LIFE IN A METRO (CXXV)

How is life in a Metro, a metro train. Recently I have shifted my house and now metro is more feasible and comfortable than car. Though I have to change metro line in between and have to travel 15 stations, but metro is best way to combat road traffic. For few days I was not able to get a seat. Believe me, finding seat in metro requires some skills. Now I could easily get it keeping in view the timings, the coach, ladies reserved seat and many other factors which add to such skills. More so it requires a lot of good luck. I started believing in luck after this only. 

Metro is the best place to read. I have completed so many books while in metro. And it is best place to know people, to study different human lives, to know life in a city. I was stressed one day from office work and next I heard a woman talking on phone about her professional life. She sounded more stressed than me and I started feeling better thinking that others have bigger problems than me.

Once I was reading a book, An Equal Music by Vikram Seth. A sixteen year old initiated

conversation and we ended up talking about books, writers, lawyers (I being lawyer), army (she belonged to army background). She told that I look like a teacher and I in no way took it as a compliment. She laughed on this. The time went by in a snap and her station came.

I sometimes wonder that why people keep running on stations and are in so much hurry during security check and while keeping their bags on security machine. Metro comes in every 4-5 minutes and it keeps me pondering that what these people save in those 5 minutes if they miss that train. Getting hurt and falling down would probably take more time. I walk calmly and still I see them in the same metro with me.

One old aunty has  become my friend, a smiley friend I call her. We have same timings I suppose. We have never talked but whenever we see each other we simply smile.

Metro as rightly said is truly the lifeline of Delhi. Everyday in metro, add new experiences in my life and probably that's why I am writing this while in metro only.

Picture Source: Live Mint as photography is prohibited in metro

FROM EYES OF A LOCAL- DHARAMSHALA (CXXIV)

15th June-19th June

I have visited Dharamshala around 10-12 times now and every time I visit this  place I see its different picture. As all my plans are sudden, this time also I booked tickets on Friday morning and by night I was sitting in the bus. I cannot express how badly I was craving for mountains. So after a gap of 1 and a half month (as my last trip was Mumbai) I was going back to Himalayas. 

Dharamshala- From Eyes of a Local

I reached Dharamshala where my friend Ashish was waiting for me. I checked-in in Devdar Hotel Resort and from there my journey started- journey from eyes of a local where I visited places which I had not visited earlier.

View from Devdar Resort

PALAMPUR

Ride from Devdar Resort to Palampur is beautiful. Palampur is famous for its beautiful tea gardens and also for Dominos. Well! I tried Dominos for the first time in hills and it was such a great fun.  

NEUGAL KHAD (Palampur)

Neugal Khad- It has become my favourite place now. Fresh water, serenity and calmness and with hardly any crowd, this is a prefect place to take that dip in water to detoxify your body, mind and heart. 

My friend Sanjeev busy in stone balancing

On the way from Neugal Khad to Dharamshala there comes Guddu Fast Food dhaba where you get amazing Dosa. Imagining Dosa in hills, and my mouth has started watering. 

SAVE TIBET FRIENDS CORNER

It is a small beautiful cafe in Dharamshala which offers a spectacular view. This is a perfect place to spend some lone time reading a book and watching the mountains. I had masala chai and their famous delicious egg noodles. I was reading Animal Farm by George Orwell and there comes these lines: 

"Man is the only creature that consumes without producing. He does not give milk, he does not lay eggs, he is too weak to pull the plough, he cannot run fast enough to catch rabbits. Yet he is lord of all the animals. He sets them to work, he gives back to them the bare minimum that will prevent them from starving, and the rest he keeps for himself."

The quote I read in the cafe:

"What we do is a measure of who we are. If we imagine our work as labour, we become labourers. If we imagine our work as art, we become artists. "

TEA GARDENS OF DHARAMSHALA

Travelling in hills is like meditation. We went to tea gardens of Dharamshala and everything was so peaceful there. Peace is in the stillness, I believe- stillness of the mountains, the trees. Peace is in the stillness of mind and heart, when I am not thinking anything, when I am not feeling anything. 

LOCAL FOOD

All this while I was exploring different cafes and restaurants of Dharamshala and I missed the most important and delicious gol gappas near Maximus Mall and Khatta Mora. For people who are fond of non-vegetarian food,  Meat Chawal and non-veg Khatta Mora are major attractions in Dharamshala where you get full non-veg rice thali for only Rs 100.

Virender Sir- In travelling industry he is considered as a senior-experienced person.
I had a talk with him and he is so down to earth and young by heart. 

In these 3 days I went to Palampur, Naddi, Jia, Neugal, Mcleodganj. Exploring the unexplored, and exploring like a local was a great and learning experience. 

Beautiful Landscapes at Jia

RIP (CXXIII)

Warning: This is not a happy post

Death is always hurtful. And all of us have experienced the pain related to it. But I wonder whether we actually respect it. This is one thing where the scientists also could not reach. We do not know what happens after death. What happens beyond this world. We only know the pain attached to it. And that pain is not felt by the dead, but by the people who are alive. That pain is felt by us.

We must respect that pain, we must respect the life of the person who is gone, who is no more with us, we must respect his contributions to this world, we must respect the feelings of the people attached to him. 

In today's world we have become so busy that we feel that if we type simple "RIP" we have done our duty. I would rather say that do not type anything. Do not waste those 'important' few seconds of your life typing these three letters. 

A person needs our call, our assurance, our friendship when he loses somebody. Our 'RIP' does no good to him, where we do not have much time to write its full form. 

I sometimes wonder that why acronyms came into existence and I studied the history behind it. Acronyms usually are used to define long Proper Nouns (NATO, UN, Scuba, BBC etc.) and later for SMS where there was a world limit. Well, both the uses do not hold good in this case. What holds good here is that we have become emotionless, money making machines. We hardly care for people around us. We hardly respect.    

To all of us who have saved those few seconds:

RIP the humanity

RIP the time we have saved typing RIP

पत्र पेटी - लेटर बॉक्स (CXXII)

पत्र पेटी यानि की अंग्रेजी में लेटर बॉक्स l लाल और  काले रंग का l आज भी जब मैं अपने घर के बाहर इस लेटर बॉक्स को देखती हूँ तो पुरानी यादों में खो जाती हूँ  l इसके बड़े से मुख  में लेटर फेंकना बहुत ही दिलचस्प लगता था मुझे  l  ऐडमिशन   की ऍप्लिकेशन, कॉलेज  के पत्र, दादी को खत- सब कुछ ये एक लेटर बॉक्स समेट  लेता था l  

कहते थे की लाल रंग की मेल  गाड़ी देखो तो उँगलियाँ क्रॉस करके कुछ भी मांग लो, और उन उँगलियों को इस लेटर बॉक्स को देखकर खोलो, सारी ख्वाहिशें  पूरी हो जायेंगी  l  मैं  घंटों इस लेटर बॉक्स के आने  का इंतज़ार करती थी l  उँगलियाँ दर्द हो जाती थीं , पर वो  तमन्नायें ज़्यादा ज़रूरी थीं l 

अब  तो ना  ही वो तमन्नायें रहीं और ना  ही वो पत्र l  बस ये लेटर बॉक्स है और मेरी कुछ यादें l 

   

MY STAY IN KALPA, HIMACHAL (CXXI)

..Continued from the last post Jouney to Kalpa ..

Let me start from where I left the last post. 

So in last post I had reached Kalpa after travelling for 21 hours and Aman, my host from Apple Pie was waiting for me. All this while I was in continuous  touch with Aman. We had never met before but he already became my confidante and I was eagerly looking forward to meet him. I saw Aman and we gave a formal hug to each other.  

Well! It is difficult to write about a person when you know him too well, when you are close to him and when you know that he would be reading this. But I will be honest with my feelings here. That is the whole purpose of my writings. 

So as I entered Apple Pie one word "Wow" came from my mouth. View from Apple Pie was ecstatic. Snow covered peaks, Tibetan flags, view of Kalpa Village, everything was serene about that place.

Aman's cook was on leave so he prepared omelette and chai for me. I must say that he is a great cook and I being mean, I wished till the time I was there his cook should not come. And my wish was granted. So for the next 5 days I had the most scrumptious and luscious food.

I spent the first day lazing around- watching mountains, eating, reading, thinking.  I was quite tired after the long journey. I was trying to imbibe the place, the people. It was almost evening and I was sitting reading my book in the cafe. A family of four - husband, wife and two kids came to Apple Pie. Aman knew them before. Those kids- I have not come across such kids in this modern society before. Though they were naughty but they were well behaved, smiling , laughing and talking. The girl was in eight standard and quite intelligent. She was creative too. And the boy must be in pre-school only. I hardly saw them crying or cribbing. Obviously the credit for this goes to their parents. The mother- Prerna, who was fond of learning languages and reading books, she told that they often travel, the whole family. They had come to Kalpa from Delhi in their car. That was a long journey. And that was their second time to Kalpa. I feel travelling helps children in their growth- to grow as a mature and an understanding person, to adjust easily to different situations, to be more compatible. I had a great time with those kids.

Night view from Apple Pie- when moon was shining brightly

 IT IS A SMALL WORLD

My stories of "It is a small world" never ends. (other stories which were shocking for me Arambol, Goa)
- It was the third day and I was sitting in balcony when a group of three people came on bikes. Two guys entered and the third one was wearing the helmet. They booked a room after talking for a while with Aman. I saw them and did not pay much attention. I was engrossed in my thoughts. At night when I was sitting for dinner, one of the guys entered (the helmet guy). I saw him and I could not believe my eyes. I got confused. I asked in shock, "Mishra!". And he replied in shock, "Nancy". And we started laughing.
Me: How come you are here?
He: On a trip. I saw you in afternoon also, and I thought that I have seen this girl somewhere.
Me: You have forgotten me?
He: No no! I thought that it was you but then I felt that how could you be here. This place is so far. It was may be some other girl who resembles you.
Me: (Laughing) I am so glad to see you after such a long time.

I was meeting Yogesh Mishra almost after an year. I met him in Bir through a common friend. And here I was meeting him in Kalpa.

- While I was roaming around Kalpa I met a guy- J K Pandey. He was also on solo trip. Married and settled in Mumbai he was a mountain lover.  We talked for a while and he went on his own way.
Later that day Anshul messaged me (Anshul, the guy whom I had met during the Journey to Kalpa).
He told that he had met a guy who was talking about me. Being a female solo traveller, he was quite inspired from me. He was J K Pandey. I was shocked and glad at the same time. Two people whom I had met randomly at different places, at different time met somewhere and talking about me.

My five days stay at Apple Pie went amazing. Days were spent around roaming, visiting places. And evenings were spent talking with Aman. We used to talk for hours, sitting in cafe, in balcony, in car while he puts his camera on tripod for making star trails or time lapse videos (the tripod which I had collected from his friend and brought from Delhi on a deal that he would click my photos, which he did). Aman looks totally different of what he actually is. Being straight forward he sounds rude but he is kind, he sounds arrogant but he is very down to earth. He is a voracious reader and he writes poetry. It is not easy to understand him without spending time with him. He knows what he wants and he is quite clear in his thoughts. He respects women. And towards me- I got pampered like anything. He packed food for me when I went for Chaka trek (that food came as a saviour), he was almost packing food for my return journey where I pleaded him that I would prefer eating road side food. He almost knew what I wanted before even asking for it. While returning he gifted me special Shimla apple jam which I still relish.

This place is a hub for travellers and people who are associated with this industry. I met so many different kinds of people here- people running tours and travel business, transport business, travel couples, groups.

And for me- this place became home in just few days.

Places around Kalpa and an adventurous trek are following in next blog. 

Videos and more pictures on Facebook page and Instagram handle

The Day I Realised that I Am Alive

Insta handle

MY 7 DAYS IN KALPA, HIMACHAL (CXX)

28th March- 4th April, 2018

JOURNEY TILL KALPA

Kalpa- What is it? 

In Hindu and Buddhist cosmology, kalpa refers to the period of time between the creation and dissolution meaning the recreation of Universe. 

And I must say this place is as beautiful as its meaning.

I wanted to go to Kalpa since the first solo trip I took to Narkanada. And this was probably the time. 

I took evening bus from ISBT Delhi till Rampur, Himachal. I knew that for the next 14 hours my life was confined to that small rectangle, with a window on my right and one unknown person on my left. Watching outside the window I tried to decipher lives of people outside and also to touch the life of that unknown. So that Mr 'Unknown' turned out to be Amit, Amit Thakur from Shimla. Our conversations started normally with our professions and jobs. Some cliche conversations which always help to break the ice. And those cliche conversations turned out to be interesting where we talked about travelling, college days, old songs, poetry and different treks. We did not exchange any numbers neither the social media profiles. He got down at Shimla and I bade him goodbye.

The conductor came to check the tickets and asked me twice to ensure that I was really travelling to Rampur. The bus stopped at the dinner point and I purchased a token for Masala Dosa. I was at the counter and the conductor came to me, " Arre, I was looking for you. Where were you? Oh! You purchased the coupon. I was inviting you to have dinner. They cook special dinner for us. Anyways, enjoy your meal." I was little shocked but I thanked him. 

In Shimla half the bus became empty and further in Narkanda another half. For a while I was alone in the bus. The bus stopped at a breakfast joint. Conductor was very inquisitive and protective too. He asked me where and why I was travelling alone. Where- I replied to Kalpa. And his eyes became wide opened. "Too far", he said. Why- I myself did not know the answer of it. So to sound genuine and authentic I told him that I had been travelling alone and had previously came to Narkanda and on another trip to Sarahan.  He was amazed. I ordered paranthas for me when the cook who was listening to our conversation started smiling at me. I smiled back and he said, "Wapis aate huye zarur milna (Do meet me again on your return journey)"  

After 14 hours I got down at Rampur where the conductor told me to catch bus till Reckong Peo. I sat in the bus reading my book. It was approximately 4-5 hours journey. A guy was sitting beside me. For once or twice my eyes got shut, owe it to the long travelling hours and I almost fell on him. I was feeling sorry but he smiled. He was Aman from Rampur doing mobile business in area around Rampur. Listening to my story he was shocked and happy at the same time. He said, "It is good to meet people (girl/female) like you. I wish you a happy journey. I hope our paths meet again." He got down somewhere in between and I again started looking out of the window. 

Best part about travelling alone is that I meet random people where we do not discuss our jobs or the problems attached to it. We discuss books and authors, poets and poetry, stars and weather, cafes, cinema and theatre. 

The bus took another halt and I got down stretching my legs. A guy with wide smile, specs and a geek look (I easily get attracted to geeks) suddenly asked, "Are you travelling solo?" "Yes", I replied. "Wow! Where are you heading to?" and our conversation started where I got to know that he was travelling to Chitkul alone and that he writes poetry. Poetry, that one thing which connects me to people easily. We exchanged numbers with a promise to meet again in Delhi. That guy was Anshul and now my very good friend. 

I reached Reckong Peo and I felt ecstatic after seeing the view. White mountains, fresh air and Indian flag dancing on the sound of winds.  From Reckong Peo I had to catch another bus till  Kalpa. I spent some time at bus stop and boarded the bus which would take me to my final destination Kalpa.

I reached Kalpa in half an hour from Reckong Peo, where Aman, my host from Apple Pie was waiting for me. All this while I was in continuous  touch with Aman. We had never met before but he had already became my confidante and I was eagerly looking forward to meet him. 

View from Apple Pie

My stay in Kalpa, more people I met in the journey, places around Kalpa and an adventurous trek are following in next blog. 

Videos and more pictures on Facebook page

https://www.facebook.com/thedayirealisedthatiamalive/

HIDDEN GEM NEAR DHARAMSHALA- INDRU NAG (CXIX)

Perks of having friends in different cities- you get to know unexplored, hidden places. 

It was a sudden weekend plan to Dharamshala- probably my seventh or eighth trip to this place. I was sitting and chilling in my hotel balcony when my friend offered to go for a scooter ride. My hotel- Hotel Sunshine Villa is a beautiful hotel amidst the nature. Flowing water of Manjhi Khad beneath and snow covered peaks above, hotel's balcony offers a breathtaking view.  

This trip was a runaway from the mundane life in Delhi. It happens with me sometimes, when despite any reason I become upset. I was sitting in the balcony thinking about 'everything'- my past, my present and my future. Overthinking is bad, they say but it helps sometimes. 

I have been hurt indefinite times and I have been betrayed numerable times, but that does not stop me to fall in love again, that does not prevent me to trust people again, that does not create fear of being betrayed again. I thought that even the brightest of mountains become dark at night. That is a cycle- cycle of life.  

View from Balcony

View from Room

I was enjoying the view  and  I was little reluctant but I agreed for the ride. We went to Indru Nag and I must say that it was the right decision.

Indru Nag is a temple constructed by villagers on Indru- Nag hill dedicated to God of Snakes and Rains.

How to Reach

It is 5 kms from Dharamshala Bus Station. One could go by road or could trek till the hill.

Landmark- Take the road upwards from Karnika Resort

Starting point of Trek

Indru Nag Temple

The hill has an option of paragliding (though it is not famous as paragliding in Bir Billing) and zip line crossing also. 

View from Indru- Nag

A local religious ceremony was going on in the temple where village women were singing local songs. I smiled at them, took photographs and videos and they smiled back.
We found a spot for us to sit and relax. My friend started working on his laptop and I got engrossed in my book again.

Videos and more pictures on Facebook page
 https://www.facebook.com/thedayirealisedthatiamalive/

JUDGEMENTS (CXVIII)

Judgement! Right judgement or wrong judgement! Why is there a need of judgement? And this is something I am talking aloof from law. 

We see a person and start judging him. We meet him and talk to him and form an opinion about him and then the series of judgements start. Check his Facebook, Instagram, Likendin profiles and create judgments from his pictures and statuses. Ask him about his work and generate another opinion about his intellect.  Ask him his address and judge about his economic strength. His full name and here comes opinions and beliefs about his caste, character and nature. Inquire about his past, a further judgment, question about his future and a new judgment. 

He laughs a lot, means he is sad. He talks a lot, means he is alone. And with everything he does or does not a supplementary opinion comes.   

Why can’t we just for a while stop thinking and take the things as they come. Why can't we just have a pure, personal understanding, involving no judgments.

चाय और उसमें से उड़ता धुआं ! (CXVII)

ऑफिस - मुझे  ऑफिस  जाना   पसंद  है l और  इसका  पूरा  श्रेय  उस   सुबह  वाली  ऑफिस  की  चाय  को   जाता  है l चाय  और  उसमें  से  उड़ता  धुआं l वो  पहला  घूँट  चाय  का , लगता  है  मानो  यही  जन्नत  हो l बिना  उस  चाय  के  काम  की  शुरुआत  नहीं  होती , दिन  की  शुरुआत  नहीं  होती l  और  चाय  भी  नायाब  होनी  चाहिए - कड़क , बिल्कुल सफ़ेद नहीं , इलाइची  और  अदरक  वाली l सामने  अगर  कोल्ड  ड्रिंक , द्राक्षासव, तरल-पदार्थ, आसव, पेय, मदिरा, शर्बत और  चाय  हो  तो  मैं  चाय  को  ही  चुनूंगी l चाय  सब  कुछ  है - सुबह  की  अंगड़ाई , शाम  की  गप -शप , रात  की  थकान l कोई  रूठे  तो  चाय , मज़ाक  तो  चाय , डेट  पे  चाय , दोस्ती  की  शुरुआत  है  चाय , ब्रेक-अप  पे  चाय l हर  सुख-दुःख  की  साथी  है  ये चाय l  

चाय  और  उसमें  से  उड़ता  धुआं - सच्चा  प्यार  तो  यही  है l  

Dharer, Himachal

SUCCESS, HAPPINESS AND TIME (CXVI)

I often come across this line and this has been taught to us since childhood- "Time is money. Do not waste time and you will be successful”. 

I do not understand what wasting time means. Is it talking with friends, chatting with them, listening to songs, dancing, watching useless videos, watching stupid movies, reading novels, partying or just sleeping? I do all this because I enjoy this. It makes me happy. I realised that time can never be wasted. Whatever we do, we always utilise “TIME”.

And then I wonder what exactly success is. Is it being rich, being powerful or both? Or is it being happy, just 'happy'? Why success is always measured in money? Why all the books, biographies have been written on people who are rich and 'successful' ? Why not any biography is written on the happiest and 'most successful' person on this earth? 

Enjoying my time brings happiness to me. And that happiness is success for me.

WHAT DO YOU SEEK FROM THIS TRIP? (CXV)

Me: I am going for a trip. I have booked the tickets but haven't booked the return tickets yet. I have told my dad that I will be back in ten days, though I am not sure about it.

He: Can I ask you something? What do you seek from this trip?

Me: Well! I go without any expectations. Every trip teaches me something. And if nothing much, it acts as a good break. 

Between, I have finished reading Into The Wild by Jon Krakauer.

He: Really! So what it is your opinion on it? Was he crazy?

Me:  I loved it. It delves into lot of psychological, philosophical acts.

And he was not crazy. Not at all! He was a seeker. 

He: What did he get?

Me: He himself is the best person to answer that. But if I put myself in his place I would get peace. Peace for being away from the society, its hypocrisy, its cliches. And if I would be alive after such a trip then I would become more confident with more self respect and self satisfaction. I might get answers to many questions which are still unanswered.  

He: So you get insights. But tell me, you return to the same old world that forced you to take a life altering path. How would you be able to deal with the same rust? How would you fix things? 

She: This World is good, society is also good. The whole battle is within us, with us. Stop expecting, stop getting hurt, stop getting attached. Then we would be the happiest people on this earth. And to win over this battle is the most difficult task and that's what travelling does for us. 

He: Inner harmony is what you are pointing at. I totally agree.  I feel he was doing justice to himself. He could have been a bit more prepared though. I seriously want such people with wisdom to flourish and inspire. And sorry for asking so many questions.

She: So true. And O! I love such conversations. 

THOSE CONVERSATIONS (CXIV)

He: Are you awake? Can we talk?

She: Yes! My eyes and ears are wide open and I love talking to you.

He: I wanted to share my thoughts, my feelings. I have some strong views against the society.

She: And what are those?

He: I am worried about the education system. I think the vocation and dreams do not align nowadays. There is too much of marketing everywhere. There is this meaningless competition everywhere which continues to the deathbed. There is materialism, individualism, power. There is greed. This is not healthy.

She (while thinking): But that is the way it is happening since ages. Society keeps running on the same rules and regulations, on the same laws. Everything is cliche. You are so right. There is no scope of any creativity these days.

He: Exactly! Creativity is the thing I was hinting at. We are being conditioned to be the next big machine.

She: I was feeling the same thing few days back and I wrote this: 

"Sometimes I cry when I am not sad

Sometimes I laugh when I am not happy

I have removed all the shackles

Disowned all the rules and regulations

Abandoned all the cliches."

He: This is some good stuff. I also write sometimes. Writing is the best way to vent out feelings. It acts as catharsis for me.  I am a dreamer. But don't take me as a total dreamer.

She: Even if you are, that is awesome. We are all living because of our dreams, otherwise life is a myth. 

कागज़ और कलम (CXIII)

आजकल बिना कुछ लिखे नींद नहीं आती l शायद लिखकर ही मैं अपनी बात बयान कर पाती हूँ l मैं क्या सोचती हूँ , क्या समझती हूँ , क्या व्यक्त करना चाहती हूँ - यह और कोई समझे या ना समझे , ये कलम ज़रूर समझ जाती है l

मिली हूँ मैं बहुत से लेखकों से , किताबें भी बहुत सी पढ़ी हैं l अच्छे लेखक और अच्छी किताबें कुछ ही होती हैं l  कुछ ही होती हैं जो आँख में आँसू और चेहरे पर मुस्कान ले आती हैं l शायद वो किताबें दर्द से , दिल से लिखी गयी हैं l

मेरे लिए लिखना एक कला नहीं , खुदी से बात करने का ज़रिया है l  लिखकर एक शांति , एक सुकून सा मिलता है l  मानो दिन भर की सारी थकान , सारा चिड़ चिड़ापन इस कागज़ पर उतार दिया हो l मानो मेरा सारा दर्द इस कागज़ ने सुन लिया हो l 

PEOPLE WHO HURT ME (CXII)

I feel most of our daily problems revolve around people. Probably that is why most saints detach themselves from this world, they detach themselves from people.

I get hurt when I courier a book to someone and they don't even inform me that they have got the book.
I get hurt when in a book exchange, despite the promise,  I do not get the book from the other side.
I get hurt when on a trip my friend keeps drinking without appreciating the beauty around.
I get hurt when somebody who is earning more than me borrows money and never returns it.
I get hurt when I offer friendship but the guy has 'hots' for me.
I get hurt when acquaintances interfere in my personal life.
I get hurt when somebody whistles when I am cycling.
I get hurt when someone passes their share of work on me.
I get hurt when someone copie my poems
And many a times I feel lonesome and broken.

But for me, detachment is not the solution. We as humans are meant to be amongst humans. We are here to love and learn.

I feel happy when somebody sends me a thank you note after receiving my book.
I feel happy when in a book exchange someone sends me two instead of one book.
I felt happy when a female friend showed her gratitude by writing a long message as to how she felt strong and more confident after the trip with me.
I feel happy when somebody offers me help on my solo trips.
I feel happy when I meet random people and have long conversations with them.
I feel happy when strangers unknowingly solve my problems by telling stories about their own lives.
I feel happy when people clear the way for me and help me out with directions while I am cycling.
I feel happy when someone does my work when I am overburdened.
I feel happy when someone is inspired from my writings.
And, I, most of the times, am confident and smiling.

जन्मदिन (CXI)

हर साल की तरह आज फिर उनका जन्मदिन था I  सोचा दूर हैं तो क्या हुआ , इस बहाने बात ही हो जाएगी I बहुत से ऐसे दोस्त हैं जिनसे साल में दो बारी ही बात होती है, एक उनके जन्मदिन पर और एक मेरे I  

तो जब उन्हें जन्मदिन की बधाई दी, वो कहते, " बधाई किस बात कि I आज  ज़िन्दगी से एक साल और कम हो गया I " 

थोड़ी हैरानी हुई सुनकर पर मैंने कहा , " शुक्र है कि ज़िन्दगी का  ये एक साल ठीक से बीत गया I " वो हँसे  और कहते, " तुम क्या जानो कैसे बीता है ये एक साल I " कुछ सही नहीं था शायद I पहले ऐसे नकारात्मक तो नहीं थे वो I 

मैंने सोचा और कहा , " शुक्र है ये साल अच्छे से बीत गया, और अगर नहीं बीता तो शुक्र है कि बीत गया I" 

वो मुस्कुराये और बोले "समझदार हो गयी हो, कहाँ से सीखा है ? "  क्या जवाब देती I बस इतना पता था कि ऐसे ही जन्मदिन आते गए, जाते गए, और सिखाते गए I