The Good Constant

 This was one of the phases, when I was going through what people bluntly call 'the writer's block'. The funniest part is people assume that in this phase, one cannot write a word or weave thoughts into action at all. It is not so.

One can just write professionally perfect but we can sense the unseen traffic block in the mind.

I love poetry and journaling about Nature, children and gratitude. I was not able to feel the joy. My friends did try their best with cues, but I had probably slipped inside my self-created shell. I went through videos, listened to podcasts and read extensively to figure out how to help myself.

I took a sabbatical from my personal writing routine, for nearly weeks or more, apart from the regular work at office. I accepted that there is a way out yet I was wandering aimlessly and trying.

The void was there yet I was focusing on music and Reiki. I read the Bhagwat Gita again. I did make notes, not that I abandoned my pen and notepad.

Finally, call it a divine intervention or as though the Universe heard my wish, I received guidance in a way that was magical and unusual. Why magical because I never realized how effortlessly I unlocked my mind to resume my journey in pursuit of writing my heart out, just the way I like it.

A blissful connect as I call, certain souls come by, probably because they are meant to guide us through, in that phase. They are focused and clear about their role even if we are unable to understand the intention. Change isn't easy. It definitely makes sense once we review that phase and we emerge as a winner.

Candid communication is the only solution. Imagine a FM Radio where you very well know that you get to enjoy different kinds of music or talks when you tune in to 'hear' different frequencies. You also 'listen' to one frequently because it resonates with your happiness journey.

Similar is our mind, it seeks for answers and in my case I definitely basked in a lot of knowledge through positive imagery, opening up the happy memories and cherishing each day as a good learning as part of the purest unrecorded thread of sharing virtues. I polished the zeal to express and realized my story writing skills.

I am thankful to almighty for their brief interaction and learnings that'll remain for a lifetime. Brief yet abundant in terms of sharing the right direction, prompt solution , the powerful tips on self improvement, the acceptance of differences, unconditional support and the power of silence.

The angelic Alchemist gave a broader perspective about happiness, self worth, mutual trust, than just writing!

Sharing some of the qualities:

1. Write anything, consistently.

2. Go with the flow of thoughts, be yourself.

3. Do a thing surely daily.
4. Detach from the result, trust the process.
5. Read books from different authors .
6. Value time and promise.
7. Be calm, respectful and grateful always.

Trek up, smart, to reach the top

 

Any impromptu unique trekking expedition, does elevate your confidence to win a challenge in harmony with Nature.

Once upon a time, in Bangalore, we plan a trip nearby, near Shivasamudra. Our driver suggested that we should stop by a temple on the way, which is on a hill top. We stopped by the Shiva temple, recommended by him. This seemed to have evolved by itself and it was a forest earlier. Now with well paved road so reaching there was easy.

It was a weekday, so there was no rush as such. We were early so maybe that could be the reason. I could see a steep path leading up a higher hill and this added to my curiosity bubble. We were told that, up there, one could get a panoramic view of this temple, the nearby hills and the valleys around. My cousin and I were enthusiastic but then there was one challenge. We looked down at our feet.

The Sun had started blazing its warmth a little too aggressively, when it was just 7.30 am. Only my cousin and I wanted to check out the view. The challenge was to trek uphill, barefoot, on the stony steps and then the rugged rocky path. Going back to the car to get the shoes would mean shelving the enthusiasm. While the rest of the family waited patiently, sitting under the shade of a peepal tree, we both wasted no time and began on our adventure.

The steps were nicely baked in the Sun rays, so we had to take quick steps. It was steep so it was not easy as it seemed initially. We actually thought that it was better to give up, but we pushed each other to keep moving. Reverse counting was a technique we tried for the sprite of motivation.

What if there is no next time to this place?

We paused to rest for a while after about 250 steps, it seems an equal number was welcoming us up. My feet were reddish already yet I didn’t want to give up. I looked up the sky, into the Sun.  There were these huge cirrus cottony white clouds that forced the majestic ball of fire play hide and seek. That was a perfect timing when the shadow of the clouds covered the steps with a cooling effect. That's it, we decided to play along and when the Sun hid, we paced faster. The clouds were our true angel friends.

After 20 minutes, we finally made it to the top and while I was gasping for breath, I sat on the rock to celebrate our achievement. The scenic beauty was picturesque and there was an echo point too. This was a surprise gift that awaited us here for coming this far and high. The hill top was muddy and rocky yet the mud was soothing to our feet. We were there for 10 minutes and then walking downhill. It took us just 15 minutes.

Later, the blisters that blessed my feet did relate my adventure., that healed in a day or two, easily. Trekking barefoot when it is very hot, is not recommended. Always go well-prepared. Ensure that you are well hydrated. Carry water and a cap always. Well given an unplanned situation, trust your instincts and follow the signs shown by Nature.

The Kullad Story

 

Probably being born and brought up in the North comes with a unique fondness towards certain things that you miss down south. The list might run to pages but then this one is really special.

I was on my trip to Benaras, few years back in October when winter just struck in. It was supposedly my first trip after a decade and a half to the north. I was excited. I had made the to-do list and my sister's best friend, was extra loving to help me tick most of them.

We toured places, ate the best of Street foods, some mouth watering banarasi sweets and sailing on the Ganges for divine blessings. On the list was the ' kullad chai'. We would see many places that did sell this but then the catch was to spot them in the wee hours than broad daylight.

Didi said that the joy of savoring this was when it was still misty so early morning or late in the evening would be ideal. She had it on her mind when I had somehow given up the wish of having the banarasi kullad chai. I said to myself, it's ok, it will manifest someday!

My return flight was in the morning and we started early so that we reach on time. I somehow have this strange thing of boarding most of the flights at the N th hour, despite planning. That's another interesting one, some other time.

We were at the entrance of the airport and did have sometime to breathe and the driver just went somewhere. I was checking the time and wanted to go and didi was like you have time. Still I was ticking the clock in my mind.

Out from the blue, the driver returned with a kettle and kullads. I was speechless. In his typical Bihari accent, he said - ee liyo tumhaar chaai ( here take your chai). I thanked him for this kind gesture.

I looked at Didi in wonder and she was like, have it fast now. It was a good masala tea with just the right measure of milk and sugar. Since the tea was quite freshly made, I had the privilege of holding two kullads to help bring the tea to normal temperature. Some quick flashlights for a memory, we had the kullad chai. It was so refreshing and I didn't want to part with the kullad. The earthy finish reflected the flawless masterpiece and fine curves by some unsung mud potter. This was definitely made on the traditional wheel unlike the machine made versions available these days.

Didi was happy to see the cherubic shine in my eyes and the smile. She said , Hamesha khush raho ( always be happy).

☕ When you wish for something,ask, believe and be calm. Good things take time
☕ Trust that the people around radiate happiness just as you do.
☕ Always be grateful each day for the wonderful people you meet and greet daily.
☕ Travel is a highly positive as it connects you with little joys of life, quite fulfilling and refreshing.
☕ People are kind irrespective of their caste, creed or profession. What matters is the respect you bestow them with.

☕ Appreciate life as it happens not as you perceive it to happen. Miracles have perfect timings.

Soulful Connections

It was soon after the 2004 Tsunami, when I landed in Chennai to try my luck, in the most determined way, to flourish as a writer. It was a time when mobile phone was a far-fetched luxury still and was not yet qualified in the necessity category in India. So the local PCO/STD booths made lots of money and they could be spotted in almost every corner of the street.

I used to have this small telephone diary, gifted by my father. The list kept increasing as I started skimming through the Yellow Pages Directory for possible leads. I used to go to a particular telephone booth run by an elderly man. Our first interaction was interesting too. Way back then, I did manage speaking in Tamil, though not fluently unlike today, but he was pretty smart to guess I was not from the South. I said I was from Kerala. With a shine in his eyes, he shot the next obvious question, where in Kerala. He hailed from a place that was just 30 minutes away from my maternal home. He was very helpful and caring all the time. I had given the PCO number for reference where the agencies used the popularly unfriendly phrase ‘Leave your number, we will get back to you.’ While nobody really called back, he would insist that I keep trying, at least I follow up with a call to know if there is hope or full-stop. Mostly it was the latter and I would just smile because we knew I will make it someday.

When I got a job, with my desired role, uncle was among the select few I shared the news with a box of sweets. When I got my first salary, I had bought my first mobile phone and my visits to his shop became numbered. Nevertheless, would go to check on him as long as I stayed in that locality. His business was not doing well because of the advent of the mobile phones companies so he did convert it into a juice corner keeping the PCO going as long as he could.
Even though I left the locality, I had his number so I would call him during all festive occasions to wish him but then somewhere down the journey, this connect got disconnected when it said ‘ the number you are calling does not exist’.

After many years I happened to pass by that area, and the cloud of nostalgia encircled me. Everything in that street had changed, , I recalled uncle’s shop’s location, but then, I could not find it. I stopped the vehicle and inquired around. Nobody knew such a person. I gave up hope until I went to a textile shop, where the owner welcomed me with a smile. I hardly knew him. He then broke my suspense bubble and happened to be the boy who worked in uncle’s shop for some time. I asked about uncle and I came to know that he had moved back to Kerala selling his shop. He did have some contact number. I dialed the number. It was ringing but no response. I resumed my journey.

Weeks went by, I received a call. The‘Hello’ struck a magical re-connect, I was laughing with joy. He was the same soulful well-wisher.
 

The Earth graced the Sky- the power of thoughts

I was on a short holiday to Goa, yet the timing was not that perfect I should confess. It was a quick plan just before the monsoons in Southern India, but it had kissed the shores of Goa already. It was not alarming so I took the chance to go anyways.

The homestay was close to Baga beach and I could easily breeze my way to the shacks in 15 minutes. Carrying an umbrella seemed like an extra luggage. Since it wasn't very sunny so I did not get to flaunt my classy hat, meant for the beach. Never mind.

I was seated on one of the shacks that gave a good view of the mountains capped with cottony clouds. Even when the rain brought a drop in the temperature outside, I was still sweltering because of the humidity. It was an obvious feel for people residing in a concrete jungle.

I noticed an old lady, seemed like in her mid 40s, standing very close to the sea, with her eyes fixed on the waves. She was clad in a konkani attire and had a cloth scarf covering her head. She had put on the normal walking slippers. It seemed as if she is waiting for someone to ferry through. I ignored watching her and went to get a tender coconut for myself. When I returned, she was still there.

The curious writer's instinct wanted to walk upto her and start a chat but then I wasn't sure. There was a peddler selling peanuts and salted mango. He seemed approachable and I asked him in Hindi if he had any clue about that lady.

Achcha, bhaiyya, woh jo wahan samandar kinare khadi hain, kya aap jaante ho unhe, pata nai kuch alag si hain. ( Brother do you know the woman standing near to the shore, don't know why she seems a bit unique)

To my advantage, he was more than happy to converse. He said that she was a very bold lady and lived near to the beach. She had lost her husband and her son to the sea during the cyclone that had hit the place the previous year. The strangest part is she had tried stopping them from venturing into the sea. There was no prior warning as such until it just engulfed the shore, while the fishermen were out in the deep sea. Her words, ever since are taken with utmost importance. She is able to predict the weather well before the designated so- called educated authorities ring the safety alarm.

She is our Asha Maii,as she saved so many lives, she knows the wind and the sea like nobody else does, and during the monsoons, she studies the shore frequently. She lost everything precious in her life out there yet never gave up the hope and verve of saving others lives.

By the time he finished the story, she was not to be seen. It was nearly going to be dusk and then time for me to go back too. I didn't see her the next day. I thought I should have clicked a photograph of hers, then my soul said, not every aura can be captured in the lens. She was an angelic one. The one through whom the earth graced the sky with divinity.