Quietude

25 F, freezing rain and icy condition causing the livelihood to still, a sense of silence all around. A temperature drop of 45 deg in two days gets everyone locked up in their houses, strangled without power and food. Such is the blow of mother nature when it just begins to cool and none prepared for that. Looking out from my apartment I still wonder why the roads are not clear yet, why the livelihood is not active yet. But somewhere I see it as a signal, a green one to put the thinking hat on and realize the amount of silence around. The only sounds around one has are the clock's tick and the cell phone beeps.
Despite all these sounds, sometimes it feels there're countless sounds in the mind going on. Does the mind ever take a pause from thinking or passing a thought? A perfect moment to realize the whats, whens, hows and whys. Funny how the emptiness around symbolizes there's no space left in the mind unless all the thoughts are cleared out. And how the cloudy, gloomy weather relates to the mental clouds that need to be cleared to make way for the new day and welcome the bright sunlight. Sometimes in life we wait for such moments to figure out all the questions yet to be answered, all the problems yet to be solved and let mind do the talking. Although we believe nature's red signal to go out and getting locked isn't a good one, but it actually is a green signal for the mind to turn on the cruise control and accelerate. Sit still and let it take you to the highest mountain; no ride will be meaningless, no progress will be straight one and no compulsions will even persuade. Boundless, Limitless let it enjoy the pleasure of consciousness, sympathy and inner toughness. Soon there shall be light, soon it'll be bright and soon it'll be a new day. A new day, a new beginning and a fresh mind to begin with. Let there be sunlight and let the noise begin. Enjoy the Quietude while you can because soon the clouds will start forming. 

Kshay

Haath pakdi ne aagal vadhvani vaat bhuli,
Jindagi ni aa daud ma ekal bhaagi
Ae Maanav tu kya kshay thai rahyo che?

Saathe besi jaman karvani vaat bhuli,
Sabhando na swad ne padte muki
Ae Maanav tu kya kshay thai rahyo che?

Hamesha sampark ma rehvani vaat bhuli,
Karyart ni samasya ne haathe lai
Ae Maanav tu kya kshay thai rahyo che?

Khushi na palo sajavani vaat bhuli,
Nirarthak yaado ne padkhe muki
Ae Maanav tu kya kshay thai rahyo che?

Suraj jevu naseeb chamkavani vaat bhuli,
Varsaad ma akarm na ashru ne vehta muki
Ae Maanav tu kya kshay thai rahyo che?

Ishwar samakash namvani vaat bhuli,
Graho ni mayajaal no saharo lai
Ae Maanav tu kya kshay thai rahyo che?

Maa-Baap na khola ma suvani vaat bhuli,
Mehlo ma rehvana na swapna chani
Ae Maanav tu kya kshay thai rahyo che?

Khushi na ashru bahavani vaat bhuli,
Dukh ni samasyao ne yaad raakhi
Ae Maanav tu kya kshay thai rahyo che?


 

Our Love's in full bloom

Your dad was 3 years old when he held me in his arms. He nurtured me for 27 years and when I took you in my arms, felt like the circle is just complete yet. Born to two of the most beautiful people on the Earth, you bring us bundles of joy and give us those moments that we wish to re-live every breath we take. There aren't enough words defined in the dictionary that can express our love towards you. Welcome to this world Aanshi and lets get ready for the game, Chachu's gonna take you for the Lakers training camp!!

Message from the Sky

It was thunderstorms all over in Wylie and Roger still had some ground to cover before reaching home. Scattered T-storms, mighty winds, zero visibility and broken posts questioned his mind with how far could he drive. Overlooking the sight of wrecked cars and trees, he decided to take the next exit and pull over to the nearest gas station. Roger tried to check his cell phone to find the nearest hotel but no network. He thought he’ll get into the gas station to see if they had a local phone he could use and get something to eat and drink. Unfortunate the line was dead, neither was the attendee aware of any hotels around. He decided to stay in his car or take shelter under the gas station roof for a while. Bored in the car he walked towards the gas station and he saw a tattered person. Standing from a distance the man asked if he had a light, Roger walked towards him and offered him a cigarette.

Roger: Crazy night huh!!

Man: Yap, just another thunderstorm.

Roger: Just another? Are you crazy? This is like one of the worst I’ve seen in ages.

Man: I have seen worse than this.

Roger: You don’t look that old, what year was it?  

Man: Twelve years ago.

Roger: May be I missed it. I’ve been here for more than ten years now. I haven’t seen anything like this before.

Man: Yap. Born and raised for fifty two years in Wylie. How was your day?

Roger: It was okay. The storms made it worse.

Man: Blame it on the Mother Nature!

Roger: Well I’m not blaming, just had a bad day and thought would relax when I reach home and I’m still standing here talking to a stranger. You think this is a good day?  

Man: Thunderstorms had nothing to do with you having a bad day. Face the problem that you’ve right now and deal with the other one when you’ve to.

Roger: Who are you? Do you even know what happened at work?

Man: No. And do you think I care? Why would it matter if you got fired or had a fight or you didn’t get your lunch or you were humiliated in front of thousands of colleagues? Do you think I care?

Roger: Whatever man. I just had some personal issues and then I actually happen to take it all out on one of my colleague for his mistake.

Man: You paid him for that?

Roger: What?

Man: Did you pay him for that? Did you pay him to listen to whatever your mind exploded onto?

Roger: No!! Are you crazy? Who does that?

Man: Then who explodes on the colleague for his personal issues or small problem?

Roger: Well it wasn’t a small problem. It was his mistake.

Man: That’s your opinion. And you just blasted out everything on him thinking he created a crime just because you were already out of your mind and let the person face it. Why?

Roger: I’m not saying a word to you.  

Man: You think you had a bad day, ask your colleague how horrible his day would be, when for a small mistake of his you created a scene and made him feel like a total worthless douche.

Roger: That’s not right.

Man: It was your personal problem, you couldn’t handle it and if someone came to you with another small problem, you just puked it on him and you think you are having a bad day? No, my friend; your colleague is having even worse day. And he doesn’t blame the Mother Nature. Instead he blames you for making his day worse because you couldn’t control your mind; you didn’t know how to clear your mind off before talking to him. You are responsible for sorrowing people’s hearts because you cannot control your mind, neither can you control your anger nor watch your words. Who’s a total worthless douche now? You won’t have an answer because according to you, someone made it a bad day, Mother Nature ruined it further. But you cannot accept the fact that you cannot handle your mind and your words. Remember a stretched angry mind can never be handled by anyone but yourself, and if you fail to do so you hurt everyone yet think it was their fault.  

Man: When you look in a mirror, what do you see? Do you see what the others see? Chances of that happening are less. You always look at yourself and not what others can criticize you for. When those who know and love you are prepared to be flexible and accommodating, why do you still aggravate to someone thinking you are right and other person’s wrong. Why can’t you have an open mind and say, let it be. That’s precisely the message from the sky to you every single moment.

Man: You would be thinking why even am I listening to this homeless guy, but let me tell you something, few years back when I was as nicely employed as you are, I had a family that I loved. I worked as hard as you do and enjoyed being with my family as much as I could. One fine day I had a bad day at work and had an argument with my wife over the food she cooked for me; I lost my mind and asked her to leave. I didn’t know what was going on in my mind but I just couldn’t stand her arguments because I found them baseless. I thought I was right and she was wrong or she’s trying to defend herself with stupid arguments. When I look back, I realize my arguments were baseless and hers’ were just a way to cool me down so that I can flush it off. I wanted to prove that I was right and she was wrong but what do I see now? A victim of my own mind! All these years I just wished to take back those words but when angry, the words spoken are so loud that the other person never forgets a piece.  

Roger: I’m sorry man. I didn’t know you had to face so much.

Man: It’s alright. I quit my job and I’m still paying her the alimony amount year by year. You think I’m a homeless person? I’ve a house right round the corner. But without them, I would rather prefer sitting here and meet people like you than talk to those empty walls. That is my way to punish myself. That’s the message from the sky I receive every single moment.

Roger: Smirks I didn’t know you had such a past.

Man: It’s not my past; it’s my perception of looking at things. She would have a different perception and so would you.

Roger: Alright, the sky seems to be getting clear now. Seems like a message to me?

Man: I’m glad you start seeing that.

Roger: I’ll start driving then, can I drop you somewhere?

Man: Nah, that’s alright. I’ll be fine.

Roger: Sure?

Man: Nods. You be good.

Meeting days

There are times you may feel like walking barefoot, comforting your friends, or playing with children. Times where you feel even strong despite having forces against you. The love, the care and their hefty blessing gives you enough momentum to stand tall, come what may. There's a tenderness and openness in the air that affects everyone. It would be like beautiful sunny day that you would have always missed, an unhealthy weekend brunch with the pals. There's the cool breeze exciting you all over again, with the late night talks by the cafe. It will be like a wonderful day in the country, where everyone is happy to see each other, hug, and tell old family stories for the hundredth time. Pleasant connections let you tune in to individuals and spread the charm and goodwill. These days make young people laugh and old people smile.

Patience

For the sake of most who lose it at intervals, for some who test it, for some who do not know how to use it; patience resembles your inner self at peace. Patience is a virtue obtained by battling with the negative forces of anger, frustration, depression and downfall. History has it, no battle was won without struggles; such is the victory of patience, never was it earned easily or an early stage.
Be it an annoying person on the other end, vertically down or horizontal road to success, facing a tough time, losing something right in front of your eyes, unable to lose weight, unable to regain form, stuck in the wrong job or partner, everything adds up to the withdrawal of effectively handling situation. The more you dwell in it, the deeper you stride in your struggles. A pinch of patience tweaks the situation, it gives fresh air to the mind, a new direction to thought process, a mode to find an alternate solution. Patience might not guarantee the correct solution but it gives you strength to think of a quasi-correct solution. It gives you few more minutes to think of an alternative. Patience can be all bitter but its fruit is sweet.
Act of patience:
Step 1 :- Silences your mind from negative vocals. -SETS THE GROUND
Step 2 :- Takes a step back from the current position and gives you a broader view of the pit - IDENTIFIES POSSIBLE CAUSE TO THE PROBLEM
Step 3 :- Provides a set of solution that you can take - PREFERRED ACTION
Step 4 :- Makes your mind evolve a step further on what could happen with each action - CONSIDERS THE CONSEQUENCES
Step 5 :- Choose the right path - ACTION
Not always do we think of the consequences before taking the action, but a patient mind catches the upcoming storm and lets you see the real blessings in achieving beyond your force. Such is the virtue of patience, that makes you believe in yourself. Always!
Some might snub you down to an idle, introvert or a loser, but people who point at you are the ones who often annoy you and lose at critical decision making. They like to pull the trigger too soon but do not understand the value of few minutes. Those who lose patience, lose their soul. Patience can and will always give you a better path to chose. For those who do not value the patience, should not risk the fury of a patient man!

Add-wise/Add-vice

To counsel, suggest, recommend or offer an opinion is way easier than helping. Should someone resist himself in giving the expert aid? Should they be looking at themselves first? As a grown up matured human being, the best you could do to yourself is to know better than advising people. It is easier said than done and often people do not stop before showering advises and walk the talk. Not always is the person ready to listen to you, nor he is in the mood to get it from someone living a similar or a minimal life.
You never know what the person is going through or the condition he fights be it mental or physical. It is easy to speak from a distance, but tough to be in his/her shoes and fight it. Just because the listener is patient doesn't mean you bring him down with your wises. You wouldn't even know but your minutest piece of care or generosity would be aggression and a blow on his face. Stop! Even if you care, there's a way of putting things, there's a time to do it and there are only few instances to do it. Respect the person and do not test his patience with your wises. Your wises change into vices and in the slightest count of hour, you rank the last person he would look up to in any situation.
Have faith in the person the way he handles situation. Truth is, everyone is a self-made person in this world. You were not born genius, nor was the one in the cradle next to you. Let the person live the life his way, on his terms, on his strengths. Unless he serves his misery for food at your place, do not oblige him with your wises. Nobody is interested in knowing how he should carve his life, unless it comes from his family. Let the man live, let the man find the strength and struggle with his patience. He will emerge as a winner. Help him if you care before he starts disrespecting you for your advises. It really doesn't matter if you are an extrovert or an introvert, sensitive or intuitive type, thinking or feeling personality, judging or perceiving. It doesn't make up to the excuse. Unless you lived your life happily for six, seven or eight decades or belong to the clan of superhuman, stop yourself from nagging the other person before he turns his back.
Even in your slightest belief he belongs to the troglodytes, then you belong to the same place in his belief.
You wouldn't be knowing in stabbing someone with your advises; remember silence is a sharper sword.

“A wise man is superior to any advises which can be put upon him, and the best reply to unseemly behavior is patience and moderation.”

Who am I? - A Sportsman's journal!

As I look through the empty fields; I remember the last shot i made, the last brisk I had on this ground, the last shout out to victory, the last hug by the team, the last walk towards the locker room, the last wave to the crowd and the tidal wave  noise of millions watching me play and the last interview by the reporters. Until today I ruled the game, the team and the center of play. Millions flocked on the ground or television sets to watch me play, to cheer for me, wearing my shirts, posting my images everywhere and talking about me on various networking sites, analysts and critics talking about my game, reporters preparing their questions. This was the roar until I observed the curtains closed.
As I look through the empty fields; I recollect the times I spent right from my first score to the last shot I made, friends I made on and off field, fans cheered in riotous manner, teams eagerly waited for my trade, reporters waiting with their mikes, companies wanted me to advertise the product, changes in the teammates and coaches and my relationship with everyone, workout sessions and moral talks, jaunt from rookie to the leader, a  player to a strategist, a listener to a motivator, a friend to a competitor and a champion. The never ending thoughts pauses for a final thought, Who am I and what will I be tomorrow?
It will be just another morning with my family, friends at gym and practice, but what changes then will be the thought of what I will be tomorrow. This feeling is not the thunderous music of the crowd, it's not the hand-wringing moments of my sweaty palms but an inner voice of reinvention. A voice which makes a smooth move towards the practicing court, the flushed news channel on predicting my next step. Truth is: I am just a normal human being like anyone and everyone and I lived the same life. Stardom came my way to the passion I shared for the game and the determination to go the extra mile. I was just another kid in the neighborhood and as I walk out I see the very next kid as a superstar; not because he wants to play like me, because I was just like him and I had the same twinkling eyes watching the legends play.
To people it would be the reincarnation, to the news reporters it would be getting ready for coaching, to the news channels it would be a stage for being the next game analysts and their approach to sign the contract. But it's not the same for me. It's not what is being portrayed to the rest of the world and not living up to anyone's expectations. When I'll look at myself, it'll be the same person eating string cheese since seventh grade, a friend to count 100 to 1 after 9 beers, a son who drives 350 miles for a family dinner, a dad who crafts kids' life in the disciplined manner, a husband helping in wife's shopping, a brother laughing at the craziest childhood thing and a student listening to the trainer.

It's not the end of road or beginning of one. It's about driving on the same road all your life with the morale of being what you are and what you believe in.

Games ended, Passion didn't.