A perspective

A person that lives in a slum without clothes on their body, food in their belly, a roof above their head lives in a different paradigm to an individual with all of this and much more in their lives. So then does it even occur to the slum dweller what his purpose in life is, his need for a soulmate, the concept of 'me time', his idea of happiness, fulfilment, his calling? And even if it did, would it be a priority for him or her? And if it's not, then all of this must be relative. Would a corporate office worker not want to exit the workplace politics that he or she is surrounded by? And is this anything that the slum dweller has encountered? Because while less severe in comparison, it remains an unpleasant experience. And therefore maybe the two scenarios are hardly comparable.

This is why the idea of translating 'being fortunate' into 'being happy' is a tricky one.

Most people will remind you to count your blessings. And I would never deny that they were stating that incorrectly or are ignorant of another person's reality. However, the richest man in the world could still be very unhappy. And the smile that pours out of a poor one's lips could still be the most genuine.

Life is certainly more comfortable with money rather than without. But contentment and happiness run deeper than that. These have their roots within one's inner being. So yes, we can all count our blessings while at the same time being cognisant that pain and suffering could prevail despite the fortune of money.

One can nourish, look after and adorn the physical being. But the health of the mind is hardly a game of money. Ill physical health can take a toll on mental health and therein lies that dependency on wellbeing and by extension, happiness. However, there are scenarios outside of these situations which remain unchanged by fortune, when in the eyes of others all possible needs have been met and things couldn't have been better.

It's the unseen, the invisible that's of ultimate consequence then.

Reflections

Welcome to my blog.

Here is a collection of everyday thoughts and observations from life that I have penned down for you to read and perhaps relate to as if they might be your own. Or even if its the first time you have come across these thoughts and never before thought of it this way, it might spur you on perhaps in a similar direction and lead on to other things.

I hope you enjoy reading these reflections. 

When is it really enough? Excess bothers me. An excess of material goods in particular. To clothe oneself is a necessity, to dress well is elegance but to not have to repeat clothing frequently is excess. We are here for a definite period of time and in the words of Steve Jobs, 'death clears us old to make way for the new' Nothing is forever. Nothing is permanent. So why hoard. Why not give away the excess instead to those in much need. Sure, designs, colours, brands attract compliments but generosity overpowers them all. Embrace generosity. Distance yourself from materialism. Live frugally. Let those less fortunate than you enjoy some basic comforts too. You are more likely to be remembered for the difference you made to others lives than for what you wore when you were still around.

A memorable collection

I believe that Indian songs have immense meaning attached to them. And every time I come upon a song that touches my heart, I can hardly resist the temptation to seize a few lines out of the piece to always take me back to it. Here is a collection of many such lines should you happen to share this interest. 

ye na thi hamari kismet ke visal e yaar hota
agar aur jeete rehte yehi intezar hota

jag se haara nahin mai
khud se haara hun ma

jab jab mujhpe utha sawaal
mai teri chunariya lehraayi 

khaali raahein aankh moondein jaayen
pahunche kahin toh bevajah

Vaise toh mera gham hi ek dava sa hai
har ghadi zinda har din naya sa hai

tan saunp diya, man saunp diya
kuch aur toh mere paas nahi
jo tumse hai mere humdum
bhagvaan se bhi vo aas nahi

hum jise gunguna nahin sakte
vakt ne aisa geet kyun gaaya
tumko dekha toh yeh khayal aaya

mere naina sawan bhado
phir bhi mera man pyasa

bijuri ban kar gagan pe chamki
beete samay ki rekha
maine tumko dekha

meri nazar mein aaj kal din bhi andheri raat hai
saaya hi apne saath tha saaya hi apne saath hai

Bichhad Gayaa har santhi de kar pal do pal ka santh
Kisko Phursat Hai Jo Thaame Deewane Ka Haath
Humko Apna Saaya Tak Aqsar Bezaar Mila
 
tum saath ho ya na ho kya fark hai
bedard si zindagi bedard hai

ek toh sajan mere paas nahin hai
duje milan di koi aas nahin hai
maut na aayi teri yaad kyun aayi
... hai lambi judaai

dil behel toh jaayega iss khayal se
haal mil gaya tumhara apne haal se
muktasar si baat hai tumse pyar hai
tumhara intezar hai

voh kuchh beete huiye lamhe
voh kuchh guzari hui baatein
paraaye ho gaye toh kya
kabhi toh yeh bhi the apne
kahan thi zindagi meri
kahan par aa gayi

Poetic moods

19/07/2016
खुद मे खुश रहना सीख बंदे
बाहर ढूंढने निकलेगा तो सिर्फ ठोकरे पाएगा।

15/07/2016
बढी गती से चला जा रहा था
अंत आया तो एहसास हुआ ये जीवन कहा खो गया
 
02/07/2016
कुच्छ रिशतो के नाम नही होते ये तो बहुत पहले से पता था
लेकिन यही रिश्ते होते है जो कभी मिटते नही ये थोड़ी देर से पता चला।

22/06/2016
सुना था वक्त के साथ घाव भर जाते है
शायद किसी ने झूठ कहा है
वक्त के साथ तो हर बीता लम्हा और भी गहरा हो जाता है