SET YOUR OWN YARDSTICKS.

"Quality is never an accident, it is always the result of intelligent effort."  John Ruskin

We’re on this planet on a short journey. Therefore, we’ve to make the most of what we have. Possibilities for personal development are endless if we are aware of who we are. Being conscious is vital to evolve and to cross the limits of mundane routine life. Furthermore, we should be careful about expending our energies on superficialities, which might consume all our energies leaving no time to involve in life to the fullest.

It is not easy to overcome chronic doubts, hurts, hatreds and perceived inadequacies. For this to happen we have to set our own standards and constantly try to transcend them for the better. We’ve to bid adieu to the egocentric cliché –‘I’m like this’, as an excuse for not coming up to expectations. This is a restrictive statement. Life progresses in expansion, being able to respond to the infinity of experiences. A conscious life is always evolving. A static life is like stagnant water, which gives stench after some time. A vibrant pulsating existence means observing life anew every day.

Setting your yardsticks also means not to lose sight of the core values- the voice of conscience in the course of facing life’s challenges.  This voice has to be ever ready to notice and embrace the joyful and the elevating.

In this context, traveling is like a handy learning app. It is a prolific book on understanding the diversity of humanity. It makes you humble and receptive.

The ideals on which we decide to live life by, stand for engaging in a battle with ourselves on a daily basis. It keeps us on our toes. Yet it is worth having.


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THE LETTER 'X' IS A PHENOMENON.

X is not simply another letter!

Though X is the 24^th letter of the English alphabet and the least used yet it is formidable in its persona. It is powerful, it is mysterious, and it is iconic and somewhat vain. Its symbolism has multiple profound references in history.

Here is a short sampling of X in some of its numerous avatars:

X growls its way in words with dominance. It makes its presence felt come what may.

X words enjoy the literary onomatopoetic effect. EXaggerated (hyperbolic) and eXcruciating are good examples of words where the jarring sound nearly hints at the meaning. Phonetically these demand tough articulation in tune with their semantics.

You can’t ignore the word ‘eXtraordinay’ for example. It is special, awesome much more than the ordinary.

Some X words possess slightly negative connotations. ‘Extreme’, ‘Excess’-something not desirable,  ‘Xenophobia’-fear of foreigners- something frowned upon. In clothing, line XL- extra-large and XS extra small signify the choice of the few.

X’s presence in some words invariably characterizes them with elements of mischief, intrigue, chauvinism or an authority or novelty e.g. Axe, tax, sex, maximum, Xerox, axis, nexus, Xanax (name of medicine).

Then there are original expressions having alluring properties, which make you sit up and think. You are enticed to explore their origins, meanings, and contexts. A few of them are:

Xmas- Its spiritual association with Christianity. X is an abbreviation of Christ, which has been accepted for centuries.

X rated- drawn towards sex or pornography.

Generation X- those born between 1969-1979 in America.

Malcolm X – a Muslim revolutionary.

X rays – A diagnostic tool.

X sports- short for extreme sports with the risky and daredevil component.

Swastika X or cross- signifies evil, used by Hitler in Nazi Germany.

X files- documents containing mysterious and secret information about state matters.

X a sign of multiplication in Mathematics and in Algebra signifying a variable.

X stands for the Roman numeral 10.

X has many more diverse, historical and exciting associations waiting to be explored.

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ONLY THE WEARER KNOWS WHERE THE SHOE PINCHES.

 

"It is the one who lives in the house who knows where the roof leaks."
African Proverb
                                                                                                               

Courtesy Google

W for wearer

Of course, who else does?

'ONLY THE WEARER KNOWS WHERE THE SHOE PINCHES' is an old saying that is the distillation of ancient wisdom. Its implications are relatable to the whole humankind and always teach us a lesson or two as social beings.

Our life is an amalgamation of binary oppositions. In fact, this dual nature of life imparts meaning to it. Otherwise, our life would not have been worth living. If there is, happiness there is suffering too. Most of the time nature maintains equilibrium between these two states. However, sometimes it is not so.

We can fairly make a guess about the episodes of joy in other people‘s lives. They are similar for everyone though the scale may be different. However, can we make the right guess about the miseries and agonized events in other people’s lives? No. Such incidents are painfully deep and personal. It is impossible to decipher the lurking doubts and embedded traumas, which others pass through.

There is a need to sensitize ourselves when we approach such individuals for sharing their grief. Mere preaching and thoughtless comments sans figuring out the extent of pain and suffering instead of soothing taut nerves will rather prick more. What is needed is your solid backing and reassurance in measured words.

The pain of desertion, divorce, recurring disputes in family matters, chronic disease, and death of a loved one, loss in business, filial ingratitude and scores of other tragic moments are too deep for words. One who experiences these suffers the scars inside; others can only offer lip service.

Since It is hard to interpret others’ sufferings one should be extra conscious not to hurt their sensibilities by casual remarks.

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VERBOSITY IRRITATES.

“Some people talk too much without saying a lot.”
― Mokokoma Mokhonoana


V for verbosity:

Dictionary says verbosity is the use of unnecessary words in conversation, speech, debates, etc. Another word ‘tautology’ is a literary device with the same meaning. Verbosity is also called clutter, which in any form is hardly appreciated.

On a lighter note, I can say verbosity is an art that specializes in confounding what really matters. Interestingly some individuals are adept at taking recourse to superficial long-winded interventions to scuttle the real issues being discussed and confuse the listeners.

Luckily the discerning listeners gauge just at the beginning the frivolousness of the arguments and refuse to suffer the blah blah. They lock up their cognition and go to sleep with open eyes signifying a subtle way of showing their disapproval of mere rhetoric. Who likes the ones who exhibit their grandiloquence in everyday situations?

In a small group sometimes, a particular person compulsively indulges in a type of wordy monologue to the discomfiture of all. He goes on babbling in so many words the same thing. He loves his own voice so much that nobody else gets a chance to participate in the discussion. Others try to ignore in the first instance. However, if the speaker doesn’t take a hint, they start looking at their watches, fiddle with their smartphones, or simply yawn. Even then, the garrulous fails to end his dull ramblings.

I think each one of us sometimes or the other by mistake or willingly must have watched political debates on TV channels. Such channels are a little too many in my country. Dear hubby calls them ‘unwholesome nonvegetarian stuff.’ Spokespersons of various political parties throw verbal venom at each other so much so that the viewer senses unhealthy vibes polluting the atmosphere around. In fact, their verbiage makes hardly any sense as it diverges from the specified topic and takes recourse to disgusting wordplay to score points.

For me, such shows are a BIG NO.

In fictional writings, some novelists give so much space to descriptive passages that the reader who is always curious to know ‘what happened next’ often skips those lengthy pages. The repetitive style truly bores.

In Shakespeare’s Hamlet one of the characters Polonius remarks,

“Brevity is the soul of wit,

And tedious the limbs and outward flourishes, I will be brief…..” endorses the logic of preferring conciseness to pompous style.

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LET’S TRY TO UNDERSTAND NATURE’S MESSAGING

 U for understanding....

I am once again sojourning amidst imposing Shiwalik hills in the Indian state of Himachal Pradesh. The hills here don statuesque pines, numerous types of shrubs and sundry vegetation.

This morning I happened to go up to our community lawn for the first time after arrival. A delightful sight was waiting for me in the form of various kinds of blooms in their prime. I stared at them unabashedly so fascinating was their glowing persona. They personified pure charm yet unlike us, there wasn’t any sign of snobbish pride nor they turned their backs upon me in disdain. In fact, they were welcoming me warmly with their adorable looks. Their smiles and sweet winks were for all who cared to look at them. In disbursing happiness around neither do they discriminate based on caste, color, creed or race nor are they xenophobic about strangers? Rather they spread their wares for everybody to relish.

Their cheerful persona inspires and is meant to be shared by legions. While in this ruminating mood, sitting under the canopy of an iron structure, my gaze fell on the gently swinging tiny lower branches of a pine tree. The rest of the tree was still in its serene exuberance born out of a peaceful and harmonious appeal. The vibes emanating from the scene were in perfect sync with its surroundings. The message of peaceful coexistence of the forces of nature was loud and clear. It impacted me too.

Suddenly I became conscious of the melodic twitter of birds hopping on the branches. The atmosphere enamored the buzzing bees and fluttering butterflies as they appeared from nowhere. The cuckoo appeared shortly and I saw it flying down on the grass. A little later, the high-pitched notes of the cuckoo filtered through throngs of trees and reached me.

The exhausting restarting of the household after a long gap of seven months was compensated profusely by the natural phenomenon. Its utilitarian aspect is indescribable. 

Yet a grave churn of thoughts reminded me of the warring regions, where the fire of hatred destroys man and material. Does it mean that humanity in man is slowly dying and perceived victimhood and fascist tendencies of usurping others' territorial spaces are in the ascendency?

It is sad to realize that man has been a part of nature for millenniums, but he hasn't learnt  any lessons.

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TURNING THE PAGES of THE GREEN BOOK

My green book is actually a raconteur of an ecological narrative. I name it ‘a green book of nature's gems.’ 

T is for trees/turning the pages.....

This green open book is none other than the all-encompassing natural phenomenon in all its magnificent manifestations. Its pages perennially juxtapose change and consistency. It follows a perfectly orchestrated paradigm set by the cosmic power. I adore this prized book, which not only stands by me in the darkest moments of life but also unequivocally inspires me, excites me and gladdens my heart. 

To the initiated, this book has infinite dimensions upon which to play the game of life. It is there for us by the grace of some mysterious power. None can compete with its munificence. It neither divides nor discriminates. It unites. It embodies peace and goodwill. It showers its blessings upon all freely. It feeds, shelters, and elevates. It is a resurgent force. It carries potent restorative properties. 

How it has patterned effusively with its green cover: our plateaus, valleys, glens, mountains, and hilltops. It creates humanity’s food bowl through wheat stalks, corncobs, and numerous grain-bearing plants. It makes our life beautiful by its statuesque trees greening our avenues, river banks, our parks, and backyards. Its presence is palpable in every leaf, bud, and bloom.

It beckons us in spring to the magical charm of new life. In summer, it fructifies and ripens our fruit and berries. The color and splendor of autumn is a feast for the eyes. Winter is there for reunions and renewals. Can one ask for more?

At the beginning of this creation of ours, this book supported and fed not only the human animal but also legions of live organism nestling in its magnanimous fold. Our very existence owes its survival to the forces of nature. Our relatedness to nature is inherent in our very being. Modern man seems to have separated himself from the overwhelming aspect of nature through the arrogance of his sharp intellect. However, man can neither sever his relatedness to nature nor ignore its significance in our lives. To do so would be at his own peril. 
  
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THANK YOU NATURE FOR THE CHANGING SEASONS.

"To be interested in the changing seasons is a happier state of mind than to be hopelessly in love with spring."    -                 George Santayana

Now we are nearing the end of spring. Most of the flowerbeds show dry seed pods ready for storing if you are into sowing seeds for future saplings.

Fortunately, gulmohars in our area are resplendent with orange colored delicate bunches of flamboyant blooms. They provide a visual feast that is noticeable even from a distance. Their flower-laden branches, filter through the spread of other trees to mesmerize the initiated. Wherever you sight a gulmohar these days, you’ll find it in full bloom.

Frankly speaking, nature has ensured that there is not a dull moment in our lives. The change of seasons, though we take it for granted is the greatest benedictions of all. When we are amidst one we look forward to the next. The cycle goes on and on earnestly and regularly. The yearly clock of nature never wavers or pulls a long face even in trying conditions. It brings back wholesome equilibrium soon enough. Just imagine our misery if we had wintry conditions the year round. We’d be crazy with boredom. The world will be peopled with intolerance, conflicts and what not. The idea itself is scary.

I salute the utilitarian forces of nature for gifting us happiness, joy and lasting bliss. If there is something amiss, the fault lies with us.

....

Here are some images of blooming gulmohars in our area captured during the week!

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