Slow Dance
My friend Guruprasad Bala had a very intriguing question yesterday on one of my posts – why is it that all these funny things happen only to me? Going thru my blogsite and glancing thru past posts, it appears that these funny things also seem to happen a lot while I am in India. Now that got me thinking.
Eventually, I realized a couple of things. First, when I travel to India – especially by myself, I seem to be in a very different state of mind. I feel a far less sense of stress and responsibility. Second, that leads me to observe things more and very differently. Elsewhere, my mind would be racing to worries of the future but here, my mind seems to be in an “idling” mode. Hence the eyes don’t gloss over a silly grill in front of AC but stops there and tries to observe. Or reads an obvious junk mail and instead of deleting it somewhat irritatedly, actually finds some humor in it. Or just sits by the highway with my brother and has tea and endlessly watches the traffic instead of the usual “Chol, deri hoye jaabey” (“Let’s go! We will get delayed”)
It would appear that I come much closer to “living in the now” while in India. I actually “slow down” And that releases a very different level of energy for me. That is often as strong a driver for me to come to India as it is to see my parents. (I agree with you – maybe, I can cut down on the blogging/Facebook part 🙂 ).
And then I came to the third realization. Truthfully speaking, if I wanted to, I had plenty to worry about while in India. In which case, maybe those stress and responsibility factors are simply ruses. If I try harder, I can get myself to slow down even in US. I have to figure out how. If not for anything else, the ticket prices to India are increasing by leaps and bounds 🙂 And I do not know if I can fly so much when I am 87 🙂
But to slow down is an incredibly exhilarating feeling. Does this happen to you?
I am reminded of a poem “Slow Dance” by David Weatherford that rings very true for me right now. Unfortunately, I am guilty of each and every question he asks.
Have you ever watched kids on a merry-go-round,
or listened to rain slapping the ground?
Ever followed a butterfly’s erratic flight,
or gazed at the sun fading into the night?
You better slow down, don’t dance so fast,
time is short, the music won’t last.
Do you run through each day on the fly,
when you ask “How are you?”, do you hear the reply?
When the day is done, do you lie in your bed,
with the next hundred chores running through your head?
You better slow down, don’t dance so fast,
time is short, the music won’t last.
Ever told your child, we’ll do it tomorrow,
and in your haste, not see his sorrow?
Ever lost touch, let a friendship die,
’cause you never had time to call and say hi?
You better slow down, don’t dance so fast,
time is short, the music won’t last.
When you run so fast to get somewhere,
you miss half the fun of getting there.
When you worry and hurry through your day,
it’s like an unopened gift thrown away.
Life isn’t a race, so take it slower,
hear the music before your song is over.
So, now I have a new goal in life – how to slow down regardless of where I am!!!
Khoob sundar apner lekhata,Poetry tao. ei je ekhon bose ONLINE Stock market er trading korchi,majhe majhe tired lage, tai ei post ta pore eto bhalo laglo.
Khoob sundar apner lekhata,Poetry tao. ei je ekhon bose ONLINE Stock market er trading korchi,majhe majhe tired lage, tai ei post ta pore eto bhalo laglo.
I can give you company, Rajib Roy. It has more to do with how we look at the world. I do get comments and phone calls saying I am funny and also that they would not expressed things the way I did. It is not as though funny things happen to me only. Life is not funny at all. But people like you and me view the world through a funny lens.
I can give you company, Rajib Roy. It has more to do with how we look at the world. I do get comments and phone calls saying I am funny and also that they would not expressed things the way I did. It is not as though funny things happen to me only. Life is not funny at all. But people like you and me view the world through a funny lens.
Rajib Roy I do get negative comments. Some say for all the qualifications I have, I am not taking life seriously.
Rajib Roy I do get negative comments. Some say for all the qualifications I have, I am not taking life seriously.
Rajib Roy Why this fetish about running for those from America ? There are is a two by three rule I have to identify a US Desi- running, wearing shorts and long socks, use of word “awesome” for things like ant hills.
Rajib Roy Why this fetish about running for those from America ? There are is a two by three rule I have to identify a US Desi- running, wearing shorts and long socks, use of word “awesome” for things like ant hills.
Baishali, thank you much! One of these days, I have to learn the art of making money in the stock market from you
Baishali, thank you much! One of these days, I have to learn the art of making money in the stock market from you
Subbu, I guess it is always in the eyes of the beholder?
Subbu, I guess it is always in the eyes of the beholder?
Subbu, I have one good reason why not to take life seriously. You are not going to get out of it alive, anyways 🙂
Subbu, I have one good reason why not to take life seriously. You are not going to get out of it alive, anyways 🙂
Subbu, I think we do not have as much physical activities and eat too much in America. So, we have to compensate by running 🙂
Subbu, I think we do not have as much physical activities and eat too much in America. So, we have to compensate by running 🙂
We have done things like playing cards with amma till she was wheeled in for operation.Doctors and nurses were smiling when they saw us. I can not forget a sikh patient in mid sixties at AIIMS OPD. He had throat cancer and had come there for stenciling the X mark for radiation therapy. A part of his beard had been shaved off very shabbily and it looked as though a rat had bitten his beard. He smiled and told all around that he had no use for shaving till then and the first attempt produced this funny look ! That is the attitude we need in life.
We have done things like playing cards with amma till she was wheeled in for operation.Doctors and nurses were smiling when they saw us. I can not forget a sikh patient in mid sixties at AIIMS OPD. He had throat cancer and had come there for stenciling the X mark for radiation therapy. A part of his beard had been shaved off very shabbily and it looked as though a rat had bitten his beard. He smiled and told all around that he had no use for shaving till then and the first attempt produced this funny look ! That is the attitude we need in life.
Rajib Roy Reason for running – create a problem and then solve it. Hmmm… Firm believers in Parkinson’s laws and his approach.
Rajib Roy Reason for running – create a problem and then solve it. Hmmm… Firm believers in Parkinson’s laws and his approach.
Well,then I’ll arrange online teaching class for you & Happyda.
I don’t think that’s a good idea but if u insist then I’ll arrange online teaching class for you & Happyda to lose all your money.
Well said Rajib. I think most of us forget to enjoy the NOW moment in the everyday running race 🙂
Well said Rajib. I think most of us forget to enjoy the NOW moment in the everyday running race 🙂
I visited last night with an old friend I hadn’t seen in ~10years, should have taken a picture and posted like you do, you’ve been an inspiration!
I visited last night with an old friend I hadn’t seen in ~10years, should have taken a picture and posted like you do, you’ve been an inspiration!
Enjoyed the introspection …..Ranjan is very much like you. It always seems like things happen to him. But it is because he is very observant and looks at life through a different set of lens …
Enjoyed the introspection …..Ranjan is very much like you. It always seems like things happen to him. But it is because he is very observant and looks at life through a different set of lens …
Pls think of compiling your blogs into a book – it’ll be a nice one.
Pls think of compiling your blogs into a book – it’ll be a nice one.
That poem till date is one of my most favorites… So true for pretty much all of us !
That poem till date is one of my most favorites… So true for pretty much all of us !
Most of you would have read it… Those who have not, would recommend ” Tuesdays with Morrie”
Most of you would have read it… Those who have not, would recommend ” Tuesdays with Morrie”
nice poem- here is a similar one Dust if you must, but wouldn’t it be better
To paint a picture or write a letter,
Bake a cake or plant a seed,
Ponder the difference between want and need?
Dust if you must, but there’s not much time,
With rivers to swim and mountains to climb,
Music to hear, and books to read,
Friends to cherish and life to lead.
Dust if you must, but the world’s out there,
With the sun in your eyes, the wind in your hair,
A flutter of snow, a shower of rain.
This day will not come round again.
Dust if you must, but bear in mind,
Old age will come and it’s not kind.
And when you go – and go you must –
You, yourself, will make more dust.
~ Rose Milligan
nice poem- here is a similar one Dust if you must, but wouldn’t it be better
To paint a picture or write a letter,
Bake a cake or plant a seed,
Ponder the difference between want and need?
Dust if you must, but there’s not much time,
With rivers to swim and mountains to climb,
Music to hear, and books to read,
Friends to cherish and life to lead.
Dust if you must, but the world’s out there,
With the sun in your eyes, the wind in your hair,
A flutter of snow, a shower of rain.
This day will not come round again.
Dust if you must, but bear in mind,
Old age will come and it’s not kind.
And when you go – and go you must –
You, yourself, will make more dust.
~ Rose Milligan
rajib, please don’t change……….as u know money can help u achieve what u dream of, but it is not everything in life…….. the experience n happiness u gain while meeting strangers will give u the strength to run when u will be 87….the option of learning the stock market tips from baishali is always open………cheers…………….
rajib, please don’t change……….as u know money can help u achieve what u dream of, but it is not everything in life…….. the experience n happiness u gain while meeting strangers will give u the strength to run when u will be 87….the option of learning the stock market tips from baishali is always open………cheers…………….
rajib, please don’t change……….as u know money can help u achieve what u dream of, but it is not everything in life…….. the experience n happiness u gain while meeting strangers will give u the strength to run when u will be 87….the option of learning the stock market tips from baishali is always open………cheers…………….
Well said
Well said
But you keep asking us where your products are! We have no time for such frivolity. 🙂
Seriously though, your observation is so right and the struggle we all deal with almost each and every day. But if we didn’t have to balance, I don’t think these slow down moments would be so cherished, memorable and powerful.
The point we all must keep reminding ourselves is to not abandon what REALLY matters in the midst of the pressures of life. And when the hard choices come to a head, choose wisely for what endures, not for material gratification.
But you keep asking us where your products are! We have no time for such frivolity. 🙂
Seriously though, your observation is so right and the struggle we all deal with almost each and every day. But if we didn’t have to balance, I don’t think these slow down moments would be so cherished, memorable and powerful.
The point we all must keep reminding ourselves is to not abandon what REALLY matters in the midst of the pressures of life. And when the hard choices come to a head, choose wisely for what endures, not for material gratification.
Wow… Inspiring! Thanks for blogging!
Wow… Inspiring! Thanks for blogging!
Lovely! Rajiv: you spoke for many of us!
Lovely! Rajiv: you spoke for many of us!
thanks rajib, i have slowed down my pace and i having a much gala time………
thanks rajib, i have slowed down my pace and i having a much gala time………