THE MARCH OF TIME

CELEBRATION OF TIME

Time just goes on and on and on. It never stops to take stock of what it left behind and never pauses to wait for anyone to catch up.

We keep running behind time trying to catch up with it. Someday when we stop and look back, we are surprised to find the many footsteps that we left behind us. Have we come such a long way? We wonder! Then we find that the face that looks back from then and the face that we have now has changed so much! Lines of wisdom, years, age have all left furrows on that once smooth cheek. The forehead has deep ridges like a train track. Though time has taken its toll externally, within we more or less remain the same.

THE WELL TRODDEN PATH

The same insecurities, the same fears, the same stage fright, the same inadequacies stare back at us. We are so busy running after time that we do not try to deal with these fears which keep on getting manifested within us.

I had this great fear of putting my head underwater. My husband tried very hard to make me overcome this fear, but I never managed. I had to keep my head over water come what may and so even when I went to the swimming pool everyday, I used to be the beached whale who never moved from the safest sanctuary.

My grand daughter who is 7 years old, used to try and encourage me. She would see me sitting in one place and come and tell me, "Nani, hold my hand, put your head under water, look, like this!" Her words and her desire to see me in water, made me "want" to get over this fear. 

Last week we went to a Holiday place called Centerparcs, near Cambridge. There is a beautiful swimming pool there with a number of rapids, slides, hot water, cold water and salt water pools. During my previous visit there, I used to simply sit in the hot water pool, which was a small enclosure. I would not move out of that enclosure even for two hours. This time with my new found determination to overcome my fear, when I found myself alone in the hot water pool, I slowly put my head under water, holding the sides of the pool with both my hands for dear life! I saw success! I could actually manage to hold my breath and remain under water. After coming out, I could breathe and was not gasping for breath. I tried it a few more times, and as soon as my inspiration Aaliya came to check on me, I told her, "Aaliya, I can put my head under water." We both then went to the Salt water pool where the rest of our family was busy swimming. I declared my new found capability and demonstrated the same to them proudly. I don't know if anyone would really realize how big that achievement meant to me. As chance would have it there was an under water photographer around, and we quickly got a photo taken of this memorable moment.

GRACEFUL GLIDING SWANS

Having got over this fear, I am now determined to learn swimming. Some day I will swim with my family. Everyone in my family takes to the water like a duck and hates to come out. Now I too will be able to join them!

Having said this, I wish to say, that there is no fear that one cannot overcome. Time will not stand by to allow us another extra moment. Within the time that we live, one has to make the most of it. Life is too short to dwell over miseries. Life and its memories are made up of our own experiences. It is in our own hands to make the experiences happy or sad. Each and every event in life can be seen from different perspectives. While the early bird catches the worm, it is also true that the early worm gets caught first and loses its life!

THE EARLY BIRD

I say enjoy every moment, savour life, take time to smell the flowers! Time is moving fast, and we cannot lag behind. Let's keep pace and stay with it. Let's not run after it!

WALK ON WITH TIME

Day and Night

Every morning as I walk on a path, I hear the musical chirping of birds, the rustling of leaves with a little breeze, and watch a bit of sunshine peeping out from the trees. These make my mornings so beautiful!

The same path when taken late in the night by me evokes the sensation of fear. I hear the hooting of the owl, the rustling of leaves, and also see a little sliver of the moon peeping from between the leaves, and instead of feeling nice and happy at the bounty of nature and natural surroundings; I actually feel a chill down my spine. It is fear! I want the path to end soon; I want to reach my destination as fast as I can. I double up my speed. In fact I find myself almost running the entire length back home. I look suspiciously at any person who passes me. I look with fear at every shadow that is cast around with the light of the moon.

In the morning when I walk on that very same path, every strangers' face is a friendly face with Good Morning written large on the face. The smiles are friendly. The rustling of the leaves make me feel the freshness of the breeze. The peeping sun tells me it's another day, which will be bright, beautiful, cheerful and purposeful. I look forward to the day ahead of me.

What happens at night?

Why is there the fear of the unknown?

Why does the rustling of leaves not make me feel cool and comfortable?

Why does every stranger appear like a potential monster? The smiles appear sinister?

Why? What is it about night and darkness that makes that very path become an endless journey?

The contrast of day and night make me wonder!