"Have Patience" said Dad

I rang up my Dad first thing in the morning today. As a matter of fact, I often speak to my 82 yr old father whenever I get time. But today it was different. "How are you all? "He asked in his usual positive tone.

"Life is tough, Dad"I said. After a second's silence, he quipped,"Have patience".

I only had to listen to the words to feel a sudden calmness descending on me. Perhaps, because the words came from a man who had walked on the rough and thorny paths far more than I had. Not just that. Here was a man,who because of age, was fighting amnesia and yet had comforting words for me.

Suddenly things didn't look stranded anymore. It dawned on me, that my life was not all together a passenger train. There were places where I was moving fast. But I was not looking there at all. And so with a positive note, I went to my office. Rightly so, I had some encouraging news there. Come evening and my Director's teenaged daughter told me how she had scored high marks in English because my regular coaching.

Naturally, I am in my jolly mood again. I do intend to thank Dad at the earliest. I remember he had on several occasions told me in childhood,"Count your blessings". It's sad that, I time and again, forget the advice he gave me.

Dig all 17ft.-My New Year Resolution

First and foremost, I wish all my readers a Very Happy, Prosperous and a Peaceful New Year.May all your dreams come true.

The year 2008 ended with an unpleasant note. The massacre of 26/11, and then most recently the death of Swapnika, the acid victim. My silent tribute to all the dead. May their souls rest in peace.

This all has propelled me to take up a cause and work arduously in my own way. For instance, fill the world with a good thought, like some nice fragrance? Success does not come easily I realise. But then I can always try.

That reminds me of a story my daughter told me recently when she came back home after her P.G. exam. It seems, her professor and guide Dr. Narkeesh gave the budding physiotherapists a piece of advice the day they all submitted their thesis. In fact, he had a special word for each one that day. Something, very important I must say. To my daughter he said, " You work hard 99% and then you give up. And unfortunately, the results lie in that last 1%. " To explain better, he told her of a story. It goes thus-

There was once a poor man. He had a dream, in which God himself appeared. The Almighty told him to go to a certain place in the forest and dig. Next day the man went to the same spot and started digging. When the travellers asked him questions, he told them that he had been instructed so. Many felt he was foolish. They told him so and went their way. The man dug on. He happened to strike water at a certain depth. He continued. By now he had almost dug 16 feet.He was now tired and without any hope for he really found nothing. Besides, the jibes of those passing by had begun to have effect on him.He felt himself a big fool. In desperation, the man threw away his pick-axe and walked back home in utter misery. Just then, a passer-by came along. He saw water as well as the pick-axe. The man felt that if he dug more he would probably get more water. And so he began digging further.

Just as he had reached 17 feet, he heard a sound of metal. He peeped inside out of curiosity. And there lay a pot of gold coins. The man was jubilant. He hurriedly collected the coins and went home.

And so the second man gained where the earlier one gave up.

As my daughter narrated this story, I was reminded of my own mistakes. Hadn't I often given up at the most crucial juncture? Had I been more optimistic, I am sure I would have reached somewhere today. There must be many like me who have called 'quits' after a small failure or a set-back. In fact, there are many who have taken to alcohol or worse still committed suicide.

I am glad, My daughter has taken the advice in the right spirit. I plan to improve too. Even if it is a bit too late. Who knows like Abraham Lincoln I may make some difference in this world? And so I am going to follow the advice of Dr. Narkeesh even if he is much younger than me.

Thank you Dr. Narkeesh. Also, a big thanks to all my teachers who taught me.

Guys! There is Hope.

Guys! There is Hope.


Like Abhhishek Bachchan in 'Bunty Aur Bubbly', I too believe that there are two kinds of people in this world. One-those who see hope everywhere. And Two- those who see red every time something happens.

Is it the fault of our education system or our upbringing? I leave it for the social scientists to decide.

But guys I feel miserable when a twenty something boys and girls develop nervous pangs just before a 20 marks test! And this at the post-graduate level, when they have 2 school board exams and at least 3 university exams behind them. I mean, at least, we should not get worked up over small thing such as these!

Yes, life sometimes poses a lot of hurdles and challenges. But then there is always a possibility of winning and attaining a new level of success. I thing working steadfast towards one's goal is the only solution. At such times I remember one of my friend's mother-in -law. In my 20 years of acquaintance I have never once seen her breaking down. Tall and upright, I have seen her with embroidery work even in her 50s, when most women at this age grapple with poor eyesight. Even now when she is in her seventies, she looks as bright as ever. That is - bright and optimistic . Is it the work of a good diet, genes or the gift of a rational mind? I leave it again for social scientists to decipher. But, she is my role model. If one has to speak of difficult moments and tragedies, she has faced them enough. Recently I chanced to meet her after many years. She was as usual happy and composed . And rightly so, somewhere she had proved useful in guiding her son and daughter-in- law in finding a nice match for their daughter. Again a lesson to be learnt! A composed mind works wonders.

I think I have always wanted to be like her. No wonder, when I felt miserable last week, I traced a nice design on a plain cloth that lay in the cupboard. I plan to start working on the embroidery at the earliest possible.

Thank you, auntie for showing the path of hope, and success. In all probability that is also a key to good physical and mental health.