The Spirituality Link ...
So the finer more refined version of this extract finally being published on the blog. I first put my thoughts together then revisited it before finalizing the post. These ideas have been uppermost in my mind for quite some time and now have gained more clarity and hence deserve to be recounted here. Yes, it’s about spirituality and how it has a different more holistic connotation as compared to religion. I think the idea of ‘Spirituality is one and the same irrespective of the religion’- pretty much same as ‘God is one and religion is the ways to seek Him’. Am I getting very philosophical here ... but again everything has a purpose and very little can be accounted to coincidence.
My definition of spirituality is a pure mind, at peace with oneself. It doesn’t criticize, thinks positive and eclipses all negative energies from the soul. It’s about thinking and doing good, learning to keep faith, loving and forgiving even by those whom we have been adversely affected. Now, the moot question is, at least in my case- have I been able to forgive the so called ‘enemies ‘ of the past, those who have betrayed my trust, tried to ruin me. Well, I think, it’s about that I did it. For all we know, they might be even regretting their actions! But then if life, certain things can’t be undone. But who am I to judge those actions. I can spend an entire lifetime – hating them, cursing and in the bargain surrounding myself in negativity which doesn’t serve any purpose because everybody else remains unaffected especially those against whom I am nursing those feelings. So, time to let go of the past!
I also feel, Spirituality is not about reciting the holy verses of the Vedas, reading religious scriptures or even chant the names of God – it’s about detaching oneself from the fruits of our labour and thinking happy thoughts. Like – how can I do a good deed today and bring about a smile in someone else’ face? I was missing all these little things as I got caught up in the rat race for survival. When a break has to come – it will. In the meantime, God has given me this time to be happy and gay and celebrate living each day! I do get some salvation by reciting some religious stuff and reading books, gymming or watching movies so will continue doing that. Another important thing, which a comment from a friend started me into thinking – Should spirituality be about renouncing all worldly possessions and materialistic habits? Hmmm. Each to his or her own but for me at times I don’t enjoy possessing things so I can do without them but am not restricted to the bare necessities also ...
As for now, I just want a happy mind and a healthy body which is under my control. (I don’t give anyone else the key to control my happiness) For everything else, there is the Almighty who controls our destiny!
A musical legend passes away ...
I have not been very regular recording the varied events of late but then life hasn’t really been that action packed. But today I sit to write in this blog with a heavy heart as I mourn the demise of the King of Pop – Michael Jackson or MJ or Jacko or the living legend as he is fondly called. The news was sudden, most unfortunately, untimely and devastating for most of us who have grown up to his genre of music. He hasn’t even actively creating music after being embroiled in controversies and lawsuits as also financial troubles and the last I heard him was in 2002. However, like many others I was counting on his comeback tour in July this year ... but alas! That was never to be ... He succumbed to a cardiac arrest which many claimed to have been caused by medical overdoes and the exact cause of his death is still being investigated even as I write now.
Like every kid my generation – MJ was such a demigod. He personified pop and had many hooked on to this genre. For many years remained he remained synonymous with English music. While many marvelled at his Moonwalk and incredible dancing moves – I was admired his voice which was soft and melodious. Remember – ‘Man in the mirror’, one of my personal favourites along with ‘Just can’t stop loving you’. Other more popular and entertaining numbers were – Thriller, Beat it, Bad, Bille Jean, Black & White and Heal the world and numerous others ... We all marvelled at his ability to stretch his body in every imaginable and unimaginable way (like a rubber band) which so many others attempted to copy among many others in our own Bollywood and never came close to it ... Suffice to say, he has been the ‘inspiration’ behind Prabhu Deva, Chiranjeevi, Mithun Chakravarty to name a few ... I spent quite a few hours reminiscing the younger days as videos and music of the icon was being aired on TV.
Among other things – its redemption time for team India as they take on an inspired West Indies at their own turf starting from today. It’s ‘redemption ‘ because the team’s latest showing at the T20 World Championship was so disheartening that its threatened to obliterate the tremendous achievement of the team over the past year or so. The reigning World Champs early exit at the Super 6 stage provoked people to write them off, not to mention the heavy losses incurred by the advertising fraternity as a result of reduced TV viewership. India was supposedly undone by the short pitched deliveries hurled at them by the Caribbean bowlers and later by their English counterparts. The conditions in the Windies could be similar but this is a different ball game as we are playing a series of 4 ODIs but nonetheless, it will be a ‘test of character’ for the Indian batsman whose confidence level took a serious dent owing a disappointing Championship. I am personally waiting for the action to unfold ... later today.
On the personal front, nothing seems to be working out because after disappointment is Mumbai even the Noida offer is hanging by the hook and still quite out of reach. I did receive a verbal offer last Monday and have been waiting for a written statement which was supposed to reach me the next day. This could be the only other stage in the recruitment process where a ‘rejection’ was pending. As for me, I don’t know what went wrong – they have perhaps discussing the budget issue. Kind of reiterates what the astrologer mentioned about not getting an offer till October. He also predicted that after December 25th there’s going to be a positive period which will turn golden after next year. I guess I need to follow instructions – do the serpent puja and also year the Ganesha locket.
Let’s see how things move on ... of all the disappointments – (now I have run out of words to describe that emotion) it’s difficult to keep your chin up, take everything in your stride and move on to explore the next big opportunity with enthusiasm.
Will wind up today with a prayer - May MJ’s soul rest in peace as we relive his memories by celebrating his music...
A women's struggle for survival in the corporate world ...
By now, anyone who has ever read any post in this blog would have got used to my musings – often painful disappointments, anxious apprehensions, fear and very rarely joy. This blog has served repeatedly as an antidote to a disturbed mind and an aching heart!
I have given vent to my thoughts and feelings, trials and tribulations over the past year and perhaps the biggest professional setback (after the dismissal from UBS) has happened in the last week. I used the word ‘perhaps’ because firstly, I am yet to get a confirmation that GMI has decided not to go ahead with my candidature for possibly the most petty reason and secondly, I am not yet sure that this is the end of my string of failure. I am assuming that I need to travel to Delhi next week for the last round at cpa global.
It’s surprising that even today when nearly half the workforce in corporate India comprise of women – there is still so much of gender discrimination against them. The clarifications on the relocation issue never seem to be convincing enough for the HR department. As Arindam says – If they chose not to get convinced, no amount of explanation will work. Now, I am told through sources that they have second thoughts as taking up this offer would mean finding a new school for my daughter during mid-session! They haven’t yet communicated their final decision yet but it was surprising to say the least – given that I have been there twice and this topic should have been settled in the first visit itself. This is quite like being black-listed by Manthan services that had the same reckoning about a married lady with a school going kid relocating to Bangalore doesn’t seem plausible ...
Under the current situation, with no ‘live cases’ under consideration in Hyderabad – I should give up the job search but I will wait patiently for the next opportunity that comes my way – I never quit ‘coz I know these are testing times.