Friday, 26 September 2014

Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind



She could not swim!

He knew that she could not.

She had a fear of the deep waters.

He knew why she feared the familiar.

She was more of an anchor, steadfast, strong.

He promised to help her to overcome her anxiety.

She tested the waters, hoping he would be there close.

She felt good, the water felt good. Comfortable. Warm. Safe.

He helped her a while to stay afloat, promising to be there if she needed him.

It felt like bliss, maybe she could trust herself to let go of the floaters she was still attached to?

He took her to the sea...
Played along the sandy shores..
Promised her the vast ocean to immerse herself.

He told her to let go. She did. She felt herself being sucked in.. deeper...
Fear!! She was not ready yet! She cried for help. She stretched her hand out.
And pleaded for help, reached out to him, her eyes screaming louder. Her voice from afar..

He ignored her cries! 
Did he want her to save herself, learn to fend for herself? 
Or did he simply not care? Did he not hear her heartrending pleas?

Drowning,  heart sinking, her tears becoming one with the waters, dying within, her feet like lead, her body limp, sinking slowly to the bottom, Cold..

She felt a light tug, a pull at her heart, a warmth slowly engulfing her, her limbs slowly moving, her face being held in a strong grip, her body being slowly lifted…..

Air… breathing… life surging… slow awakening… feeling… moving…. 
She did not remember how she came to be lying on the shore. 
She felt changed inside, lost, but found!

She saw him, in the distance, a strange look on his face.
Was it happiness to have let go of maybe what he considered his shackles? 
Or was it fear for having lost his anchor?
Or was it guilt?

She walked up to him, she saw him glance her way. Was that a smile? 
Or did he not recognize her? 
He looked lost.  
His hands grazed hers. 
Did he realize she was now a stranger.   
A stranger to her own self.

Sunday, 7 September 2014

Don't Stop Believin'



“This being human is a guest house. Every morning is a new arrival. A joy, a depression, a meanness, some momentary awareness comes as an unexpected visitor...
Welcome and entertain them all. Treat each guest honorably. The dark thought, the shame, the malice, meet them at the door laughing, and invite them in. Be grateful for whoever comes, because each has been sent as a guide from beyond.”
Rumi

 Our passion rules us, our ambitions drive us! Our beliefs guide us, Our faith keeps us alive!

The past week, I had the opportunity to run very early morning in the park thanks to a friend dropping me off!
For someone who runs circles in the block, this was an extremely pleasant experience.

The park at 5:15 AM is extremely quiet, with very few walkers, no runners and many dogs!
The streetlights just enough to make out people.


The walkers glance at the lonely runner, the dogs uncaring!
The thump of my feet hitting the ground is all I hear at times.
I could hear the sounds in my head, the past week having  been extremely noisy and cacophonous.
The run helping to clear the confused mind!

The morning walkers are not the sprightly, energetic, fit people.
But the arthritic, probably diabetic, medically required to walk for 30 minutes to help stay healthy without frequent visits to the doctor.

They smile as they huff and puff, for some even the easy walk seems difficult, yet, they walk, cheerfully, silently!
They seem to merge with the moment and flow into a natural rhythm.
Their faith in themselves, makes me stronger.
I gain from their beliefs. Makes me want to do more!
If that is how we learn from strangers passing by, how much more can we gain from known relationships? 

As I ran through the park, the song which chanced to play at that time, made me think….

“Some will win, some will lose”

I celebrated a birthday this week.
Mostly happy moments, being remembered by old and dear friends, calls which  were unexpected; some sad moments, being forgotten by close friends, since it was expected!
We let the sorrow overpower the joys!
Yes, the tinge of sadness is sometimes needed to bring back sanity!
How much we allow others to shape us and our thoughts!!! 

I also managed to overcome a mental block and touched 30 Kms.
Sometimes, the faith that some of our friends have in us is more than what we do in ourselves.
A friend who is currently stronger in mind than body, passed on his belief in me to me!
He spoke me through it and helped me even as I was close to giving up!
All it took was a simple call, when he knew I would be close to the target, to let me know I could do it and keep going on!
The last 4 kms was just to prove to him that I could!
It was a struggle, I took my time, almost giving up.
But I did it and feel much more content irrespective of whether I will run the FM or not.

We are like social parasites, living off others’ neediness for us, feeding on others when we are hungry for emotional fulfillment.
Maybe it is a good feeling, to be wanted and to want.
Death is certain if the relationship does not exist!! 
Believe in those who believe in you....

 Don't stop believin'
Hold on to the feelin'
Streetlights, people



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VcjzHMhBtf0