Today’s Lesson

Dear Diary,

The lesson I learnt today is to practice mind control and tongue control; in a nutshell, self-control.

Silence gives immense strength. You need a lot of willpower and determination to keep quiet when all you want to do is shout. Of late, I have noticed that a majority of our lives’ problems (so-called) die a natural death without affecting us.

Controlling your thoughts and words is the only mantra. Let’s practice self-control.

Love,

Juju

Straight From My Heart

Dear Diary,

I penned this poem when my mom left us on 18 June 2015. A routine summer vacation changed into a life-altering trip.

Maa to maa hai, maa ki umar nahin hoti, Kuch rishton ki umar nahin hoti (A mother is a mother. She has no age. Some relations cannot be measured on a weighing scale)

Faaslein na honn, to yatra khatam nahi hoti

Yeh ehsaas unko Hi hai jisne kisi apne to khoya hai (If there are no differences, the journey is never-ending. This is felt by those who have lost someone dear)

Varna aise berukhi se na poochte, “kitne saal ki thi auntiji” Aur uske baad ka yeh jawab “phir to theek hai” (Else people would have never asked her age. Upon hearing her age, they would validate that the age is right)

Kya kahein unse, saal nahin, ve to har pal mein sau saal jeei hain hamesha, har pal ko jeena sikha gayein hain (How can I explain that she lived her life fully and taught us to live every moment?)

Aakhri lamhe mein bhi woh apni baat keh kar, bina vilambh ke parmatma ke paas chali gayein hai! (Even in her last moment, she quickly wound up her mortal life and left on her higher journey. She valued every moment)

Kaun kehta hai, maa ki kitni umar sahi hai: yeh sansaar chodne ke liye? (Who are these people to pass judgement on the right age for a mother to leave this world?)

Apna vazood aur sanskars apne bachhoon aur aage ki peedi mein chhod gayi hain!

Woh zinda hai meri har baat mein, mere har khayal mein, meri har soch mein, meri har kalpana mein! (She has left her values and essence in her children. She is very much alive in my conversations, thoughts and in my dreams)

Kaun kehta hai “ma ki kitni umar hai?” Maa to Maa hai: koi Umar nahin: Maa to amar hai, ajar hai.

(Who are these people to ask how old was your mother and then nod in approval that it was alright to leave this mortal coil? A mother cannot be limited by her age. She lives forever in our hearts)

Juju

Love you, mom. Miss you.

From here to up there. Until we meet again.

Challenging Times

Challenging times can either make you or break you!

The choice is ours. Please be your own counsellor and try to always make it!

In Japan, broken vases/things are repaired/glued back together. The rejoined part is highlighted to emphasise the fact that we break in life many times, but it is important is to regain yourself.

Scars are beautiful! Always remember that because it means you have lived a good life.

Love,

Juju

Straight From My FPG Diary

Dear Diary,

Happy, positive morning!

While driving my son to tennis class early this morning, with my husband in the driver’s seat, I just pondered about happiness and peace. That twenty-minute drive was absolutely blissful, peaceful and pure. Why can’t we be in the same state all the time? This reminded me of the routine teatime talk I had with my parents. I am sharing a pearl from my Momsie-Popsie FPG Diary.

Me: Mummy! What do you mean by ‘enjoy every moment’? I have been listening to this since childhood. How do I enjoy?

Momsie: Raju, enjoyment is a state of mind. If we enjoy each moment, then imagine how many moments you will collect. Your happiness bank balance will be full. When I say this, I mean be in that moment. Cherish it, enjoy and be oblivious to the next or previous moment. Just be in that time-space.

Me: This goes above my head!

Momsie: Why do you think you can understand this immediately? Life is not mathematics where I will tell you the formula and you apply. It is beyond that. It is a journey, and your experience will make you understand. Life is a great teacher.

Meanwhile, my Popsie (FPG) finished his tea and remarked in his usual style: See, beta, life is very simple. Stop analysing and start enjoying! You can’t do both together.

For me/us, the ritual of sipping tea together, which our mom made, is more spiritual and religious than going to a temple. We enjoy the moment and live in it. At times, we don’t even talk. There is understanding in silence too.

Me (like an aggressive, over smart child): How is it possible? Life has its ups and downs. How can you maintain that space and feeling?

FPG: Sabse pehle, you can’t learn life ke fundas so quickly or immediately. Samay ke saath, dheere dheere sab samajh mein aa jaata hai! (First and foremost, one cannot understand the principles of life so soon. It takes time and patience) Apply the principle of seeing life in totality, then you will experience…”

FPG kept his cup down on the table and got up to go for his morning walk.

Momsie smiled, picked up the tray and said, “Raju, enjoy every moment” and left.

I thought a lot about it, and it dawned on me—living each moment is the key to a harmonious life.

I do fail an umpteen number of times, but I remind myself of the ant story and bounce back again.

The next thing on my mind—the totality of life.

I will keep that for the next teatime as I want to enjoy every moment.

With love,

Juju