One month……

To all those who came to the blog for new posts, I apologize. Last one month I have realized and understood that "No man is an island."

What's new you ask? It's new to me. All this while I sincerely believed I can take care of everything in my life. In case of any challenges, speak to people; ask them what to do, but do it yourself has been my policy. All this changed last month.

I am self-dependent person. I don't ask anyone for favors. But I realized there will be days when you cannot wake up from bed, when you cannot cook your own meals, when you cannot tie a sari yourself, when you cannot comb your hair and may more…

It was difficult. I fought all these and put up a brave face saying I can do all this. Tomorrow will be normal. How wrong I was. I had to accept that my life has changed.

Am I sounding too negative? Well if so, then let me correct that. The biggest realization of all was that "Even when you do not ask for help, even when you deny others help and say you can manage, parents know the best." My mom and dad traveled the next week and I cannot tell you how I felt that day. No one in life can match the love, affection, and care of parents. I thank God for blessing me with such wonderful parents and pray for their happiness and well being every single day.

Farewell – Thanks & Good Bye

Farewell mail that I sent today to my colleagues.

Apprehensive about first job,
But confident about myself,
I landed at XXXX four years back.

Days of deadlines followed,
Pressures built up,
I was thrown into this world of IT.

When the going became tough,
I struggled to meet my own standards,
Caring colleagues, Loving friends restored my confidence.

Before I could realize,
I found the roles reversed,
As enthusiastic people joined the team.

As time went on,
With so many opportunities coming my way,
I grew personally and professionally.

I shifted teams,
Expanded my wings,
Learning new things every day.

Taking all these experiences,
I move ahead in life,
To continue my learning process.

Thanks for being there,
To support me,
And help me become what I am today.

I say good bye,
Wishing you all
lots of success and happiness!!

Is everything counted??

In sports, everything is counted, isn't it? There are so many statisticians involved in every sport.

Cricket, for ex., is a game of numbers. A batsman with an average of over 50 in Test cricket over a long period is great. Similarly a bowler is judged based on his strike rate. But is everything that a player does on the field is counted?

Every run scored by a batsman…Yes

Every wicket taken…Yes

Every catch taken…Yes

Every catch taken, even as a substitute...Yes

But what happens when a batsman requests for a runner? Is the runner's effort counted? I don't think so. And that's exactly my question. Why?

Similarly, when a runner makes a mistake or gets himself run out, why should the player who played the ball leave the field?

Why is one being accountable for another's mistake?

Just wondering, are there any cases like these in other sports? And is there a way the runner's effort can be logged?

Please let me know your answers.

Happy New Year!!

May this year bring you lots of happiness,

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

Mahalakshmi and Saraswati (M.S)

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.

கேள்வியும் நாமே பதிலும் நாமே

கூட்டத்தில் நிற்க்கும் போது உன்னை கண் சிமிட்டாமல் பார்க்கும் நான்
கண் முன் நீ நிற்கும் பொது தலை குனிந்து போவது ஏன்?

இத்தனை நாள் உனது அழகில் பூரித்த நான்
இன்று உனது வெட்கத்தில் மயங்கியே போகிறேனடி!!

தலையணை கட்டிக்கொண்டு உன்னிடம் ஆயிரம் விஷயம் பேசும் நான்
உனது ஒரு கேள்விக்கு பதில் சொல்ல தலை மட்டும் அசைப்பது ஏன்?

மௌனம் என்ற மொழியை கற்று கொடுக்கும் உனக்கு
எனது இதயத்தின் மொழி கேட்டும் மறைப்பதேனடி!!

மனதின் சந்தோஷத்தை உன்னிடம் சொல்ல ஓடோடி வரும் நான்
உனது நண்பனிடம் சொல்லிவிட்டு அவன் உன்னிடம் சொல்வான் என திரும்புவது ஏன்?

நீ பக்கம் வந்தாலே சந்தோஷ படும் என்னை
இப்படி சந்தோஷத்துடன் ஓடி வந்து கொல்வதேனடி!!

உன் வாழ்த்துக்கு நன்றி என்ற ஒரு வார்த்தை சொல்லும் நான்
நாள் முழுதும் மனதிலும் இதழிலும் புன்னகை புரிவது ஏன்?

உனது முகத்தை மனதில் பத்திரபடுத்தி இருக்கும் நான்
உனது புன்னகையின் காரணத்தையும் உணர்வேனடி!!

இப்படி ஆயிரம் கேள்வி எனக்குள் கேட்கும் நான்
அதன் பதில் காதல் என ஒத்துகொல்லாதது ஏன்?

உன்னை காதலிக்கிறேன் என்று நான் சொன்ன உடன்
உண்மையை மறைக்க முயன்று தோற்று போவதேனடி!!

Taking Control

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