May this year take you closer to the people whom you love,
May this year bring you closer to the people who care for you,
May this year give you lot of time to be together,
May this year shower you with success,
May this year bring smile to your face,
May this year make you the reason for others to be happy,
Say Cheers,
And welcome the new year!!
HAPPY NEW YEAR
The month of "Margazhi" remains special to most of Madrasis (or Chennaites) and I am no different. Though I am in Bangalore for the last 6 months, I have not missed Chennai life much. May be I travelled often to Chennai. Or may be balancing work and home has not given me time to think on these lines. But last few days everyday as I open the door, I miss Chennai.
I miss the rangoli, the smell of coffee, the suprabatham by M.S amma (M.S. Subbulakshmi) followed by Thiruppavai, Thiruvempavai and Thiruppalliyezhuchchi, the retired Mamas accompanied by Mamis in traditional dhotis and 9 yards saree, the Pongal from temples, in short the divinity in Chennai air. In Bangalore I can listen to only M.S. amma's songs.
There are very few people who make you feel elevated looking at them as if they are taking you to a calmer world. M.S. is one of them. M.S. to me is a combination of Goddess Saraswati and Goddess Lakshmi. Every time I see a picture of her, I feel there is a divine power in her and the divine power flows in her voice. No wonder that people thought her as "new Meera", after seeing the film Meera.
The days when I wake up at 5 AM and listen to the suprabatham, my mind is at peace. I get energized and I feel the presence of God more than any other time. The feeling gives me the needed motivation to face the day and be successful. Like most of the people in Chennai, I also love listening to "kurai ondrum illai" (Translation: "No regrets have I") in the magical voice of M.S. Irrespective of whatever problems I face, listening to the song gives you a sensation that He will take care of all your problems and you are set free.
In her own words - "if one sings with sincerity and devotion, such music has the capacity to move the audience to divine experience, irrespective of their religious beliefs, their language and the countries to which they may belong". Well, she definitely knows what she is speaking about.
When I started this blog, I wanted to record my thoughts, my ideas and creations. I never wanted to log any of the forwards I receive or others opinion. But I am making an exception today. The below story was received as an email forward and touched my heart. I want to share this with all those whom I knew.
Approximately 10 years ago, on a freezing July night, the cold, hard, truth hit me like a freight train.
NO ONE WAS COMING TO MY RESCUE.
On our bedroom floor, my wife was giving birth to our son, he'd come so quickly that we had just called the hospital to tell them we were on our way. But we never made it out of the house.
The complication was he was breech, and when he had come out to his shoulders, the contractions stopped and he stopped coming. My wife and I stayed calm, but for all my trying I just could not get his head out.
While this was happening my sister had called an ambulance, but we were stuck in this position for about 15 minutes before they arrived and were able to fully deliver him.
What I didn't realise was that the umbilical cord was obstructed and our baby was suffering asphyxiation. When he was finally born our boy was blue, and his heart rate was 40 beats per minute when it should have been 140 beats per minute.
As the paramedics worked on our son, pumping oxygen into his lungs, with a hand pump, I went outside to talk to God.
I'd been studying faith at a local church for a while, and had achieved some small successes. One of the scriptures that has always impressed on me the most was Mark 11:24 "Whosoever shall say unto this mountain, be though removed and be though cast into the sea, and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he says shall come to pass. He shall have whatsoever he says."
This scripture told me I had to take responsibility in the situation, and not wait for something to happen, but make something happen.
I felt strength flow through me as I reminded God what this scripture said. I told God that I was not going to ask for anything but that I was going to take control of the situation.
I had a strong belief that parents are supposed to protect their children, not just naturally but spiritually as well.
I also could not accept the idea that a child would be born just to die ten minutes later.
After my conversation with God I felt fearless and determined. When I went back into the house the main paramedic pulled me aside and asked me if he could have a word with me. With a grim look on his face and a professional tone in his voice he told me, "I don't think the little blokes gonna make it."
This was a defining moment, I refused to become afraid and accept his opinion!
Looking directly into his eyes I replied "No he is going to be fine." I know I must have had a look that said I meant business, because the paramedic backed off immediately with a quick reply "Yer Okay".
It's amazing how quickly people will change their mind and come into agreement with you when you are clear and absolute about something.
Upon entering the hospital I repeated with conviction "No he's going to make it, He's gonna be just fine," to any one that spoke to me.
As I stood back and watched Doctors and Nurses buzzing around my son in a hive of activity, things became surreal.
A smiling woman in a white coat approached, "You know when they called in, I thought they'd be bringing in a dead baby, but it's a miracle, they've done a great job, he's looking good."
Of course our baby did survive.
But the next day he was placed in intensive care. At a meeting with the head of intensive care, the Doctor explained to us that our baby was "fitting" and this was most likely because he would have suffered brain damage and organ damage due to the lack of oxygen he received during birth. At this point, once again I reassured the Doctor, "No, don't worry, he's going to be just fine." Because of what we had just been through, I thought there's no way I'm going to start backing off now.
About this time we were interviewed by the hospital psychologist, to see how we were handling the fact our baby would be severely handicapped. After the meeting my wife sneaked a peek at the psychologist's clipboard and notes. Among other things, my wife noticed the statement "This couple is not prepared for failure."
It was not written as a positive statement, but I found it incredibly empowering.
The ward is divided into ten sections. Section one for the sickest babies and our son was in this section. Some babies are in section one for months and some never get well. However, within two days our son was in section three and in three days he was in section nine. Within another three days we were taking him home in absolutely perfect condition.
Since that time I have pushed myself to learn as much as possible about this incredible power that saved my son's life.
What I have learnt I have applied to many different areas of my life, I have used this power to transform my near bankrupt, failing business into a thriving prosperous company that has allowed me an income that has totally changed my lifestyle.
I have seen this power make cancer and arthritis completely disappear from people's bodies.
I have seen it transform children with learning difficulties and sleeping problems into peaceful intelligent, happy kids.
I have seen it do many incredible, wonderful things in relationships, and every area of life. I believe this power controls the world, and I believe it exists for the benefit of mankind.
I truly believe it's the answer to every obstacle we face.
"And you shall know the truth and the truth shall set you free." John8:32
Shayne Hammond
After reading the title, what do you think the post is about?
Nah… !! The title is just to tell people that I understand the ill effects of foot-boarding in bus. But I find it exciting… :)
I had to travel to my office by bus yesterday. The bus was crowded and since I had to get down at the next stop, I did not want to move into the bus. So, I got a wonderful chance to foot-board the bus. I LOVED IT. As the bus climbed the newly constructed bridge, I was as excited as a small kid in a candy shop. The rush of air in face as the bus was climbing on the bridge was exhilarating. (Of course, there were a few guys in the foot board testing my body parts. I think travelling in bus for long had just made me thick-skinned. :( So, I safely ignored them.)
A few years back, I was travelling in 47 from IIT Madras to Villivakkam at 9:00 PM. The bus had some repair and broke down near Annanagar roundtana. It was already 9:45 PM and I wanted to get back home as early as possible. I saw another 47 bus which was waiting at the signal. I decided to catch the bus. When I was about to catch the bus, the signal turned green and the bus started moving. I was in no mood to wait for another bus and got into a running bus… :) The conductor looked at me and reprimanded me in some native Tamil words. But I felt great. I had this look of achieving something which eluded me for years.
After that, there have been so many days when I have travelled in steps. Unfortunately, girls do not get a lot of opportunities. :)
Before you give me a lecture on how wrong it is, how it will take my life, how a girl is not supposed to do all these (I don't know why people say this), let me tell you I don't intend to do it every day. But I would not miss it if I get a chance once in a few months. And I tell you, travelling in foot board is much better than standing in the bus among a few ******* who think you as a public property.