Moments

I'm a big fan of Bond flicks. Have seen the entire series quite a few times and would still watch again if it's being telecasted.  Action which gives an adrenaline rush, and immaculate chivalry of 007 keeps me glued. For that time, I am totally engrossed with no other thoughts or worries crossing my mind. I feel happy. 

There are so many such moments which makes us all glad, happy, amused, without even us realizing. What we do realize consistently is that somebody is more beautiful, some one is more rich, some one is more successful.....then what we are.... We park our happiness for a future state. 

"I would be more happy after I achieve this ".  Well, that is absolutely fine ! 

However, sometimes it is worth to take a pause and then ponder about those small things which makes our day, brings a smile to our face and gladdens our hearts. More precisely, observing continually magic moments from our life. There are so many !

I took one such pause.................. some incidents, times, moments from my life, in a no particular order -

• Speaking to my four year old nephew sweetly complaining about his mom, playing with him
• Watching India play Pakistan, any sport
• Connecting with close colleagues in office and sharing stories of the day, grapevines
• Hearing anecdotes from my wife's office 
• Receiving a promotion letter (occasional phenomenon but gives immense joy)
• Being successful in booking a tatkal ticket in a rush season phewww 
• Entire Friday, donning casuals awaiting weekend 
• First rains, there is some magic about it 
• Celebrating Diwali with family and friends

• Get together with friends at home when wife is on a business trip :P
• Lying down on a beach in Goa, carefree watching blue sky 
• Times when I have been able to help anyone in whatever small way
• Reading books having a philosophical bent 
• Watching movies with my wife in our favorite theater, might have seen over 60-70 now
• Meeting any of my best college friends, discussing college days including our crushes ;)
• Discussing political affairs, election results with mom and dad
• Fighting with my sisters even now, just like our childhood
• Watching a tiger (whether in a zoo or a national park), how royal and regal !
• Getting a great deal online 
• Relishing my favorite food
• Sitting on Marine Drive observing ebbs and flows, observing crowd
• Watching Games of Thrones, Hannibal, favorite TV shows

The list can go on. If I compare it with a hypothetical list of worries or stressful moments then there is a sudden realization and appreciation of what I have. This is true not just for me but for a majority of us.

           As cliched as it may sound - Life is indeed a Journey, not a destination.

                  

                               

   

Invoking the Demon Inside Us - Road Rage

A few weeks back I was travelling in a auto lost in my thoughts. Suddenly, a bike rider grazed the auto from behind while manoeuvring his bike in the traffic. I could clearly see biker being at fault. However, he got into an heated argument with the auto driver (I'll refer him as Pehelwaan) abusing, cursing et al. Biker was all set to become Rocky Balboa, ignoring the fact, that his existence made earth heavier by only 50 Kgs. 

I asked Pehelwaan, a well built, stout man and who by then was also red, to ignore biker's words. However Rocky boy was hell bent for a bout, chasing the auto and instigating Pehelwaan - " Why you running away? Come on face me ...". Somehow situation was doused but left a bigger question for me, for all of us. Why so much anger, so much intolerance, so much hate and most important not accepting our mistakes.

             It is not unusual to read articles and hear about Road Rage (WWE on road). In fact, it happens all the time. With increasing purchase power, there are more vehicles and only so much infrastructure to accommodate. Most of use are in so much hurry that anyone impeding our takeoff raises our hackles. 

All the more surprising is the way, well-educated professionals behave in such situations. While I strongly believe, level of education is not the criteria in determining who reacts how, still my hopes are more pinned on a educated person not to get physical and keep calm as much as possible. Respond and not react is the expectation. Easier said than done though !

What to do?

Keeping it simple is the way to go about it. I would not want anyone to be in such a situation. In case, if one does comes face to face, how to respond? Everything starts happening so fast around us, crowd starts gathering, someone starts shouting and invariably panic button is pressed. So is aggression best mode of defense? Not always. First and foremost accept this has happened to you. Ask yourself sincerely, was it your fault? If it was, then accept it and be apologetic in your tone and tenor. If you think you are not to be blamed, rather than shouting and cursing mindlessly, hear what other person has to say. At times, it is circumstances, which may have forced him/her to react that way. 

Finally, always be conscious of the fact that your well being matters most to your loved ones, rest other facts matter least.