How many other things are we missing?

I am blogging after so long that I almost forgot my blogspot password. I guess I have a tendency to 'shut off' every now and then.

I read the following article, an email forward, I thought I should share it. I don’t know if it is a true story as claimed, but then, it could be.

Washington, DC, Metro Station, on a cold January morning in 2007. The man with a violin played six Bach pieces for about 45 minutes. During that time approximately 2 thousand people went through the station, most of them on their way to work. After 3 minutes, a middle aged man noticed there was a musician playing. He slowed his pace and stopped for a few seconds, and then hurried to meet his schedule.......

4 minutes later:
The violinist received his first dollar: a woman threw the money in the hat and, without stopping, continued to walk.

6 minutes:
A young man leaned against the wall to listen to him, then looked at his watch and started to walk again.

10 minutes:
A 3-year-old boy stopped, but his mother tugged him along hurriedly. The kid stopped to look at the violinist again, but the mother pushed hard and the child continued to walk, turning his head all the time. This action was repeated by several other children. Every parent, without exception, forced their children to move on quickly.

45 minutes:
The musician played continuously. Only 6 people stopped and listened for a short while. About 20 gave money, but continued to walk at their normal pace. The man collected a total of $32.

1 hour:
He finished playing and silence took over. No one noticed. No one applauded, nor was there any recognition.

No one knew this, but the violinist was Joshua Bell, one of the greatest musicians in the world. He played one of the most intricate pieces ever written, with a violin worth $3.5 million dollars. Two days before, Joshua Bell sold out a theater in Boston where the seats averaged $100.

This is a true story. Joshua Bell playing incognito in the Metro Station was organized by the Washington Post as part of a social experiment about perception, taste and people's priorities. The questions raised: in a commonplace environment at an inappropriate hour, do we perceive beauty? Do we stop to appreciate it? Do we recognize talent in an unexpected context?

One possible conclusion reached from this experiment could be this:
If we do not have a moment to stop and listen to one of the best musicians in the world, playing some of the finest music ever written, with one of the most beautiful instruments ever made.... How many other things are we missing?

Discovering Peace

Sometimes you ‘experience’ moments that leave you with a feeling of fullness. A feeling that you cannot control. A feeling that you cannot explain. A state of bliss.

I felt that early this morning. When I was talking to my in-laws. They, finally, after more than a year of persuasion, have enrolled into the basic course of the “Art of Living”. Just talking to them about their experience made me feel at peace. Even without realizing, tears started rolling down. It was a spiritual moment.

Like everybody else, they were reluctant about the idea. They gave every excuse possible (which do not really qualify for an excuse), like anybody else would. I have never persuaded anybody for anything as much as I did my In-laws to do the course. I must admit that there were times when I thought there was no use explaining it to them. My mom-in-law always listened to me talk about it and a couple of times I heard her tell people “My daughter-in-law is a follower of Guruji.” I never missed the sense of pride that she had in her voice while mentioning it to others. We talked about it a lot of times but somehow her enthusiasm never lasted beyond the conversation.

Three days ago she had called saying that somebody had come home to tell that there was a class starting in the building right opposite to their house. That day, again, after cajoling her, I had decided that I was never again going to talk to her about it. It is not in my character to push someone so much.

Just 3 days of Pranayam and Sudarshan Kriya and my dad-in-law said, “I cannot explain the feeling” and my mom-in-law said, “I am at peace with myself.” Isn’t that amazing?
I just want to say…

“Amma and Papa, I am so glad that you two are doing the course. You deserve the tranquility and the new found sense of being. You have picked up a good habit; make sure you don’t give it up.”
Jai Guru Dev!!!

8 DONTS

[Written for You've Been Tagged!]

There are a lot of Do’s and Don’ts in life. My top 8 DON’Ts are:

1. Don’t burn your bridges.
It is a small world. You never know when again you might have to face an old employer or a friend. By burning your bridges you are only closing down on opportunities in life.

2. Don’t take a decision when you are confused.
When you are not sure which way to go don’t go. When you’re confused, step back, clear your mind, take some time to think, and then decide.

3. Don’t bring up old issues/problems when in an argument.
The key word is ‘focus’. Bringing up old issues will not solve your present problem. What’s over is a closed chapter.

4. Don’t ever stop communicating with your spouse.
Always talk to your spouse about your concerns and worries. It is important for a couple to share not only happy thoughts but also the fears. By communicating you will not only be happy but you will make your lives simple.

5. Do not make casual calls to your married friends after 9 pm and before 9 am.
Gossiping can wait until tomorrow. Don’t disturb your friend and his/her family between 9 pm. And 9 am. It is family time for them.

6. Don’t ever stop learning.
It is important to learn new things. It keeps you young, energetic and sane.

7. Don’t forget the lessons learnt.
We all make mistakes in life. But it’s important we don’t repeat our mistakes.

8. Don’t forget to laugh.Laughter sure is the best medicine.
A sense of humor will help you sail through the toughest of times.

Spiritual Joy Ride

Everybody has life changing experiences in their lives. I am no exception. Mine was like a joy ride, bungee jumping, scuba diving and paragliding put together. Can you imagine that? Anybody who has done the ‘Art of Living’ knows what I mean.

His Holiness Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, fondly referred to as ‘Guruji’ and ‘Guru Dev’ is the founder of Art of Living Organisation. He is one of the most charismatic persons I have ever come across. His aura, grace and poise will leave you enthralled.

For almost 7 years, before I did the first course, a lot of people told me about the Art of Living. I must agree that I had a lot of misconceptions about the Art of Living before I did the course. I was apprehensive and unsure. And then one day I enrolled for the Basic Course. And trust me when I say I have been at peace with myself ever since. I am focused and contented. I experience spirituality. I am happier, healthier and stronger. I am aware. It is something that one can only experience. It is an out-of-the world experience.

One major misconception that people have is the Art of Living is for people who are sad and suffering. The Art of Living is for everybody who breathes. For everybody who believes in life. And the ones who don’t believe in life haven’t experienced it yet. Those of you, who know what I am talking about, will agree with me. And those who haven’t heard of the Art of Living or considered it yet, go ahead and do yourselves a favor. It is no less than a joy ride. And, you will never regret it.

For more facts follow the links:
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: The Peoples Guru
Experiences across the Globe
Indo-Pakistan Youth Peace Initiatives
Art of Living Service Projects

Right Here Right Now

Sometimes your days become so monotonous that everything that you do is in a flow...from the time you wake up till the time you fall asleep. There are days when I want to break the routine. Well, that’s why I guess we have weekends!

Right here, the place that I live in, there is really not much I can do by myself. So I am stuck indoors all day. I can only dream of walking alone in a park or even in the street. I so long for the days when I can do all that I enjoy doing outdoors, even if on my own...like,
1. Window shopping (with out being bothered about my husband waiting outside the store)
2. Walking in the aisles of the supermarket looking at every product I want to without either the intention to buy OR the pressure of ‘Done?’ (I once told my husband that I hate it when he says ‘hurry up!’ so now he asks ‘Done?’. Smart @&&!)
3. Sitting in a corner seat of a cafe and reading a book (not bothered about how long I’ve been there or how many coffee’s I have had)
4. Taking a long walk in a park with the pleasure of not talking or listening to anyone
5. Go watch a movie on impulse (even if I have to watch it alone)
6. Go to a vegetable vendor in the street corner where I can bargain (adha kilo bees rupai...kya bhaiyya..pandra lagalo...aur sabji lene hain)
7. Dress up and go for dinner (here dressing up means wearing an ‘abhaya’)
Well, there is more to the list. I look forward to doing all that on my next visit abroad (yeah, I have to go out of this country to do all that. I live in Saudi).

Right now, I am enjoying the pleasant weather (sitting indoors ofcourse). The winter is over and the summer has not set in yet. BTW- I hate winters. I dislike everything about winter...cold nights, dark mornings, dry skin, frizzy hair, thick clothes...
I am reading The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson and taking care of my two pet turtles (Tilu & Bhole). I have so much fun just watching them eat, swim and crawl. When I talk to them they actually look up as if they understand. Tilu is docile and Bhole is a bully. They are so tiny and want so little.

I am dancing to the tune of Marjani and just can’t get enough of You get me Rocking&Reeling (I especially the Hindi lines of the song. Both from Billu Barber). I am a sucker for romantic songs (anything romantic actually) and am still listning to Kucch Khaas Hai and Marjawa from Fashion. I am loving the music of Delhi 6 and looking forward to watch the movie.

Contented Ambition

Someone once said… “If you are contented you cannot be ambitious.”

People struggle all their lives to achieve their goals one after the other. Sometimes the goals that have been set for them by others (peers, family, society, competitors). They run the rat race everyday only to see that someone overtook them when they stopped to take a breath. When they do this day in and day out, nothing else matters. They want to achieve everything. They want everything they set their mind and heart on. Money, Power, Fame, Position, Recognition. Sometimes wine and women too!

They become so busy and obsessed with their work that they don’t realize there are people they are taking for granted. There are wives who are expected to understand when the husband does not make it to a family dinner because he is busy making a deal. Daughters who are expected to be happy with a Barbie because daddy could not stand by their side while making their birthday wish. Sons, on sports day, are expected to understand that papa is making money to buy him a new cricket bat.

Is having a great office, an obedient staff and a set of loyal customers enough to make you happy? Especially when you always want more. Nothing is ever enough. There is always more to ‘so much’. It’s nice to be ambitious. But it is important to stop and appreciate life. What’s the point of running a race that will never end? Even if it does, even before you celebrate your victory you are preparing for yet another race.

So stop. Look at what you have. What you really have. Your loved ones, the ones who wait for you patiently. The ones who are getting used to being taken for granted, by you. If you really love someone, do not take them for granted. By doing so you are only disrespecting them.

I am ambitious. Ambitious about keeping my husband happy and being happy myself, all the time. If I can sleep well and wake up smiling every morning I know I have achieved my goal.

If you don’t enjoy the very moment you live in there is no point planning for tomorrow. Tomorrow you cannot avoid. Yesterday you cannot change. All you have control over is NOW. Live in the moment. Smile. Be contented.

What’s here for the boys?

In my last post I talked about what life here in KSA is like. And we all agree that this place is unfair to women, with all the restrictions and the forced dependency. The Shiv Sena (no offense) would probably think this is how the youth of our country should be too. And the hard core MCP’s (with all offense) would think this is how women need to live... "They don’t need freedom and they don’t deserve a driving license."

But what’s in here for the boys?
This place is the oil treasure of the world with a lot of industries dealing with oil by-products. My husband’s company (which is a huge petroleum based company) does not have a single woman employee. Well, most companies here are like that. All they can see around in their office is male population. Isn’t that horrible? Would they have the desire to look smart left in them? Wouldn’t all of them enjoy some female attention at work? Isn’t work place more fun when there is a mix of the sexes? Don’t the chances of having a female boss make work more challenging (most guys find it stressful)?

There is no concept of ‘catching up with old friends over a drink’ (unless you are talking about a variety of tea, coffee or a non-alcoholic beverage).

Boys, even men, can’t get a glimpse of a woman. They are all covered head to toe. They don’t know what their female cousins look like. All they have is images of how they looked as kids. Imagine a boy growing up not knowing what his dad’s friend’s daughter looks like. Can you imagine what it is like for a boy not to know what his sister’s best friend looks like? Imagine your father not knowing what you grand mother looks like. Imagine a little boy not knowing what his teacher looks like.

So I feel it’s not all that bad for me here. I can atleast look at other smart men, admire their broad shoulders and comment about their bellies to my husband. My poor husband, all he can do is look at a cute kid and wonder what its mom looks like ;)

Life - The Burkha Way

Have you ever imagined what life was going to be if you (I am talking to the women) could not step out of your house alone? If there were no movie theaters in your city? If you (women again) were not allowed to drive? You can either be a doctor, a nurse or a teacher ONLY?

I never even thought of something like that, until I came to live it.

I am right now in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia with my husband who is here on a project. He has been here for close to a year now. We got married in December last year and I joined him here in April. And the day I arrived here I realized how much I took a lot of things in life for granted.

The day I landed here we stepped out for lunch at about 12’ish. I sincerely wore my ‘burkha’ (which I bought before coming here). The Muslim and the Saudi women here need to cover their hair too. The others are spared (Thank God for small mercies!). We were walking to a restaurant closest to our place and I can’t explain how I felt…I don’t know if I was confused or scared. There was not a single woman on the road but there were men of all ages and sizes slowing down on the pavements and on the roads to ogle. Not that there are no women here, but seeing a women on the road, in the afternoon on a working day was not usual here.

It did not take me too long to learn the Do’s and Don’t’s of this place as there are very few do’s. This place has no movies or pubs. Photography in public places is prohibited. Shops and restaurants close during the “Salah” (the prayer time). Women are not allowed to drive and the career options for women here are being a doctor, a nurse or a teacher only. No access to Orkut (you read that right) and you will rarely find a woman walking alone on the road, no matter what time of the day.

Every restaurant here (even the McD and KFC) have a separate sections for families and bachelors. There are some eating joints exclusively for bachelors and shopping malls exclusively for families.

I know all this sound funny, idiotic and stupid. It is. And a lot of you would be thinking why on earth any woman would want to go to a place like this. The answer to that, I guess, is ‘priorities’.

I worked for 5 years away from home, partied with friends, had girl’s night outs, and never needed a man to pay for my dinner. And I decided to get married when I knew I was willing to put ‘family’ on top of my list. And here I am with the love of my life enjoying every bit of what life offers while we are here.