THE PERSPECTIVE

 

When the lockdown was announced in March 2020, just like pretty much everyone around, I also got myself to think as to what kind of situation are we heading for? And how will we manage to stay for so long in the house. Not wanting to go is one thing and not being able to go is another. This sounded unfair and at first like typical human behaviour, I put this all out on China.

Moving beyond who is responsible and who is not, I do wonder whether we will ever get out of this? Will this last beyond 2020? Will we live in this phobia for a few years? It sounds insane and unfair. Never has anyone seen this ever before and I don’t want to – not for so long.

Then I recalled my conversation with my Great Grandfather, who proudly mentioned how he was a part of freedom fight for India. He was only 19 years back then. He was born when the World War I ended with 22 million people dead that year. 21 years when Second World War began. 29 years at the time of Independence and by 1962 Indo China war in, he was thrilled to have a grandson. He talked about blackouts on windows at the time of Indo Pakistan 1965 war and shared narrative of how soldiers gave away their lives at the border and how fear mounted upon them each moment of bombarding from the top. In fact, smallpox which does not raise any alarms today also actually broke out like a pandemic sometime in history. Isn’t that too much for his prime youth to feel victimised? Phew!!!!

Not to say that we should just get used to these worse ways of life – living with so much distress around; being at war with other countries and coping up with new viruses. However, what I wish to share is a Perspective! A perspective which my great grandfather had when he narrated those incidents in his life. He was proud to share how he glided through such times and how tall he stands today. He had no disappointments, just lessons, experiences and optimism. He had no impatience, no rush and no expectations to change the unpleasant too soon. He had acceptance. He had the perspective that each day we are moving towards a better tomorrow. And that’s what matters.

Instead of verbalizing 2020 as the worst year in history, can we remember that our forefathers have seen even worse? Drawing the same Perspective, I was so heartened to read this children’s book by Tomos Roberts and ever since I have decided to call it the year of GREAT REALISATION.

 Let’s not forget, undeniably we all discovered a better way to life as we all slowed down and       re-focussed on “Quality” part of our existence.  It’s the time to stop whining like a spoilt brat and start doing whatever needs to be done and get through this as stronger. Tired of wearing a mask?  Don’t be fatuous and thankless.  It’s a massive test. You better come out with flying colours.

THE SHADES OF LIFE

 

Off late, I just felt like exploring my long kept DSLR camera. All thanks to Anurag Sir. When I looked at his mesmerizing pictures, I always thought that photography is about capturing the right fleeting moments and he surely was good at that. I reasoned I could try my hands on it too. Obviously, I do get it, it’s not as easy as he makes it sound. But undeniably interesting.

Obviously during this pandemic, I cannot really travel anywhere. So here I was, sitting on my terrace exploring the clear blue sky. It surely looked grand and felt serene sitting under an umbrella of the unruffled stillness.

Technically, when I was a kid, I had figured out why sky was blue?  When sunlight falls on the atoms that make up the air, some of the light bounces off and Shorter-wavelength colours, such as blue, are scattered more effectively — making this firmament look blue — while the remaining sunlight that falls to our eyes is slightly yellowed by the loss of some of its blue. Simple.

But with the sun setting down, this simplicity was seemed much more complex to me- the brilliance of colours was splendid - something so very captivating. The pink crimson rays alluded more than its literal meaning. The orange haze splashed a warm sensation onto me, and the calmness flew by with the wind making me heart stop for a second. Oh wait! Was I seeing this all from my own terrace?

The chirping birds flying like free souls through the canvas of dusk amidst the infinite azure space. These heavens-bound birdies looked so happy together relishing the play of colours from zenith to the horizon flaunting their confidence and happiness like they knew it all.

And here we are so reluctant to let ourselves be- so fearful of change- so fretful for handling any pressures. Isn’t life also the same? Don’t we get brawnier and stronger with every darkness that we sail through. Don’t we gain all the optimism to fly higher with each passing day? Don’t we just become a better version of ourselves with changing shades of life? Just a few minutes on the terrace brought in so much introspection. Bliss it was.

Straight up, even after so much reflection, I don’t know if I am yet ready to try on the newer shades. All I know is that after today, I plan to go more often to my terrace looking in peace and whenever  I sit down to tint in with my brushes next, my sky might just be pink and not blue for a change.

Reminds me of my daughter’s status that read a few days back “Great things never came from comfort zones.” Right my sweetheart I promise to take you very seriously.

I AM OLD SCHOOL

I have good manners

Not because I want to be liked

It’s because they are absolutely essential

I show respect to my elders

Not because its requested

It’s because its required

I accept my fault first

Not because I want to be nice

It’s because its no one else’s

I like to do my chores

Not because they are rewarded

It’s because I am expected

I do not answer back to my elders

Not because I am afraid

It’s because I hate to raise fingers at my seniors

I like to worship each day

Not because ritual is the question

It’s because prayers are the answers

I do not like to quit

Not because I am strong

It’s because quitting is never an option

I trust people whom I love

Not because I am silly

It’s because I have strong morals

I believe in repairing & not throwing  people or things

Not because I have a lot of time

It’s because its worth it

I still like flowers and not thumbs up

Not because I am not an influencer

It’s because they are more real

I still believe in handwritten letters

Not because I don’t like changing with time

It’s because opening an envelope is more romantic

I love real dates to Tinder

Not because I am afraid of the unknown

It’s because texting is not courting

I like to go to picnics

Not because I am not a e-athlete

It’s because fresh air & sunshine are hard to beat

I like hills, trees and small towns

Not because I cant cope with the fast life

It’s Because they are more peaceful than stone buildings

I prefer flipping an album

Not because I can’t keep a backup

It’s Because the memories seem closer in my hands

I like golden era music

Not because I am not into the new stuff

It’s Because it used to mean more

I like calling to wish birthdays

It’s because a real conversation is more profound

 Than reading a text

Yes, please and sorry are still a part of my vocabulary

Not because its good manners

It’s because doing the right thing makes you feel good

I prefer long drives to Netflix

Not because I need to get away from home

It’s because open roads make you think a lot more

I don’t swear by things

Not because it’s a bad thing

It’s because I am straightforward

I like Eye contacts while talking

Not because I am insecure

It’s because I like to pay attention

I like remembering phone numbers

Not because I don’t trust Google

It’s because there is a certain joy in dialling them

I like to write with my pencil

Not because typing is consuming

It’s because I like erasing my flawed notes

I respect the stay at home women

Not because I am more educated

It’s because one of them raised me

Some outfits never make it out of doors

Not because its scandalous

It’s Because I like to be me

I love wearing sarees

Not because I have to follow my traditions

It’s because ethnic and elegance is my favourite

I like being Old school

Not because I am old fashioned

Its because I was raised properly