July 19: Thought for the Day

"The only people without problems and adversity are six feet under the ground. To live is to face problems, pain and suffering. These things are vehicles for growth, expansion and lifelong learning. They are part of the human experience." -- From 'Daily Inspiration', by Robin Sharma.

July 16: The Little Things in Life

Friday afternoon was a time to test my emotions!

Joel had barely recovered from his hand injury when he wanted to go back to playing football in school. I suggested he start on Monday and give the injured hand more time to heal but he insisted he was in great shape and rolled his wrist as proof.

In the afternoon, Mareena calls to inform that Joel has a nasty fall while playing football and that he had a deep cut on his forehead. Disobedience pays? How should I react? What do I tell Joel when I meet him in school?

Shame & embarrassment was clearly etched on Joel's face, the nurse in the dispensary had done some first aid. Apparently a senior had shoved him while playing football and Joel had a bad fall. After few agonizing moments in the hospital and 6 stitches to his forehead Joel & I were back home but not before eating a cone of ice-cream each.

Initially, I was deeply affected and was keen on taking the senior student to task for his behavior but as time went by the realization that these are normal for a growing child took over my emotions. Friends who met us said the same thing 'such things are normal', 'he is a growing boy, it is natural', and that helped a long way. Later Joel's class teacher called to check and that was a great gesture too.

July 15: Size Doesn't Matter

Whoever said it does?

The courteous behavior shown by the driver from Honda Service Center who came to pick my car, his diligence to explain minute details of the servicing, his proactive call to inform possible areas that need modification after driving my car, all adds up to confirm that 'size' doesn't matter.

You may wonder why I say so!

A mere driver of a service center, what difference can he ever make? Isn't he supposed to be poor, helpless, less educated, etc. etc? But when I see such a person, neatly dressed, well mannered, polite and empathetic to my needs, I am forced to wonder what changed in a corporate world? Highly educated people with a 'couldn't-care-less' attitude and miles away from basic decencies!

Now you are forced to think, right! Does size really matter?

July 14: Thought for the Day

"There is nothing wrong with making mistakes. Mistakes are part of life and essential for growth. But there is something very wrong with making the same mistakes over and over again, day in and day out. This shows a complete lack of self-awareness, the very quality that separates humans from animals. Learn from your life and let your past serve you." -- From 'Daily Inspiration', by Robin Sharma.

July 13: Enjoying the Bus Ride

Having given my car for servicing, returning home in the evening by bus wasn't really planned. However, when Honda Service Center called to confirm a next day delivery, traveling by bus was the obvious choice.

Couple of months earlier, I had started traveling by bus 3 days a week with an objective of 'Go Green', however my guitar classes and the responsibility of dropping Joel to school in the morning meant I couldn't continue the option of traveling by the local bus. Few weeks that I did manage to travel, it was worthwhile from many perspectives: a) reduced travel cost by one tenth, b) gave me additional 2 hrs (exactly an hr travel one way) to collect my thoughts for the day and catch up with a lot of emails using my BlackBerry, c) gave me an opportunity to look out of the window and enjoy nature and last but not the least d) meet the objective of 'Go Green' and contributing to society in a small way.

Bus travel is a forgotten option among the upper middle-class or rich so I definitely appear a misfit among the passengers who normally look me up head-to-toe. School children, daily wagers, college going students and the middle class working community are my co-passengers.

With my home & office well connected by buses, I definitely look forward to going back to using the public transport and contribute to the cause of 'Go Green'.

July 13: Thought for the Day

"Things are never as bad as they seem. The situations that cause us sorrow are the same ones that introduce us to the strength, power and wisdom that we truly are." -- from 'Daily Inspiration', by Robin Sharma.

July 12: Joel has a hairline fracture around his wrist

When he complained of a pain in his wrist on Sunday evening we didn't pay much attention and scolded Joel for not being careful while playing downstairs. Later in the night, the slight swelling around the left wrist was worrying and Monday evening visit to the doctor confirmed a hairline fracture around the wrist.

Doctor has recommended a crepe bandage and painkillers for the next couple of days before he decides on a cast. Joel is thrilled having a cast on his hand and we are worried about his unit test starting next week. How different people perceive same problem!

I was analyzing perceptions around the situation. I was very upset spending 3 hrs @ the hospital after a hard day's work and thinking of the challenges around his unit test starting next week. On reflection, I feel I reacted very badly. Which one is easier, a 11 yrs old trying to understand the emotional challenges of the parent OR the parent realizing the emotional needs of the child under the circumstance?

Undoubtedly, the later as the emotional impact on the child's memory leaves a deep impression for future.

Lesson 1, of parenting!

July 12: Thought for the Day

"Adversity tends to make us more philosophical. During times of challenge, we begin to ask ourselves the bigger questions of life, such as why does suffering happen, why do our best-laid plans not work out as we expect, and is life ruled by the silent hand of chance or the powerful fist of choice." - From 'Daily Inspiration', by Robin Sharma.

July 11: FIFA World Cup, History rewritten

What a game of football! The effort to keep awake and watch the game to the last kick was worth the time. While 'Paul' the Octopus called right again, 6th time in a row, many who wanted to believe 'Mani' the Parrot were definitely disappointed. People's choice on the winner must have been equally divided but the European Champions for 2010 proved that they meant business.

Spain's semi-final game with Germany, a very dominant team themselves, was like 'poetry in football'. With Netherlands, it was to be a rough one. However, the team with 'style', 'poise' and 'confidence' turned winner in the 116th minute of the game.

Three cheers SPAIN, what a game of football!

July 10: Thought for the Day

"It is a truth that in our darkest times we are willing to go the deepest. When life is good, we live superficially; we are not very reflective. But when the sea gets rough, we step out of ourselves and ponder why things have unfolded as they have. This leads to remarkable learning and growth. ANd life is all about growth and stepping into who we are meant to be." - From 'Daily Inspiration', by Robin Sharma