Like the Flowing River Part 2

Today I have finally completed Paulo Coelho’s “Like the flowing river” book. It is a must read book for all the book lovers. The following poem is mentioned in one of the chapters of this book. 

This poem reminded me that it is not always necessary to pretend that things are running  smoothly in life. We should not bother what other people think about us. The best way to live the life is that, accept yourself as the way you are!!! Don’t try to change yourself just to please someone. 

This poem also shows the importance of simplicity/innocence in life

Because it has lived its life intensely

the parched grass still attracts the gaze of passers-by,

The flowers merely flower,

and they do this as well as they can.

The white lily, blooming unseen in the valley,

Does not need to explain itself to anyone;

It lives merely for beauty.

Men, however, cannot accept that ‘merely’

If tomatoes wanted to be melons,

they would look completely ridiculous.

I am always amazed

that so many people are concerned

with wanting to be what they are not;

what’s the point of making yourself look ridiculous?

You don’t always have to pretend to be strong,

there’s no need to prove all the time that everything is going well,

you shouldn’t be concerned about what other people are thinking,

cry if you need to,

it’s good to cry out all your tears

(because only then will you be able to smile again).

                                                                                                                         
                                                                                                                          -Written by Mitsuo Aida

Like the Flowing River....

Currently I am reading a book named, “Like the Flowing River” by Paulo Coelho who is one of my favorite authors. 

One of the fascinating qualities in Coelho is that he believes in believing. According to him believing/faith can open up certain possibilities that we have not even imagined. 

This book is a collection of small stories about different people that Paulo met during his life and each story has a deeper meaning inside. You can learn many practical lessons of life from this book. It is definitely one of Coelho’s best, for me after “The Alchemist” novel...

Some of the must read stories in this book are: 

Prepared for battle, but with a few doubts, The story of the pencil, How to climb mountains, The importance of looking, The solitary piece of coal, I can’t get it, The funny things about human being, God’s sign, Self deception, Remaining open to love.

These stories/articles work like an energizer for the day...

I could not resist myself to post some of the amazing lines of this book in my blog so that whenever I feel confused regarding the complexities of life, I can get inspiration from these lines. 

• “Lord, protect our decisions, because making Decisions is a way of praying. Give us the courage, after our doubts, to be able to choose between one road and another. May our YES always be a YES, and NO always be a NO. Once we have chosen our road, may we never look back nor allow our soul to be eaten away by remorse” 

• “Sometimes, we are so attached to our way of life that we turn down wonderful opportunities simply because don't know what to do with it.”

• “It is part of the human nature always to judge others very severely and, when the wind turns against us, always to find an excuse for our own misdeeds, or to blame someone else for our mistakes.”

• “Things do not always happen the way I would have wanted, and its best that I get used to that.”

• “This is the present moment. Learn how to gobble it up without fear or guilt.”

•   “Always pay attention to what is happening inside you”

• “Everything you do in life will leave a mark, so try to be conscious of that in your every action”

• 'These days people think a lot of their future and forget to live their present.''

•   'You can have at your disposal all the means of communication in the world, but nothing, absolutely nothing can compare looking someone in the eye.'

                                                                                                               

Today I faced a funny incident. I have a habit of saying hello to the security lady who sits near my work station for bag checking. Daily I used to smile at her and say Hi whenever I went out for water/tea/coffee etc. Very often she tries to communicate with me but failed as I don’t know Telugu and she doesn’t speak proper Hindi or English.

Today in the evening when I came out of my work area for filling my empty water bottle; she followed me and said that you are looking like a hero in this dress. (She said this in her broken Telugu plus Hindi language). I thought that she is saying that I am looking like a male in my white jeans and top. It was a worst comment for me. (Me looking like a boy…Oh God!!!) 

It took two-three minutes for me to come out from the shock .Then I replied that maybe I am wearing jeans that’s why. Then she laughed and said that no it’s a compliment. You are looking hero. Then by her actions I came to know that she meant to say that I am looking good in this dress. But unknowingly she was using term Hero instead of Heroine :) :) :)

I learned that I need to understand Telugu if I want to hear compliments in this language....

P.S: By the way Shikha today I was wearing the same pink top, which you have gifted me on my birthday last month :) :) :)

Morning Light In My Room!!!

Yesterday while coming from the office, I went to one departmental store to buy some groceries. While looking for green tea for Shewta’s father, a guy who was of my age group came and commented that so green tea is the secret of your fitness.  I felt odd as I didn’t know him and ignored his comment.

Then at the billing counter that guy was standing in front of me. There was a proud look on his face. He was working for one of the reputed IT companies. That I came to know because while showing off his smart phone, he dropped his I card from his hand

Then at the time of billing, he opened his wallet and gave credit card for payment. While giving card, he looked at me and again there was a sense of achievement in his face!!!

Really I don’t know what was the real reason behind his overconfident looks-the work which he is doing or the salary which he gets by the end of the month???

For the past three years I am working in IT sector and I am not doing anything great. Being a functional consultant my work is to understand the client requirements, and implement the ERP solution accordingly.

At the college time, I had pride on myself when I got distinction marks in all the semesters and had a job after fourth semester. I don’t have that pride anymore. It doesn’t mean that I am not enjoying my professional life but I never use my debit/credit cards, laptop, official ID, smart phone etc as a style statement. Moreover salary/cards are not the criteria of achieving anything great. My purse is also full of credit and debit cards.

Life in IT sector is different and stressful too. I agree we get good salary compared to other jobs but the lifestyle which we are living is not at all good. Because of working continuously on laptop, sometimes I face the problem of pain in my shoulders/back . Next week I have to attend three con calls whose timings are 2 am to 5am. Means I have to disturb my sleep for 3 days. I don’t think that it is sign of achieving anything great

In IT sector, you will not get any cubicle if you are not allocated to any project. I have seen many software engineers sitting idle at the cafeteria; library as they don’t have any computer, access to work-stations.

I guess that guy has chosen a wrong girl for show off. It is too difficult for me to get impressed by any IT professional

Each day brings a new lesson for you. Isn’t it?? This week I learned that one has to take every examination seriously ;-) ;-)

 Last week my manager told me that I need to clear one English assessment exam. In my current organization before going for any on-site opportunity, one needs to clear this exam, with above L7 grade. There is a grading system in this examination from grade L1 to L10.  It is a Basic exam which checks your English reading, listening, grammar and speaking skills. Time management is very essential for clearing it as you need to answer 72 questions in 50 minutes.

I took this exam very casually and went to exam centre last week. (Yeah there is a dedicated lab for this exam!!!)  But unluckily I forgot to take care of time management and  screwed up reading section and consequently speaking part too resulting in L6 grade which means “fail”. I was shocked to see the result....

There are only two attempts for clearing this exam. Yesterday again I gave it but there was tremendous pressure on me. I was scared when I reached the examination centre. I don’t know why but there was a deep fear in me that what will happen if I again messed up reading part as one need to read 16 different 3-4 paragraphs comprehensions for answering 16 questions and you get around 50 seconds for each question.

But today when the result was declared on the portal I got L9 .I am feeling relieved now. But this is a big lesson for me. Now before giving any assessment I will take care of every minute detail so that I will not face such situation again in life!!!

Friendship day!!!

Yesterday in the morning, I saw that a beautiful yellow rose was placed in my cubicle with a small friendship note by one of my friends on the occasion of friendship day.

I felt too special and pampered; realized that we all need a little "special something" that make us feel significant in other’s life. 

The small gesture of my friend has really made my day!!!

Now days our flat is turning into home as one of our flatmate’s parents are staying with us. This Saturday was different from other Saturdays as I didn’t open my laptop in the noon and spent the entire time in chatting with them. Really felt good and different from other days. Living with elderly people at home really changed the entire atmosphere. You feel more responsible and learn many good things from them. 

Today I also realized that now I interact with people very comfortably. Previously I was very shy and didn’t mingle other people easily. But Hyderabad brings many changes in me and most importantly now I know you have to change yourself with the time!!! You cannot adopt a stiff attitude especially while dealing with any relationships be it of friend, sister, life-partner and so on.....

Also I learned that there is no need to voice my opinion or views all the time! Now I love to listen to others notions first!!!

My transfer request to Pune is  approved by my manager. Hopefully I am going out of this city most probably in 1-2 months. But really I will never forget the time I spent in this city.

In Hyderabad, I have experienced every feeling that anyone can desire from life...

From my sis home....

Last to last weekend I was in Pune at my sister’s place and her home is too beautiful. Each and every corner of her home is beautifully adorned by her. Some part by me too ;-) 

Whenever I go there, my dream of buying my own house and then converting into a beautiful home revitalizes.

Unfortunately I have to wait for some more time as now a day’s property prices are touching sky and I need to save some more money for down payment of any flat :) :) :)

 Floating flowers in a bowl....

Aromatic candles

Systematically arranged dining area...

Classic example of Mizoram craftwork...

Flower vase at the corner of dining area