Get Off Your Cross

We Christians have an habit of asociating all our troubles and trials in life to our very own cross that we have to carry and whose burden we have to bear. Be it an abusive spouse, or a spouse with a drinking problem, or children who have gone astray, or whatever problems and difficulties that we have to face in life, all of these are associated to the cross that we have to carry around. You have a number of people reminding you about this.

But then are going to live with these crosses forever, carrying them around with wherever we go in life???? Are we going to suffer on our crosses for eternity??? Aren't we not going to something??? Shouldn't we be finding a solutions for all our problems or ways to face the trials and tribulations that life throws at us.

The idea should not be about carrying our crosses, it should be that we should challenge the cross that we bear. Find a solution that could put an end, or at least strength to face it. We all have crosses to carry in life, but cannot go around carrying them forever. We shouldn't be hanging from our Christ, but get of it.

Partition: Then & Now

Sometimes you wonder what was the outcome of an event?? Was the outcome of the event what was expected??? I've benn reading The Train to Pakistan by Kushwant Singh, which shows how the life of a little village, Mano Majra, was changed with the appearance of a train full of dead Sikhs from Lahore. Reading the book makes you wonder that was this what was intended when the country partitioned? Reading (and seeing the images) of all the looting, killing, raping, plundering, makes you wonder what were the benefits of partition. The lives of thousands were changed forever. They lost everything, their livelihood, their property, their families and even their lives. And why??? Bescause some people tried to incite the situation by giving a communal outlook. An eye for an eye, kill two or every person killed, rape and dishonour woman, all this does makes you sick. Your blood even boils when you read about people who took advantage of the situation and incited the mob to go on a killing spree. The Partition will always be a blot on both the countries' history, a barberic act that was committed.

The partition occurred in 1947, but you wonder if the situation has changed in present time??? There is still communal tension between these communities. This was seen in the Babri Masjid demolotion and the riots that occured after it and not forgeting the Mumbai blasts and the riots in Godra. Still thousands of people loose their lives, properties and woman their honour. And why does this happens because we still have people who incite people to riots. They are now politician and no longer some ordinary person, politician with a huge clout, who can get away with racial comments and even murder. They use their gathering to call for chasing a particular community from the country and bringing them to their knees. And not to forget attacking gathering of other communities. They use their gathering and newspapers to spread their propaganda. And what do we do, we elect them back to power.

Sometimes I wonder how many people more have to loose their lives, livelihood, properties, families and woman their honour, before we take some action against them???

Smaller Gestures

Today as I left my place for work, a small child, probably a year old, came running up to me and said "Uncle flower", placing a small flower that she may have plucked from the garden, in my hand. I couldn't help but smile and marvel at this gesture of this child. Not only did this child suceed in bringing a smile on my face, but it brightened up what could be decribed as a normal, mundane and sleepy morning. I know the flower may not make it through the day, leave alone a couple of hours, but this gesture is going to be embedded in my mind for eternity.I will always remember this small but mighty gesture of this child who brightened my day with a little flower.

My Own Little Miss Sunshine Road trip

I had my own Little Miss Sunshine Raod trip to Goa and back, a week ago (depending when you read this blog). Felt like little Olive getting a call for something I eagerly wanted, something that would change the course of life and shake it from all its mundane and monotonous ways. Had my own little adventure to get there. Instead of a van there was a Maruti Zen. Instead of an entire dysfunctional family trying to get you to your destined event, there was my elder sister, with her friend and her friend's brother. Preparing you for what could happen at the event. There were adventures on the way. Bright light of passing vehicles that seem to blind the poor driver (my sis for sometime), wrong turns landing us in wrong locations (again her), a badly shredded flat tyres, travelling through the ghats by night, never ending road signs that kept increasing kilometers as travelled on and not forgetting the scare of reveller of the carnival happening at the time. But then there were the scenic roads and the beauty of nature. The beauty of watching a sunrise from behind the mountains. The road that dipped and climbed and zig zagged and went round and round hills and Ghats. Tree forming tunnel over the roads. And not forgetting the tea stops along the way. Reading road signs and laughing at some funny messages. The excitement of changing a flat. And not forgetting the beauty and the old world charm of Goa and the cuisine (however couldn't have non-veg as it was the season of Lent). Going for a Saturday Bazaar (read flea market) full of foreigners buying what you could only term as junk. Sipping on their beers and drinks, and dancing to a live band (However couldn't understand what the band was singing). However the purpose why we travelled over 382 Kms to Goa was not successful. But did learn a lot about the thing I we gone there for.

Definitely never going to forget this short but interesting road trip. My own Little Sunshine adventure.

In Time of Trouble

They say when you are down and depressed, one of the way of coping with such situations is to distract your mind. Look at the positives of life instead of concentrating on the negatives. These days have been pretty harrowing and scary and downright depressive. So was just thinking of what could get my spirits up, when all i can feel is the lows of life? What could prop me up and help me through time.

There are number of hymns and songs that could be my saviour, my rope in getting over bad time.

For example, the following hymn:

When upon life bellows's you are tempest tossed,
When you are discouraged thinking all is lost,
Count your many blessing name them one by one,
And you will discover what the LORD has done.

or this one,

Give them all, give them all to Jesus,
Shattered dream, wounded hearts, broken toys,
And he'll turn your sorrow into joy.

Or my favourite from the Sound of Music

When the dog bites, when the be stings,
When my salary is taxed (Note the modification)
I simply remember my favourite things,
And then I don't feel so bad.

School Anthems

There is always a sense of pride when you sing any anthem. Be it the national anthem, the school anthem or your love anthem.

There was point in my life when I used to go to Antonio De'souza High School, Byculla, when I used to be envious about my sisters cause they used to have a school anthem and they used to sing it, or try to remember it when she met with friends.

There is a sense of pride and belonging when you sing your school anthem. Finally did the get the pleasure of having a school anthem when I changed school to Don Bosco, Lonavla. It was always fun to sing it after assemblies, sports day, annual days, accompanied by a guitar or the keyboard or even the whole band. Each and every word made you feel that you belonged to a great institution.

Let's join in a chorus,
To sing to the glory,
The glory of Don Bosco Lonavla,
With one heart, and voice,
We sing never seizing,
The Glory of Don Bosco Lonavla.

Virtuous, Incendese, Vireous,
Let our motto be,
Because we believe,
That virtues kindle strength,
This is good for you and me.

Don Bosco we love and cherish,
Be our father and helps us on our way,
Be our guide we want to be like you,
We your sons and daughters Pray Today.

Why do I even bother polishing my shoes???

Sometimes I wonder why the hell I even bother polishing my shoes. When you get into a crowded local at peak hours, your feet is so stamped that you may even forget the what the colour of your shoes were. Not forget the sore toes.

I wonder why do I bother ironing my clothes. Its' bound to get crumpled in the train. What do you expect when you are packed in a compartment. And to top it all the heat and sweat. Once you get off the train i am sure your shirt would resemble Mandakini's wet saree from Ram Tere Gang Malee. you'd be showing of your assets (or liabilities if you aren't in shape).