The Conversation.

Today was her one month wedding anniversary. She glanced at her reflection in the six foot long mirror that adorned the bedroom wall. She looked beautiful. Her hair was tied up in a French roll and saree perfectly draped. She smiled at her reflection and knew she looked stunning.


Suddenly, her eyes were covered by someone’s palms. He whispered slowly while taking his hands away from her eyes, “Keep your eyes closed”. There stood a well built man. He was wearing a jet black three button suit with nicely gelled hair.


“What is it?” she asked, surprised. “Something that will make you smile” he beamed and handed over a golden box beautifully wrapped with red lace. She opened it carefully and gasped, “Whoa! This rock is huge!”


“Do you like it?” he smiled. “Of course, but..” she suddenly stopped. “But what?” he asked “The ring looks expensive.” she said softly.


“Nothing is expensive for me and anything, just anything for a smile from you.” he boasted. She fell silent. She knew that was the truth. He was one of the youngest businessmen in the country who had struggled his way right to the top. But it was not the complete truth. These things hardly mattered to her. The jewellery, the luxury, the parties, nothing were important.


She looked in his eyes. “Yes, you are right, you can afford anything. But I don’t need a diamond ring to make me smile”. He looked shocked. “Don’t you like the ring? We will get it exchanged!” he added hurriedly. “No, you don’t get it.” she sighed. He repeated, “No! You don’t get it. I am just proving my love!” She said, “You don’t have to prove anything, you just have to love.” To which he retorted, “But I always thought women are happiest when they get gifts, especially diamonds!” He was confused as he couldn’t understand her thoughts.


“Yes she is, but she is happier when her man looks at her and says she is beautiful. She is happy when he holds her hand and says you are my life. When he listens to her inner thoughts, shares his dreams with her. That’s what a woman really wants. It’s not necessary to present an expensive gift to make her smile. The deed can be done even with a simple silver ring and expressing your love truly.” She was still staring into his eyes.


He got up suddenly, which made her anxious. “I am sorry. I didn’t mean to hurt you and I really liked the ring. I just blurted out what I have been feeling since we got married.” He kept moving away till he reached the door.


She finally asked worriedly, “Where are you going?”  He looked serious. Turning back he calmly replied, “To get you the simple silver ring you mentioned and then I’ll do exactly what you asked me to do.”


Both of them burst out laughing.

Perspective

It technically means a particular attitude towards or way of regarding something; a point of view’.                              

Let me give an example in simple words. If A has a particular opinion about an issue, B has a totally different opinion. Now if you have to judge who is right and who is wrong how will you judge? Your decision will be based on your experiences, background, teachings, surroundings, beliefs, values and the culture around you.

For many of us it is difficult to understand the view point of another person. This is because our logic and the above mentioned factors don’t allow our brain to understand it. But if we have to accept a person, it should be with his individual perspective.

To explain this better, I would like to share a story told by Mr. Devdutta Pattanaik, a well known mythologist.   

This is when Alexander the great had already set his mighty foot in India. One day he met a Monk who was meditating. Alexander wondered and asked what he was doing.

The monk slowly opened his eyes, smiled and said “I m experiencing nothingness”. Now he looked carefully at Alexander and asked “What are you doing”? To this the king replied, “I m conquering the whole world”. After this, both just looked at each other and smiled.

Now if we think about this story a little deeply, this may be called diverse viewpoints. What made Alexander decide what his aim in life was? He was taught about Homer’s Iliad and was told stories about the mighty warrior Achilles. He was also taught to be heroic, aim for impossible things, win them, not to be monotonous and mediocre.This is because as per Greek mythology, there is only one life and that life had to be spectacular.

                                

Now on the other hand, the Monk had heard stories of king Bharat. This king once climbed the  peak of Mount Meru, which is considered the highest and the centre of the earth in Hindu mythology. King Bharat was carrying a flag and wanted to mark the peak, so that everyone would know that he was the first to climb the mighty mountain. But when he reached the peak, he saw countless flags already waving there. His ego was crushed, his victory felt meaningless.The monk learnt from this that everything is temporary and nothing lasts forever.

                                 

He was living in a land where the concept of rebirth was deeply believed in, that life was not just lived once, but is actually a cycle and if you have to break the cycle, you need to enlighten yourself and surrender to the almighty.

So when Alexander heard the monk’s answer, he must have thought what a waste of a life and smiled. Similarly the monk must have thought whats the use of conquering, when nothing lasts forever.                                                                                                                         

SHARING A SMILE

I was nine and had changed my school.The previous school was in my hometown Mhaisal.I was basically shy and change of school had made me a bit more conscious.After some days, I succeeded in making some friends.

The class teacher was supposed to teach all subjects,in the primary section.So according to our receptive capacity and mood he would take subjects.Whenever he felt that we have become dull, he would encourage students to do somethings like singing,dancing, acting or even imitating.

It was rather a dull day,and it was the last class,school would be over in some time.No one was in the mood for studies.So he decided to have our entertainment hour.

He first called one of the girls, she was a very good singer and to top it she had the confidence of singing in front of the whole class.She happily agreed and sang some songs.

I was unaware that I was the next target.I totally froze when sir pointed his finger towards me.I was so stunned that my bench mate had to push me out of my seat.

Finally I gathered up some courage and went in front of the class.I absolutely did not have any idea about what would I do next.The teacher, again reminded me that I was there to entertain the class.

I stood there for a long time,thinking should I sing,should I act.I did not want my class mates to make fun of me.what should I do,by which I will not look stupid.I did not even look up at all those eyes,some of which who were smirking,some shocked,some sympathetic.

Finally,looking at my petrified state, he told me to go back.When I went home, I told everything to Maa(My mother). She asked me why I did not sing. I told her that I did not have a great voice and that I was scared that everyone would make fun of me.

I still remember her words.She said God has not given everything to everyone. so learn to appreciate what he has given you. If you think you cant sing, do what ever which makes you happy, share a joke, share a smile, make people laugh, anything.

Those words did not make any immediate impact on me,but after so many years I understood the meaning of those words. In your own small way try sharing happiness, make people smile around you, give a bit of hope everyday and it can make a huge difference in some one's life.

BURDEN.

I wanted to share this story with all of you.

In ancient India,the gurukul system of education was followed.Once two shishya's (disciples)finished their course of study in there guru's ashram (i.e gurukul which means the house of the the teacher,where the disciples were supposed to stay till they finished their studies).
Before taking leave,they asked blessings from their guru.The guru blessed them,but also reminded them of their vows (they had to observe bramhachaarya i.e bachelorhood.That meant they would never get married,not get close to any woman,or even think of her.After seeking the guru's blessings both the shishya's started their journey.After walking for a while they reached a stream .When they got ready to cross it,they saw a beautiful young girl trying to cross the stream.
One of the shishya's offered her help,and the girl agreed happily.The shishya picked her in his arms and crossed the stream,dropped her at the other end.She thanked him and left.
Looking at all this the other shishya got very upset and furious.He felt that the first shishya broke his vow.He kept on thinking over and over again about the incident.They finally reached their place,and started arranging their beds.
The shishya, till now had kept himself calm ,but couldn't control himself and he shot the question at the first shishya," How could you pick the girl up?How could you break the promise you gave our guru just some time ago?"
To this the first shishya replied,"I agree that by picking her i broke my promise,but my first duty at that time was to help the girl,and I could'nt do it without touching her.I dropped her as soon I crossed the stream.I know I have sinned.But you have sinned more than me my brother,as you have carried her burden till here."
The second shishya did not understand this.Instead of asking for an apology why was the shishya blaming him.The first shishya spoke again," As soon as I crossed the stream I dropped her and left her physically as well as mentally.And you my brother did not even touch her ,but yet kept on thinking about her and the incident again and again,by which you have carried her burden till here."