The Winds of Change

"Take me to the magic of the moment
On a glory night
Where the children of tomorrow dream awayIn the wind of change."

There are some songs that can elevate you from any mood, situation or emotion! And so simply yet lucidly proclaim the feelings which you have been yearning to coherently organize and express. That’s the amazing power of music to strike a chord with the soul! It’s inspired me to write my a few lines from my heart.

My first association with the song was by sheer accident. It was one of the classics by the Scorpions that were within my ‘borrowed’ collection of songs. The very first time I heard it, I could connect with it instantly.

Strangely enough, earlier I was so apprehensive about change, its repercussions and effects. Status quo was and is always the comfort zone to which I love clinging. And paradoxically it is change and mobility which has been the source of existence in my life or for that matter anyone’s life.

New experiences, lessons of life, shedding of the rigidities, breaking free from inhibitions, developing new bonds, accepting life for what it is, giving way to what is new-these are some of the phrases linked with the meaning of change to me . The excitement, thrill and sheer experience of the magical moments would make me want to experience and absorb more and more. I would truly love to keep “blowing with the Wind of Change”. Because it is only change which is constant and keeps one moving.

"Walking down the street
Distant memories
Are buried in the past, forever.."

It’s true that somewhere the child in me still dreams away. After every disappointment, loss and struggle there is a sense of hope that prevails-as per cyclical law of nature happiness will dawn. I almost sound cynical but as the saying goes that the deepest of emotions and soul searching is colored by a spark of grief of the past and bygone years.

"The Wind of Change
Blows straight into the face of time
Like a storm wind that will ring the freedom bell.."

And it’s so true that time has been the best healer for every difficult experience and bitter memory–“The Wind of Change blows straight into the face of time” And once I release and let go the memories that imprisoned me, I felt liberated and free.

It was much later that I read about the background of the song and learned that it was about breaking the communist system down and about the positive turning of communist countries in Europe to democracy. Although there was nothing political about my thoughts. Neither does it reflect my allegiances. But somewhere I can always connect with the values of freedom, liberty and the new order (the old giving way to the new).

It’s so strange that some songs tie the personal to the collective and cross every barrier of time and space. The sheer expression of opposite feelings of hope and despair at the same time makes it a soul stirring composition that elevates me from every possible emotion which binds me. I feel larger than every experience and a step closer to the divine.

Birthday Thoughts - 9th January, 2009

As I cross another year to add a plus one to my age, I thought it was a good time to pen down some thoughts that often waver across my mind. In the hustle bustle of everyday life, I often tend to shove them away in the backseat succumbing to the demands of a corporate life and struggling to fulfill daily chores. There is simply no time to think and even if there is the mind simply wants to relax and escape any serious self introspection. Such has been the jaunt through the roller coaster ride called life over the last few years.

Birthdays are always a day to feel special. In this context I have the rare feat of feeling even more special since I happen to share this occasion with my father. Taking a peek down memory lane I still remember the birthday celebrations in the train (coming home from a vacation) wherein Maga and I distributed sweets and chocolates. The excitement of wearing a colored dress to school and cutting a swimming pool cake from Flury’s used to take over almost 10 days before- it was like a culmination of the winter events- a finale after Christmas, New Year, winter full of outings, fares and picnics. It seems strange that the little things of life like wrappers and stickers and hand written birthday card invitations were so important and valuable…somewhere lost today in the cyber and mobile age.

One universal thing across age and time that remains unchanged is the fact that birthdays are a time to celebrate and feel important. Our modes of communication have no doubt been altered and reduced from birthday cards to sms and quick std calls. But the sheer happiness of someone greeting, unexpectedly remembering you or the disappointment of someone forgetting your birthday surfaces a bag of special emotions-a reinforcement of past present and existing bonds, relationships, friendships and associations.

This year’s birthday was unexpected and exciting many ways. The prelude was colored by thoughts of how great it would have been at home and a recap of yester years. Being a Friday I did not have scope to celebrate it royally with dinning (am a converted veggie of course and all of you must be knowing that I fast on Friday). My friend was sweet and thoughtful to start the celebrations at 11 am in her house. It began with me cutting the cute cake. Life in a PG is fun with 12 o’clock celebrations. One of my buddies brought a delicious chocolate cake. I just managed to cut and quickly stuff a portion of the yummy cake at five minutes to 12.

Unexpected surprises are simply great on birthdays! I was expecting a cake from my cousin brother in 9th January morning which arrived at 12 am on Friday. The next two hours of the night and the day after in office was spent in being lauded by wishes and taking phone calls, visiting Arshiya (the girl from school)and the temple for while (did not manage much work at office).The celebrations went on till the Sunday birthday treat-the fun, frolic, food and cake cutting were special moments .I wanted to make the most of these experiences with the thought crossing my mind that I had no clue as to when and where I would be next year! Seemed to me that the unpredictability of life at times stimulates you to make the most of it.

Coinciding with the second week after New Year my birthday is always an apt time to coin and reiterate New Year Resolutions. As the year unfolds I always wonder balanced by eager anticipation and apprehension as to what the year would bring for me. I heard a very interesting saying the other day that life is full of alibis till we find true sense of purpose for it. Somehow I find a strange connection with my own life wherein things have just happened to me.

Coining a resolution and sticking by it would mean a little more effort on my part. Apart from focusing on work I would have a host of other things on the agenda. Being sensitive to feelings of others, nurturing relationships and associations, devoting some more time to unselfish ends (known as social work), concentrating on spirituality, value, being grateful for what Life has given me and above all stop complaining! (I cannot be hundred percent sure about the last one)

As a start point, I have decided to find the true meaning to life, to ACT and convert opportunities into options rather than wait for things to happen and in some way be closer to not living as an alibi.

Welcome to the World Without Boundaries!

After months of pondering, some pushing by friends, the New Year & Birthday Resolution and a spark of internal motivation, I finally decided to document my thoughts which ofcourse cross every barrier of finite boundary diluting the line between reality and imagination...I hope to explore, absorb and experience this World Without Boundaries to the chore

Am sure my forceful readers would be treated with some heavy and serious writings...although I promise to make it as simple as possible...

Enjoy!!!