Keeping the faith with conscious wisdom

I've not been in the best of spirits off-late - So while the last few weeks have really taken a toll on me, work-wise and health-wise (I have injured my back real bad), I've had support come from so many sources. Family, friends and colleagues have been a great encouragement for me. Some tough decisions coming up for me and I need to keep the faith. A dear friend recently advised me to keep the faith with conscious wisdom - I agree.

And then the signs come from various sources. I loved this quote from Oprah.

“It’s not easy being grateful all the time. 

But it’s when you feel least thankful,

That you are most in need of what gratitude can give you."

Signs

On my way back home from an outing, an auto rickshaw in front of my car had this poster stuck on it. It was so heart-wrenching and moving at the same time. I wish that everyone in my country has a full roti to eat and the right to proper education. For those who do not understand Hindi, the poster says "I'll eat half a roti (bread), but I'll still go to school". Should the future not be a better place? Where kids can have a full stomach and also get the education they deserve? This is my fervent wish for this independence day...

Freedom

India celebrates 66 years of independence this year. The traffic signals have people selling flags, the office distributed flag brooches, the TV channels have gone berserk, especially reality shows doing Independence Day themed shows, the working class is excited about it being a long weekend, there is a general "Taranga" spirit everywhere. Societies, schools and colleges will hoist the flag, sing the national anthem and have meals together. Loud speakers will blaringly play loud patriotic music through the day, oh and just to mention, that'll happen around hospitals and old age homes as well. 

Someone asked me if I feel patriotic around Independence day - do I listen to songs of Independence and feel it in my heart? I have one response consistently - No. 

I do not have double standards. I do not display or portray what I'm not. 

I live my independence everyday - the life that my parents have let me live, the values that I have been brought up with, to feel a sense of belonging, every single day of my life. And that sense of belonging could be in any part of the world that I'm in. 

For me independence is having the people of my country live the same kind of life - devoid of corruption, devoid of class and community divide, tax money being used for progress of the country. Whilst my company posts % of food wastage in the cafeteria daily, people in the country are dying of hunger. Children are not getting an education, women are being abused, men are wasting away their lives on tobacco and desi daaru. The country's major income is agriculture and we're still a long way off from having the best-in-class systems. The cities are bursting at their seams. Infrastructure simply cannot match demanding needs. The education system is a joke. The rich are getting richer, the poor are getting poorer.

Why am I painting such a dismal image of a country I love? Does "not" stating the truth make one more patriotic? Do I really have the right to point a finger at the authorities for a messed up government? Did I not play a role in choosing that government with my vote as well? What freedom are we talking about? What am I doing to bring about a change? And then, I look at Anna Hazare and I feel a glimmer of hope, of faith...

Like every year, this year too shall be no different for me - I look at Independence day as simply a holiday well deserved. In my heart, every day is Independence day - I will do my bit for my country - my way. 

Breathe your independence - every second, every minute of your life. I wish you all a happy long weekend.

Smiles that take you Miles

A smile, will take you many a mile

And when you're low, think a while,

All it takes is a smile,

To get back that twinkle in your eye :-)

There are some days, when I wake up thinking, however my day will be and whatever comes my way, I'll smile through it. And on those days, I make sure I smile as much as I can. So today turned out to be one of them smiley days. And everything just felt right! 

A bunch of people caught on to that enthusiasm (which was super cool), I got out of a few tricky situations, I held my guard in a tough spot and all went well, just because I decided to smile through my day. 

What a wonderful feeling - Try it, it works :-))

August wish list - Wishing you Strength of Character

The 8th month of 2011 is here already!! It amazes me how time flies - Feels like yesterday when the new year came in and now we're quickly and swiftly approaching the end as well. Monsoon does this to me I think - it makes me very reflective of the year gone by thus far and weigh how much I've achieved of what I wanted this year. The winds of change have been blowing for a while for me - its been a gentle wind for the most, but has been a little stormy off late. Bring it on, I say! 

For this month, I wish for you strength of character - our character is after all what defines us :-)) 

May your neighbors respect you

Trouble neglect you

The angels protect you

And heaven accept you