancesofbeing.blogspot.com/2013/11/farmers-wisdom-1st-nugget.html  on Nov 18, 2013

New name of Fear - COVID-19

Fear is the feeling that has gripped the whole world. And the fear this time is spelled as COVID-19.

MAR 27 6 PM EST

Most of my conversations on phone, email, whatsapp and other means these days are centered around this new name of fear. I remember one thing that a part time Uber driver told me many years ago, “learn more about what you are afraid of and that knowledge will help you manage that fear.”

Last few days: more I spoke with people on COVID-19; more afraid I felt. And a lot of the fear has been due to the unknown around this Pandemic. But wait, Pandemic although we all think is caused by the virus; but in reality, it is not. Don’t discount my view before reading further please.

The virus can cause infection which can cause discomfort and even deaths; and the infection can spread. But, virus is capable and responsible for the infection and spreading it up to 6 feet of the infected. 

However, our habits as humans and our denial in many weeks of the start of the spread caused this to become the Pandemic. So, we humans are responsible to give life and the spread to this virus. We strengthened it by staying in denial and not exercising the needed restraints much earlier on. 

Remember; Virus is a living thing; but still needs a host to live and grow. In absence of a living host, virus dies. So, we could have done our part to stop this from growing into a Pandemic.

Sadly, there were people in bigger seats who termed it as a localized problem for one nation or even a foreign problem just ignoring the fact that virus do not need or care for the visas before travelling across borders. We all tax paying, law abiding citizens globally listened to them and went on with our daily routines to keep economy healthy. Healthy Economy is important to run the world that we live in; but Life itself is an equally important aspect if not more. 

Anyhow, from where I started; this Fear can be easily defeated if we know more about this virus and are committed to stay disciplined on our side of the fight. And then it is easy and can even be fun (Winning is always fun)

Know thy enemy (Novid Corona virus) – 

·         Novid Corona virus impacts upper respiratory system, causing damage to lungs. Can cause critical damage and death

·         It spreads only through bodily fluids (not airborne but if you are with in 6 feet of infected person, the droplets can travel that far easy through air, a sneeze can propel them to travel much farther). It enters our system through nose, mouth, and eyes mainly.

·         It can stay on surfaces from 3 hours to multiple days (depending upon type of surfaces)

·         An infected person can spread it even when they show no symptoms, and then some can carry it to another without showing any symptoms ever

·         Many symptoms are similar to other viral infections so getting confused is natural, but when in doubt, stop interacting with people (even family) and seek help from professional

·         DO NOT OVER FEAR – Just because COVID-19 started other diseases like common cold and flu didn’t stop happening

Know Thy friends (Yourself and your good habits are your best friends)

·         Personal Hygiene – 3 things Wash Hands, Wash hands, Wash hands – And wash them well.

·         Social Distancing – I confess I never heard this term till a few weeks before, but now I know it well. In plain words Stay away from people as much as you can, minimum 6 feet away is the norm. Stay away from unknown people, as you don’t know where they have been and what they have been exposed to. Avoid public places including grocery stores and parks

·         Build Immunity – This should have started way before the epidemic started but never too late, make good choices on food and exercise. Build mental immunity too and do not let the media, social media posts scare or depress you.

·         Love thy home – A lot of people are complaining about staying home, especially when forced by governments with a lock-down mandate; but remember “home is where your heart is” so put your heart really in the home. Do some basic things to start the love with home and family if not started already. We all get so busy with our lives and livelihood and our extended family as in co-workers and friends that at times our in-home interactions are stale and very routine. This is the time to change that. Some ideas here

·               Rediscover Board and card games (I never knew I still liked Sweep and Rummy so much till last night when I played a few hands with my wife, she beats be at this too, but losing to her is fun)

·               Know your family better – talk to your spouse and kids and your 4-legged family members too (4-legged family member is a term I have borrowed from a friend at work)

·            Rekindle an old hobby that you have been ignoring in the past (an indoor hobby in current circumstances)

·             Meditate and stay calm- Deep breathing can have amazing impact on body and nerves

·            Be thankful for technology and stay connected with friends and family and local governments (Don’t overdo on news as they can be depressing)

·            Try some yoga or indoor walking or stationary jogging or family/couple Zumba (again couple Zumba is a borrowed idea from my cousin) or dance, any thing that burns some calories and makes you happy

·         Listen to music, watch movies, read books

·        Office Work if remote working is an option and catch-up on pending items. Do better at work than you usually do while at office (it is doable I have finished some work related write ups that were always pushed to back burner for last many weeks)

Any battle when you know your opponent and when you know your own strengths, just follow through with right Discipline and your Victory is inevitable. To all humanity, we are going to win this and we are going to learn from this and we will survive and thrive and be better when we get to the other end of this battle.

I will leave you with a Song that had been one of my favorite when ever things look difficult and gloomy and it always lifts me up, It is by Londonbeat, It is called "You bring on the Sun" so listen to this if you find it

I'm watching the sun say good morning
Chasing all the shadows away
I stand face to face with tomorrow
Troubles lost in yesterday
Hey well the night seemed to last forever
The darkest hour just before the dawn!!

बस एक सोच

Reading about communal violence in India, at times kids ask who is right and who is wrong. I try to tell that it should not be a "Who" but a "What" question. 2 lines to just state that thought

ना हिंदु बुरा है ना मुसलमान बुरा है, 

बुरा जिसका ईमान वही इंसान बुरा है |

ना हिंदु अच्छा है ना मुसलमान अच्छा है,  

है भला  जो इंसान, वही इंसान अच्छा है |

Grand Canyon

Look around, the vast expanse of beauty will surely take your breath away and make you ask, HOW?

The theories by geologist are certainly there but none of them seem to be acceptable to mind. Philosopher, or the logical, or romantic or whichever way one defines oneself, they all come to one conclusion that theories do not justify the scenery and its creation.

That is Grand Canyon for you.

This was my 2nd time here, and I was even more awed and more mesmerized than the 1^st time. Hundreds of miles of stretch and thousands of feet depth and the turquoise blue river that seems to crawl through the canyon like a snake. But it is not crawling, it is gushing at top speed and roaring while it does the same. 

I agree with the Natives; who have called this place home for centuries; that all this is sacred. Also, I can’t argue against the theory that this can be the birthplace of life as we see. The energy that this place emits. The open arms invitation that it extends to everyone, welcoming to embrace all in a loving warm hug. You soak in the beauty. You be a part of it. You feel the connection, a connection that is way older than you or maybe even older than the human race. The nationality, the race, the language and many such things that we commonly tag ourselves with seem to lose significance.

Now some theories I heard

The sudden impact talks about two tectonic plates colliding and the force generated was so strong that it raised the whole area (thousands square miles) by  many thousand feet. And a canyon cut through.

The multi-million-year concept talks about the river painstakingly chiseling it down for more than 70 million years.

Then there is 2 rivers theory that talk about a possible ancient river flowing in opposite direction from the one that flows now. And the flood theory and the volcanic eruption theories.

But what do you accept? What do you believe? None of that syncs in as all of that is way beyond our reach of knowledge and strength. We, humans, being creatures of logic want more proof, want documentation, want a precise reason and not opposing theories. So, it leaves us wanting. I felt humbled by the vastness and my own existence in relation to that. I am sure I was not the only one in feeling that way.

Anyhow I did feel that whatever science tells, it all started with a creator who wanted to create something unique. With a hammer and chisel, chipping the rock. Slowly and deliberately. Shaping the formations, exposing the layers from the rock. Making curves and edges. Delivering some harder and forceful blows followed by many calculated soft hammerings. Inch by inch. Rock by rock. Stone by stone. Creating the landscape. And then one day millions of years later, the master creator stopped, kept the hammer and chisel away and walked. You may find somewhere the Hammer and Chisel; if you are committed to find. The work was done. It was complete. Actually, it had always been complete and the chisel and hammer could have stopped carving the rock any time. 

The creator then said, "you who will come one day may ask for documented proof. And I am giving you that. Not a scientific journal but a canvas with a million stories of its creation. You may ask and argue. Or you may just observe and witness and find your own theory, your own story. I want you to know, your story is right. As right as that of your friend. However different those two may be. Just carry your story with you. Sit around bonfire in the night and share your stories. Sing and dance and laugh. Speak and sing in different languages and still know that everyone understands."

"Live, that is what the canyon tells you. You will always feel small till you compare. But read my hammer strikes and you will know; you don't have to compare. You are a part of the vastness. You are one with the Canyon and the river below. You have been created with same pain and toil as the Canyon. Ask me because I did that too. Some of you name that effort as evolution. And evolution it is. So, go blessed and return some day to read more stories in these rocks. More stories to live and share and sing about."

I just shared my story with you. My theory, what I saw and decoded. Logical or philosophical or romantic or just insane, I don't know. I leave it to you to decide. But one day let us go back and explore more. Explore the next chapter of the stories, as I've told some of you, "I believe best stories are those that don't want to end"

Note: The Pictures above are taken by me, some in 2005 when I went to Grand Canyon for the 1st time and some in 2020, during my 2nd visit.

Welcome Twenty 20

2020 is officially here. And keeping the tradition (and my promise) I am going to recap the year that just ended. 

But first let me start by noting the significance of 2020. Especially with my South Asian roots, the term 2020 became a synonym of fun and excitement since the 1^st cricket world cup was played in year 2007, 1^st for the shortest version of the game. The T-20 or Twenty 20.

Now a quick flashback. 2019 had been a year of promises and fulfillment in many respects. 

However, unlike 2 years before 2019, the year went with lesser events. In a way a good thing, but at the same time, it had been so busy that reflecting and memorizing any events could not have been easy. “When moving at top speed, you miss the view around the road” that can sum up 2019 for me.

When 2019 started, I made a list of things. My to-do list at work and at home. But with each breath I took in 2019; a few days were gone. The time flew so fast that before I could even count the tasks on my list, the year turned. 

I was looking back, and realized, while keeping some promises with my world; I had missed on some self-promises made at the dawn of 2019. While some were okay to not fulfill, others made me pay for missing.

The best part, I think I made some new friends in 2019 and met some old ones. If you read my posts, you may remember the college reunion, I attended in July 2019. And another one that I didn't write about was meeting another friend after almost 25 years and realizing that for last 5 years we have been living less than 10 miles apart. 'Mental note; never get too busy that you forget to check with friends regularly.'

 

2019 also took me to Paris, 1st trip to Europe with the family during spring break. I am sure all four of us built some lifetime memories. 

And since the year had been busy at work, so tried to steal some time with family and meet the old friend, "Mickey Mouse" in his home in Orlando in the last week of the year. Reinforcing the belief that however difficult the situations might be, but a few days of uninterrupted family time makes things amazing. Like Mr. Walt Disney had said “A man should never neglect his family for business”  And I promise to not forget that it all started with a mouse (very potent teaching if one wants to learn)

As you can see not too many mention-able items in 2019, but hopefully 2020 will have many amazing stories to share. 

2020 as I said before, means fun and excitement guaranteed. Also, this year is extra special for another reason. Which I will speak of somewhere mid of the year. 

I will open door to 2020 with revived promises from last year with some added flavor -

·         ~Work for living and laugh to live (and live to laugh)

·        ~Stay always dependable (home or office); and show people around that they can count on you

·         ~Make more friends; and strengthen the bonds with old ones

     ~Value family; and continue supporting each other

·         ~Burn more than consumed (calories and stress); And celebrate the process

·         ~Write regularly; Really this time

·         ~Never give up on a chance to see the rising Sun; And find reasons to get the chance

·         ~Never miss a chance to share a story with the kids: and find reasons to tell the story

    ~Give back to Nature; after giving thanks 

·        ~Laugh – No reason needed

·         ~Pray – Life is the reason to pray

·         ~Celebrate – is the reason to be alive

·         ~Stay grateful – Always

And I am grateful to be back in twenties 😊

2020 here we are, let us make it memorable

अनंसीखे

I was talking to a friend lately, don’t think I could help, but tried to pen his dilemma in a few words. You know who you are my friend and you know you can change it, good luck to you and for all others read the lines below and say a prayer for my friend…

किसी दिन मिलो तो पूछेंगे, कैसे बिताई ऐसी वाली?

हसरत की तो क्या कमाया? इज़्ज़त उल्टा और गवा ली | 

खुद जब ख़ुदमुख़्तार रहे हो,

तो क्यूँ इतने झुक कर चलते हो?

लोग समझते हैं कमज़ोरी, यह आदत तुम्हारी अच्छाई वाली 

सोचो क्या सिखाओगे, जब खुद सीख़ के भी अनंसीखे हो?

मुस्काते हो, झूठे लगते हो, हँसी तुम्हारी नकली वाली 

क्यों कहने से इतना डरते हो?

क्या  खो जाने की फ़िक्र करते हो?

ग़र टूटे वह डोर थी कच्ची, कभी न थी भरोसे वाली | 

फिर एक बार सोच तो लो, क्यों जीते हो ऐसी वाली?

चैन लापता, होश भी ग़ुम, नींद ऊपर से और गवा ली 

मिलो तो सही  तब तो पूछें, कैसे बिताई ऐसी वाली?

Oh! by the way this should not be my new year post…will post something soon to welcome the turn of the year