The first blog that I ever had, back in 2005 or so was entitled 'Bits and Pieces of Me.' It was fun to put up tiny posts about whatever I was reading or thinking about. This post reminds me of that.
Miracles: We are taught so much in such a matter of fact manner that we don't even stop for a second and simply be in awe. Like 'Photosynthesis'. Plants absorb light to produce food. Ho hum. Ok. Next lesson. But then, if you're lucky at some point of time, say 36 years into life, you'll be sitting down one day and it will just strike you and knock you down. Light energy absorbed by plants, converted to chemical energy! By plants! Just light! Not heat being used to boil water, which causes steam, which runs a turbine, blah, blah. Just light taken in and synthesized. Wow.
Darkness: Past a point, a person isn't 'good' anymore, right? If I had superpowers, I wouldn't be a hero. I'd be a villain. I'd be punishing too many people; castrating rapists, leaving power-hungry leaders in the middle of deserts, feeding animal abusers slowly to beasts, ... basically, leaving suffering in my wake. I don't know if I'd have time to paint rainbows and fulfill wishes. I'm not even going to pretend to be good. But I would wear a cape, because I want to.
Linguistica: The Tamil word for wrist is 'Manikattu'- a combination of two words meaning watch and tie. 'Where you tie your watch.' Makes sense. Only, watches have only been around for two hundred years or so. So what was the original word for this bony body part? I asked people. I asked a 'celebrity' Tamil expert. He replied, 'Hahahahaha'. What's so funny?
Real funny: I tried to remember the last time I belly laughed. Like when you laugh so much, you can't breathe. It's different for different people. I usually fall to the floor, curl into the fetal position and leak tears from my eyes while my mouth is open in a seemingly soundless scream. People ask if they can help, or if I need to be euthanized.
So the last time that happened was in the car. My mom and sister were with me and we were showing this comedian around town. It was his first time in India and he was quite appreciative about the things that he was seeing as we drove around. At one point, he was amazed by the colors of our clothing. He was astute- he noticed it was mainly the women. "Look at them", he said as a group of laughing women in colorful saris walked past with flowers in their hair and glinting jewelry. "And look at the men!" he said in a sad tone.
Right at that moment, the car navigated a curve and at its apex, there stood a man. The Universe could not have chosen a worse representative. He was a middle aged, potbellied fellow who had apparently had a few drinks and spent the night on the road. His shirt was crumpled and stained, his waist cloth tied up like a short skirt was the same, his hair stuck out in three perpendicular directions and his gaze had just enough intelligence to let him pass for a human. In slow motion, we all had a good look at this specimen in complete silence. It took me about an hour to stop laughing.
Television: I really recommend the Spanish show 'Money Heist'. It's on Netflix. Two seasons so far with the next scheduled for 2019. But the story has been nicely finished at the end of season 2. I found it riveting. That's not a word I use often.
Counseling: Is there a career in making dog toys out of old, worn out clothing? I've been making them for the street dog pups in my house that are being adopted and it's really fun. Kids need to be given an 'obscure careers' brochure when they're of a certain age and 'Toy making' should be on it.
Life: I read this recently -"Your purpose in life is simply to demonstrate joy/love." For all the philosophy, psychology, spirituality and self-help that I've read, this statement has finally settled in me. I find it enough- I don't have to save the creatures of the world, I can just demonstrate to them that 'this is love, this is joy' and hope they live out their lives giving and receiving that. If they don't, then it is what it is. Life is learning to choose what feels better and the lesson isn't always kind. So finally, I've taken a step towards understanding what 'acceptance' is. Maybe I won't die a tortured soul after all.
And with that happy thought, I'm done for now.
