For the restless spirit!

I have moved....to a new nest...a new home.  I am ready for the new year. Only 5 more days to go. I am all set for a new beginning, once more.... The word "new" has almost a distinctive flavor, a smell, a feel  ....of newness ,if you know what I mean? And once the word "new" is attached to something, that taste or flavor or feel attaches itself to that "something" and makes it laden with immense possibilities.... It gives us yet another chance ...to get it right. To help me settle into my new home, I have painstakingly taken the time to "do it up", hoping to enjoy the new settings for a reasonable period of time. I look forward to many cups of coffee, sitting in my new balcony. I look forward to watching many a sun rise from my bedroom recliner over my morning cuppas. I look forward to the wafts of my aromatic candles that will exude warmth and welcome for many days. I look forward to holding on to the newness of the sheets...

Dec 19, 2013 7:46 pm As I take in the view for the last time .... I sigh a little.... Moving homes is not very easy. Moving away from what grows on you is always tough.... As has this evening view of the Marina!!! I will miss it. I sit amidst packed cartons tonight ... This place has been good for me for the last few years ... But maybe there's better in store... In my new home, in my new surroundings.  As a close friend reminded me recently, it's all about change and accepting it, right? When did that ever bother you ?? That is true...  However, bonded I am to the fond memories of the past, I am an ardent believer of change for progress and improvement .... I welcome the opportunities that change brings with it. And I believe if approached with enthusiasm and positivity, it can only work for our betterment.  So, while I struggle with the chaos of today and tomorrow.... I assure myself.... It's only a matter of time... Before the excitement of a new surroundings, the newn...

Dec 12, 2013  I watched a cinematic adaptation of Tagore's famous work, "Shesher Kobita" as part of the Dubai International Film Festival.  Unlike most Bongs, I have unfortunately not read the original piece and hence was oblivious of the story line....I did however know that it was extremely popular with the Bengali intellectuals and the eternal poets within most Bong souls!I also knew it was about "Love" ....apart from politics, Bengalis usually have most to talk about this topic!! However, the title always baffled me with its negative tone - "shesh" or "last" means an end, right? And "true" love was never meant to end, so how did this work? Watching the movie unfold, I got my answer ....and am now reading the novel too, for better understanding. The answer is very simple, actually....something a lot of us never understand, or struggle with....it is that "True love is boundless". Period. It does not have to ...

Suddenly, December seems to have sneaked in .....and soon we will have a new year ahead. This always triggers introspection.... a search within to see how did I start the year, what all did I achieve, what did I lose, how closer am I to my dreams or goals? So, it's that time of the year again......to look inwards....and to look forward... Coming from the HR (human resources, for those who still belong to the dinosaur ages!!!) fraternity and project managing most of the time, I think its important to set objectives at the beginning of each year .... not just resolutions that tend to break soon! Over the coming few weeks, I will do the following .....and I encourage you to do the same... Look back at the year gone past....take stock....make a list of what I will carry forward with me, what will I lay peacefully to rest Revisit my life's goals and see if there has been any movement towards them - am I closer? Have I gone off the track? Have I moved away? That is importa...

Dec 1, 2013  11 months of 2013 gone....only 31 more days before we end yet another year. The end is definitely in sight! As I look back, this year has had its fair share of ups and downs - for me , atleast. But we human beings usually focus more on the not-so-good rather than the better times, so my initial thoughts were - its been a bad one, let it end soon! But then I remembered other things that were actually good and changed the flow of my thoughts, forcefully.... Today, as we enter the last month of this year, I take a few moments to reflect on all that has happened throughout the year - some things broke my heart, some things made me feel truly blessed, some things I gathered with joy, some I let go with pleasure and some with pain... but it's all gone now and what I chose to do with all those memories is up to me. I chose to remember and focus on all those times when I have lived, laughed and loved.... I do not forget the rest, I just learn from them - to be stronge...

Its a very liberating feeling..... When you are able to love, with no strings attached. Its really not as easy as that may sound - you possibly know - and I have learnt recently.  Love, attachment, affection - all sublime feelings, but cause humans to expect ....nothing wrong with that too. Its natural. I expect those close to me to love me back, show me that I am important to them as they are to me, that I matter ......but I have also realized 2 things: You can't always expect - you shouldn't ...even the most prudent investment may not give you dividends and love should never be an investment in the first place.  You can't always measure what you will get in return - it may not match up to your expectations, but may be the most the other person is either capable or willing to give to you..... So, when you are able to bring yourself to love, unconditionally....with no strings attached.... you move to a higher plane. It's a very powerful feeling...you conti...

For me, that's most important these days....... to have peace of mind....it's no longer about winning, about who's right or wrong, about getting all the answers ....it's simply about being at peace with myself.  And I have realized now that being "at peace with yourself" is actually a decision, a personal choice.  Maybe it's to do with my advancing years....maybe it's to do with my running out of steam, little by little.....but it doesn't really bother me, I don't need to know. What I do know is that I am focussed more and more only on matters that lie within my sphere of control, I pick and chose my battles wisely these days and I try and keep my world simple .... Friends often wonder how I am still at ease though I have so much still going wrong in my life, so much that could improve, so much that is vague, uncertain. ....all of this should cause me stress, right?  But I have made a choice - that I will chose Peace. And that helps me...