Redefining Horizons

Where do they all go?           It was the question that intrigued me as I stood watching the casket of my grandma being lowered into the grave. I, as a child having lost my life’s only anchor, was crying my heart out. But as soon as this question gripped my brain I stopped crying. Surely, it is not possible for someone to come out of nowhere and go into nowhere. Surely there has to be a destination. Quest to solve this riddle, I learn has made saints out of men.  As I grew up, the question lost its sheen as I busied myself growing up. It was not forgotten. I didn’t know that it was lurking somewhere within me till it surfaced with its full intensity as I stood at the crematorium on a Sunday witnessing another customary 'send-off'. Where do they all go from here?           As I stood watching the near and dear ones of the departed, somber in sorrow, I also noticed few who m...

   O ne often hears the saying, " Justice delayed is justice denied " . It is often quoted in the corridors of law depending upon who wants to use it, where and when. Irrespective of who quotes it, the underdog stands to suffer the consequences. There were times when I wondered, how delay impacts the affected and afflicted but never actually gave much importance to it.. Not till now. Not till it hit me personally.      I shudder at the very thought of going to a police station or court. Like all law abiding citizens, I have tried my best to be on the right side of law. Such was life till now, I didn't have to get into a civil court room ever.  I have been to departmental courts where mostly I was presiding and so ensured speedy objective disposal with scant regard to positions, personality or influences. Consequently, I was entrusted either with complicated cases that guaranteed severe personal adverse implications either from the powerful or from th...

The intricacies of budgeting.. Those who have don't spend it.. Those who want it don't get it.. As i try balance cheese and chalk.. Lord, isn't this real life?? Why don't we know what to ask for!! Why don't we know what to do with what we have.. Why waste a life chasing name and fame That at best can be reached grabbed and stacked? How kind of Him.. he doesn't give all that we ask for How relevant the prayer.. Lord give me this day my daily bread.. so meaningful so beautiful.. As i look back at these 28 years of matrimonial bliss.. Of holding hands and walking the worlds weird ways.. Through thick and thin.. difficult days Making us grow more fond of each other Tough times sticking us closer together Each one holding the other dearer We built our life brick by brick, Against odds seemingly insurmountable in this life's perilous journey Her perseverance and patience come forth in shine i am awash in her love and care.. Free to...

Life’s Travelator Once again I was at the swanky airport, yet again on another official outing. The alarmist that I am, as usual I was at the airport well before two hours. With no luggage other than an over-nighter, check in was a very brief affair. I picked up a coffee and walked to the waiting area near the departure gate. This is one place I love. Stepping back from life waiting and watching people or reading, I am normally detached from my surroundings and take flights on the wings of my thoughts. I also watch people posturing and sending non verbal messages to those around. It is a world of make believe, both of making oneself believe what one wants to believe in and making others believe what one wants others to believe. It is a kaleidoscopic display of egos I get to witness. Normally I come out having learnt something or the other. This time was different. Few days ago, I had managed to spend some time with a friend of mine. She was in her late seventies and ...

Reading the Bible and understanding what it means to us in our daily lives, gives us an insight into how the Bible truly impacts our outlook to life. Most of us read the Bible as a daily ritual that we are likely to have grown up with.I was also brought up on a daily dose of compulsory Bible reading.  As a child, when at home from hostel, I always woke up to a dreaded “morning session” of prayers forced upon me by my father. Evening sessions that I had to go through were elongated and tormented versions of the morning experience, with sleep painfully weighing down my eyelids. Each session typically commenced with a reading, selected through the principle of “random opening” of the Holy book. A hymn selected, based on the prevailing mood, followed the reading. My father then led us in prayers and my siblings and I chorused. The entire process was painfully slow in its progress and intense in discomfort for me. My focus, while reading and singing, was on getting over with...

Dad, me, you just don’t try to understand Desperate my daughter, as the situation, I try to understand Against me in my way, why I find you, I don’t understand World’s ways at least now, you need to understand Those little frowns and smiles, I could understand Without words, your needs I could always understand Fleeting time I feel, I failed to understand My little girl, a charming lady, I didn’t understand Your little eyes, once I could always read and understand Angels and demons, your dreams, then I could understand Clinging to my chest, your sleep I could easily understand Your need to be cuddled, by looks I could then understand You were trying to walk, I could easily understand Why I had to hold you always, never fully I could understand You were just teething, from books I could understand Why night long your mom and I cried, I still don’t understand It was just a passing fever, from the doc, I could understand Why your mom ...

That is how I define mankind.  May be I can qualify it a bit. Insecurity Driven.  I am convinced that we are driven more, by our insecurity than by the secure existence we enjoy, both resultant of individual perceptions. Our perception driven insecurities propel us to do what we do and plan to do. More often than not, we dissect our yesterdays, fantasize our tomorrows and miss out our todays.   Each human being perceives life differently. Sitting in their safe cocoons unfettered by perceptions of insecurity, most see life with their own pair of perception spectacles. Otherwise, why do people think and behave differently? There has to be an answer somewhere!   Scriptures tell me that even Adam and Eve were propelled by insecurity imprisoned by their perception. Why else should anybody, sane and cocooned in the most pristine surroundings, amongst the august company of divinity, with nothing to worry about, do that silly thing of eati...