The Little Things In Life

It’s been quite some time since I showed up here. It’s not because I had been short of things to share, it’s because I had been short of time to write. It took me some time to settle down in my new job and adjust with the shift in my daily routine. Now, that I am settled – or as settled as I ever could be – I have decided that it’s time to get back in action. As somebody reminded me at work yesterday, you always need to do something which you do just for yourself and your personal happiness . Well, for me it’s my blog, said I! A lot has happened in the last couple of months – the tiny tot who inspired me to write my first blog post has turned two now and is now rapidly developing into a chatter box; I am enjoying my profession to the core; my students love me and I love my students (talking about them would take a whole new blog page!); I have made some new friends; I have learnt and am learning many new things each day; my most favorite teacher passed away last week, it was horr...

“It’s good to have a job you like. But let not your happiness depend on your job or anything else.” The words that changed the way I look at everything! We so naively think that achieving a certain “something” in life will make us happy. Getting a dream job, buying a fancy car, having the perfect wedding, living in a sprawling manor…those are the things, we imagine, would bring us happiness. But do they indeed? Think about it. You get a job you had always wished to have. This makes you happy. You start working. It’s exciting and you are eager to do your best. What then? As time passes, the excitement slowly starts to wane. It becomes a routine, and now you need something else to break your routine. So off you go on a vacation to recharge yourself and to have a fresh look at things. You come back, and get back to your work. What then? The routine starts all over again. Where exactly is your happiness then?

She walks in glorious grace, Her beauty lies, not in the charm of her face. But in the compassion of her touch, That in its tenderness, words need not speak much; And in the serenity of her mind, That in its calmness, endures the raging wind. She walks in glorious grace, Her beauty lies, not in the charm of her face. But in the twinkle of her eyes, That in its innocence, show no vices or lies; And in the charity of her soul, That in its benevolence, reaches out to all. She walks in glorious grace, Her beauty lies, not in the charm of her face.

The winds were strong. The skies were getting dark. The kids in the field stopped playing. They all stared at the skies above – a flash of light, followed by an earth shaking thunder. And then - a drop of water on the face. I knew the rains were coming, and they were coming hard and strong. A downpour and we were all drenched and soaked in the rain. The kids were cheering, laughing and running. I was happy, jumping and beaming. I knew I would get rebuked by my mother later. Who cares? I was happy, and that is what mattered. I was with nature, and that is what mattered. It was cold, it was raining hard, and I was filling it all in me – the smell of the earth, the sound of the rains, the joy of nature - and drinking in the glory of nature. Like a mendicant filling himself with God, I filled it all in me. And then suddenly, my eyes opened, I woke up and realized … it was a dream. Well, a sweet dream at that. Good morning everyone!

I was sunk deep down in a valley, But now I walk right up the alley. I faced struggles I could not cope, But the Lord has given me new hope. He lifted me up and sat me on a rock, A rock firm and strong, none can knock. He is my pillar and my strong fort, In His arms, do I find comfort. The Saviour who rose from the dead, Will guide me through my way ahead. In Him do I find a life ever new, His love is a joy that I never knew. Without you I can do nothing, Indeed, in you I find everything. Oh Lord, let me always follow thee, And I thank you for calling unto me. Praised be the Lord Jesus Christ, forever and ever. Amen #hopeinGod #God’sloveneverends

Recently I got a chance to visit a beautiful, beautiful place. The moment I put my first step into this place, I was filled with a rare kind of joy and grace filled my soul. And when I say this, I am not talking about a Holy Shrine or a Pilgrim Centre. Well, actually according to me, this place is no less than a Pilgrim Centre. The place I am talking about is a Convent in my hometown. Most of the nuns at the Convent are old and suffering from some kind of illness. I had been there to visit my grandma’s 84 year old younger sister, and this was the first time I was ever seeing her in my life. My mother had described her as a loving, caring and gentle person. And she loves to talk. She simply loves to talk. I have an ever growing fondness for the old, and well, an equally growing fondness for babies and young children.

Dedicated to all those - whose sorrows are never known, whose sufferings are forgone, whose miseries are unknown. My pains have made me encased, The struggles I have faced, Have made me so dazed,

My urge to write this post was aroused by an online discussion. The discussion was about nature – about one’s favorite place to be or about one’s favorite vacation spot. Being a native of a region in India which is known for its hills, and the twists and turns they provide while riding those snake-like roads, I am a total fan of the hills. The hills would always be my ideal holiday location, especially when the Heavens drench it with cold, icy waters, when the earth meets its desire to quench its thirst with the showers that smear its dry, hard surface; or to be less poetic and more specific, I mean to say, the Monsoons.