Fabric

How often have you heard the question, "What good deed did you do today?", or advised, "You should do one good deed everyday". I guess we all are familiar with these. Why do people say such things? Why can't we be bad? Being bad is much much easier than being good. Still why do we have Mother Teresas and Nelson Mandelas as our idols? This post isn't about fabrics, but the small fabrics of life that we sometimes ignore in the humdrum of life.

Here is another of my experiences. It just happened today so its still fresh in my mind.
After a hectic and tiring, but satisfying day at work, I came down our office building. It was raining outside. I quickly thought of getting a shared auto, instead of a bus as I'd have been snug in the auto and would have to spend only 3 extra rupees for it. So I just came on the road and waved my hand at everything that went past me. It was too late before I realized that I had waved at an auto which usually takes single passengers and is more expensive. He stopped for me. I thought about not going up to him as he'd ask for much more than what I usually spend. Still I went up to him and asked him if he would go to Sholinganallur(the place I am staying). He said something in tamil which i presumed to be, "come sit". But when I asked him for the fare, it did not surprise me when he asked for 40 bucks. So I just told him that I could not give him that much, and went on back looking for a shared auto. He then called me back and asked what amount I was ready to pay. I knew that after hearing the amount I had in mind, he'd just disappear. So I just told him I couldn't pay over 10 rupees. Even for that he asked me to sit. I was surprised. I wanted to reassure if he had heard what I said properly so I repeated the amount thrice. And he just nodded and asked me to sit.

I was sitting in the auto and looking at the buildings passing by, thinking of what I did today and what work would be assigned to me tomorrow. Suddenly something broke my train of thought. I looked at the auto driver. He was eagerly looking at the road for prospective customers. But unfortunately for him no one was extravagant enough to sit in a single passenger auto, even though it was raining. So he just drove on. Something in my mind suddenly forced me to think of him. Why had he called me back? Why had he agreed to go for 10 bucks when he could have got 40 bucks? I presumed, he might not have had many customers in the day. He might have a wife and kids at home, whom he had to feed. Thinking all of this, I got touched. I couldn't help thinking about all the poor people I encountered everyday. Even though I didn't help them, i was driven to think about the circumstances they were facing, with probably no one to help.

I got down from the auto at my stop and opened my wallet. I saw a 20 rupee note right in front. I pulled it out and gave it to the driver. He was about to open his pocket and give back 10 bucks. But then I just showed him my hand. I could not say anything. He kept the 20 bucks and drove off. I started walking back to my place. For a moment I stopped at looked at the beautiful droplets of water falling out of the sky. They were beautiful. They once again reminded me how some simple, small little things matter so much. How small fabrics of life can be so important. It brought a smile upon my face. Even though I hadn't helped every poor person in the world. Even though it wasn't a big deal for me to give away those extra 10 bucks. And maybe that person did not even need help. But it gave me peace of mind. And today when I go to bed, I'll sleep in peace thinking about not what I established at work for a fortune 500 company, but the small little thing that I did to help someone.

PS: title suggested by Salil Gupte

Superheroes

I am pretty sure you all would have come across the question, "Who is your favorite superhero?". And then there would be a long list of superheroes that you like: superman, spiderman, and all kinds of "man". But these superheroes are fictitious. Ever wondered who the real superheroes are?

So what are you thinking? Let me guess. You are thinking, how can someone be a superhero without a special superpower? Let me make this clear, the superheroes I am talking about do not possess any superpowers. They are just normal human beings like me and you. So what makes them so special?

The true superheroes in life are the ordinary people whom we meet in our everyday lives. That's right. Everyone of us has a superhero within ourselves. The question arises, if there is a superhero inside everyone of us, why can't we climb buildings or fly? That is because we possess powers much more complex and superior to these powers. These powers are inherent and a percentage of these powers exist in all of us. It is however entirely up to us, how we realize and utilize these powers.

These powers are integrity, humility, courtesy, and most of all the ability to adjust.

You must be wondering that I have gone nuts. How can these qualities be more powerful than flying or climbing buildings? Let me tell you something, the person who possesses all these qualities and acts upon them as if they were his superpowers, is a true superhero indeed. He should be really proud of himself.

The first three qualities usually depend on the upbringing of the person, but the ability to adjust is perhaps genetic. It has been incorporated into the human genome in some way. You must have observed, wherever you go, whatever you do, you face certain difficulties or challenges. You then get used to the difficulties or challenges and move on. We adapt to the situation as it presents itself to us. It is this quality which makes us all special. If we had been ordinary, we would not have had such an ability in the first place.

So as superheroes, we should understand our responsibility. Not towards the world, but towards ourselves. To nurture these qualities in our inner selves. Just imagine, if everyone in this world possessed these qualities, wouldn't it make the world a better place to live? Who would need superheroes then?

Mirage

I hope you all know what a mirage actually is. If someone does not know, here is a brief informal intro to mirage. All of us must have traveled by road. While traveling ever noticed the water on the road which disappears when you get close? That is a mirage. Well this post of mine is not about mirage either. But something very similar. Something all of us have experienced in life at some point or another.

We meet several different people during our life. All of them unique and special in their own way. The question that I want to pose is.....Can we judge someone just by looking at them? I think most of us think alike and I know what we think. Looks are elusive. Still when we meet someone good looking, we are attracted to them. Knowing that looks don't tell the whole story, we still want to be with the good looking people. Have you ever wondered what happens to all the not so good looking people? What do they do? I know a lot of not so good looking people with hearts of gold and pure souls. And I am pretty sure that many of you do too. But the truth remains intact, we want the company of good looking people. But we forget that usually the good looking people are mirages.

How can you actually know a person? The true nature of a person comes out through their words. Then why are looks so important in today's world? Ever wondered why we have good looking actors and actresses? Why not a not so good looking actor who can act better? Talking about Katrina Kaif....I know that almost all Indian people are her fans. Everybody loves her. But how can you love someone without knowing who they really are? No offense to Katrina but stop and think for a minute. Ever thought about why you love Katrina Kaif? Because she looks good? Her looks are good enough to make you love her? I don't think so.

I have been almost all over India and have met many people. And a pretty good percentage of those people were mirages. So what do we do about them? How do we handle such people? You won't even know that the next person you are smiling at might be backbiting about you to someone else. I reckon that we all start using our brains more, rather than our eyes.

PS: I have not labeled any section as mirages, its my own personal opinion.

Droplets

I have no doubt that you are wondering what this blog is about, and how the title is significant. This blog is not about water or rains. Its not about seas or oceans. Its about the small realities of life. The ones that are very clear, just like little droplets falling from the sky. Just like beautiful, clear little droplets on the leaflets of a plant. But the clarity of these realities is made hazy by the fake illusions that our minds create. Those illusions seem much real than these little droplets because we believe what we want to. Not what is real, but what appears best for us to believe. This blog comes straight from the heart of a person who has been trying to believe in these realities for a long time now, and is still a bit too scared. As the saying goes "Truth is always bitter". But is it really? It may seem to be bitter but if we delve deeper into the truth, we find solace. A feeling like no other. Its beautiful, unparalleled. I have felt that feeling, have you?

We live in a fast moving world. Everyone is in a hurry. I won't fail to admit that even I am always in a hurry, no matter what I am doing. Even while typing this, I am in a hurry. But why do we all have such a sense of urgency? Can't we stop for a while and look at the clear little droplets? Can't we just stop and relax for a while and understand the true meanings of life? Or are we all scared, just like I am? Or is the reality presented to us in a way which seems to scare us?

Here is an anecdote from my childhood days.
I was about 4 years old back then. It was school time. We were having cursive writing lessons. Although it seemed beautiful, I was not interested. Perhaps the point of writing beautifully did not impress me. So I just wrote in a way, I found suitable. While checking of the notebooks, my teacher saw my hideous calligraphy. She was maddened at seeing such a creation. She slapped me right on my face. I was hardly mature enough back then to understand what the slap implied. I just assumed that my teacher was bad. But knowing me, one would know that I don't keep grudges. I just kept quiet about the whole thing. But my silence and the expression of my face were enough to convey to my father what had happened. He complained about it to the principal. The very next day, the same teacher was at my doorstep, crying. She was sorry for what she did. My parents tell me this story even today. Even I remember most of it. I must admit, even today it gives me immense happiness to know how protective my parents have been of me. But the message of the slap still remains a mystery. If the slap had been replaced by encouragement or advice, maybe I would have had a good handwriting.