When I attended a workshop on
storytelling a couple of months back in Bangalore, little did I expect it to be a spiritual journey where all roads led inward?
How do I tell a story ? Do I feel the story? Am I true to the story? And as I
asked myself these questions, there was this little voice which kept asking me,
“why is it that you think so much?”
At first, I dismissed it as a frivolous thought - but as hours ticked by, the voice became more resilient. I realised that I have spent
too much of my time thinking what others might think about me, my actions, my
emotions, my thoughts and so on . It was never “ME” It was always “THEM”.
First and foremost,
I recognized the need to break certain myths to accept myself the way I am and
in doing so, perhaps there could be some ‘Mad’ realisations of the Self? Yes I am an emotional fool and get teary eyed
at every happy or sad occurrence, but that’s me and that is how I am. Yes there
will be aches and pains of different varieties every day, but I have the option
of looking at the brighter side of being alive,
and being able to appreciate everything good in my life. Of course, there will be differences of opinion with family and
colleagues and friends and it is okay to be in that space. No emotions I try
and tell myself, are eternal. And love will prevail at the end of it all,
engulfing me in sheer joy and happiness!
It’s true that no
one recipe fits everyone! If I think yoga makes me calm and work-outs make my
heart race, it is so. But it might not be the same for everyone else! Like that
morning when my Yoga teacher remarked “listen to your body”, I knew she was
asking me to focus and focus on me rather than
looking around and trying to see who was doing better than me!
In this day and age
where my attention span seems to be so limited, it is like there are multiple
windows open on my laptop as well as in my head. I am learning to forgive
myself for the overwhelming lethargy at times and applaud the hyperactive me at
other times. I so agree with SRK’s quote
“Realised the best cure for life is happiness, laughter & a liberal amount
of tears. The rest is inconsequential “
That few minutes of
the “power nap” just after lunch is the best-est nap ever. Or Sneaking in that
delicious mouth-watering chaat at Ballard Estate, Mumbai, near Customs House;
eating it with that piece of papadi instead of the spoon, staring at him with
disbelief when he says it’s Rs.25 for Sev Puri and Rs. 20 for Bhel puri? The
Bhel just got tastier J
The sudden trips to
the local tea kadai, having that special masala chai with butter biscuit cannot
compare to any expensive hotel ka chai. Chancey illa! The big tub of popcorn
with lots of masala and coke as you enter the world of fantasy showcasing your
favourite hero, that feeling is priceless!
How often do we do
this to ourselves? Just pure indulgence without feeling the guilt pangs which
seem to accompany us wherever we go, whatever we do. It’s these stolen moments
that make life so much more interesting and happening.
And what I thought
started as a spiritual journey of looking within actually turned out to be
simply savouring every moment in life and in the process celebrating me!
