Bliss of Happening!!

Moments become memories! And some become our core memories!!

It was at that point in time that memory became a core memory for me. I am not sure, but I have received a few reviews over my school days that my voice is good and I should try singing.

Till then, I had never been fond of songs. So, It all started when I completed my 11th standard. Slowly I was falling in love with music. Till that point, I was the one who always skips songs and ads any day. This slow, sweet transition occurred graciously without me noticing. And my singing journey started then.. (bathroom singing 😜)

Only my family knows how good I sing at showers (shout enough!)

More about music and my taste, I was falling in love with classics and old songs. I’m a huge fan of sweet, calm and lovely melodies! And my playlists are topped with songs from 90s and early 2000s. FYI - I’m not an old champ yet 🤪

Songs I listen to are majorly in Tamil (till now) as that is my mother tongue, and I understand the lyrics better. But every new thing/change needs a start, right? And that new change came through my roommate during my hostel days at college. I had a wonderful roommate who is a crazy English grammar nazi who always loves to point out my grammar mistakes at any forum loud! And this guy likes to listen to English songs mostly (exactly opposite to me). After few months of reluctance we gave up and we came to a pact. One English song for every 2 Tamil songs, as I had majority of 3 votes compared to 2 in the room (yes we were 6 people at one room, while 1 fellow is a lost case with earphones). Oh, I got carried away! Cutting short, the credits for me listening to different language songs goes to this friend.

So, back to this memory, my first core memory for singing happened when I was at my send-off party from the Godrej company. That is the first time I sang before people and I had almost 26 there who witnessed my singing. I’m not sure how I sang, but a few people told me it was good, and that became my first unofficial stage performance. I thought that is the first and last one and very happy that no one commented that it was the worst one they ever had listened to. 

I thought this was the first and last opportunity where I sang and it became my core memory for singing for me. I was sure I will not be singing anymore and if I sing, that will be to my wife on my wedding reception! 🤓🤩 

But life gives you multiple opportunities, and that is true! I took a beautiful opportunity (which I was aspiring) at IIM Bangalore and joined for my MBA. And first year first term there was an event, Pehel, where first years come together to celebrate us and our diversity. This year we did a signature performance “Acapella” and I signed up to sing there! See, life gave me an opportunity… 

Firstly I was very hesitant to do this and worried I might bring down my team. But I got a good team who compassionately told me you don’t sing good but you can make it better. And that became a motivation to take this up! Now, the second time was massive - 250+ people in an auditorium!! 

This is one beautiful core memory I will cherish throughout my entire life! And this gave life to my aspirations of singing and to my guitar dying in my room corner...

On Search of Happiness

Almost every one of us are idiots, who search for happiness (sorry, but its true). You see, on our entire life, the only goal everyone wants is "To be Happy". But everyone fails to be happy in many situations or maybe even at their whole life. Have you ever thought and analyzed this happiness and depression pattern?

Happiness is completely based on your Thoughts. The first enemy to destroy your happiness is your "Thoughts on requirements".Yes! There is a difference between need and requirement. Many people around the world still strive to fulfill their needs while many long to fulfill their requirements. Deep down you just need to realize and understand that your requirements are not needs which have to be fulfilled. It's just a thing which may elevate you up for extra comfort.

Very few of us understand those things. There are various things contribute to your sadness even though when you are happy. Best one of them is Social media's. Do you know for what it is been created? Just to be in touch with people, to make new friends & to share information, career interests, ideas, and other forms of expression on virtual communities. But now this has become the place for obsession and addiction. Being truthful, you are very happy and you live a happy life. But longing for things and your greed intrude you easily and make you think that you don't have anything to be happy. And these thoughts not only make you sad but question your existence.

Always remember and say it to yourself - "I am happy". You are blessed with food and shelter. You have beautiful friends to surround you and take care for you. You being a blessed person, you are very happy and you can bring down the happiness to others. Let's cherish Happiness around you by carrying a smile!!

Cheers!!

P.S: You can also bring smiles to many children by helping them to learn by joining an NGO and volunteer for teaching the underprivileged kids. You can also help out the needed kids by becoming their scribes. (Mail me for more info & contact)

The Guardian of Dogs

Few situations and happenings are always rememberable and it impacts us in a positive way. Those experiences change a person partially/completely, the way he views life. Like "A Hungry Stomach and Empty Pocket" some happenings make you learn the life. That day, there happened an incident which impacted my life.

It was, as usual, a pleasant morning. But something was different. I just woke up wondering where I am. Oh, I was in my cousin's room in Chennai. This was my second time visiting Chennai, after my Anna University counsellings. This time I came here to attend a workshop. My cousin told me - it's 6.40 now.

Err., It's getting late. Few mins let me get ready. I took a quick shower and found my way out dressed in a short span of time, around 20 mins. The session starts around 9.30 a.m. But my cousin has a different plan and he mentioned a travel for about an hour. We took breakfast on the way at a hotel. He dropped me in Tharamani in front of the spot where I wanted to go. I viewed my watch, long hand striking at 8 while small hand moves past 8. I was too early there!!

I thought of waiting for my juniors to join me instead moving in. So I found a small corner on the side road to rest and started surfing the internet. As it was Sunday, I just saw two or three vehicles passed by. After few minutes, I saw an auto stopped near me around 10 meters gap.  The auto driver parked his vehicle nearby and got busy with his phone.

A lady dropped out from the auto. She had tangled hair and a normal attire. I can't go through her face clearly. But I assume she is one of the most beautiful souls in the world. She carried two bowl-like plates and a big carry bag. She moved near an empty space at the road corner and unpacked the items in the carry bag.

She kept the plates on the ground and started pouring milk on both. The street dogs around came near her and started having their breakfast. There were around 7 to 8 dogs and she fed all. As soon as they gathered, she unpacked a few packs of rusks from that carry bag and started distributing them to. She also poured some water after the milk vanished from the plates. Among those people, who see street dogs with fear and as enemies, she was very different. She caressed them and fed them.

From their condition, I can say, those dogs won't get food properly, maybe a one-time meal per day. But that day, they were blessed to have a great breakfast because of her. I saw the happiness and love she showed towards those dogs.

Then she carried on her journey from the same auto. That big carry bag had some more stuff inside. I am sure she was going to another place where these kinds of dogs are left uncared.

Life has many things to teach. The people around you teach you everything. Your environment makes you grow what you are. My mother has said once, "don't show grace to unknown people these days. they may cheat you". But I don't think so!!

She, her kindness towards animals made that day. Yes, she is the Guardian of Dogs. An unforgettable incident in my life, that made me think. May God bless her :)

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(I wanted to go and talk to her that day, but I don't want to interrupt her. So I took a photo of her for my memory. Whenever I see, few thoughts plunge into my head about humanism and charity. Here is that pic for you. If you know her/came to meet her do say thanks in regards to me)