Words

Normally my Mom used to water all the plants in the house on daily basis. Once my mom went to my sisters home for a week, so I had to water all the plants for a week. That’s when I noticed couple of plants were dried up and some were in almost dying stage. That time I remembered of seeing a video or reading somewhere about an experiment when you speak life to the plant you can see it growing and when you curse it dies up eventually. Just for few days I tried speaking life to those plants while I watered them for a short while I was amazed to see the major difference all the dried ones could see new life and growth. I just wanted to try whether the experiment was true or false was eventually able to see significant difference. That reminded me of how many times we personally would have experienced in our life. When we are with few people, how energised and charged with few people cos of their kind, appreciative, motivating words enlightening us, empowering us, even a failure person it gives the motivation that you can achieve big things. However there are few people when we meet them they drain out the energy completely from us by their words. Whenever we meet them we feel hurt if their words they speak they demotivate a person who can achieve and do great things can also become a person who can’t do anything just listening to them. How many times we have been a person who always motivates and speak life to other people’s lives or how many times we become the people who hurt our loved ones by our words and being a demotivating person for many lives. It’s time to think and be surrounded with people who can speak life into our lives and not the ones who drains and demotivates us and be the person who can speak life to other peoples life and not demotivating them.

Industrial Visit

This incident which happened during our college which we will never forget. Hope none of our college students will forget this. Forgot whether its first year or second year. We have been scheduled for an industrial visit in our college to Ennore. I was studying in Sathyabama Engg college. The college is known for its strict rules and regulations most of us would be aware of. When we studied it was part of the madras university and it was one among the top 2-3 college across the city. Though the college is very strict I also don’t study much but I always remain disciplined I had never ever bunked a class or taken even a single day holiday during those days. It was so planned to have an industrial visit for the entire batch of us from our department to visit the Ennore thermal plant. There were 2 buses arranged one bus with entire girls gang and the few very studious guys in the bus. The other with all the boys of the class in the bus. As we started the bus as soon as we exited out of the campus all the boys were so hyped and everyone was shouting and having a lot of fun in the bus. As we started our journey from Sholinganallur towards Ennore, suddenly what happened one or 2 guys from the bus started to plan to get down from the bus and go somewhere else. As soon as they got down every signal another bunch of guys planned something and got down either movie or hanging out or to malls each of the bunch got down with different agenda. Before we came near adyar almost the entire bus was empty hardly with 2 or three left. That time I don't know what was running on my mind even I got down with another 2 or 3 boys down the bus. We didn't do anything we just went each to our homes. I have never bunked a single class till that time in college don't know why I did that that too on our visit to industrial visit. We all didn't know what happened after that and we all went normal to our college next day. To our surprise our HOD has reported this incident to the director of college and the entire boys who all got down were given the office duty. Office duty is nothing but if anyone follow the rules or didn't do what they supposed to do they have to be standing in front of the office. As we all were standing then only we all came to know when the bus we all went and reached the location there was none in the bus when the staff who was sitting in the bus turned back to see he was so surprised. Director of college have instructed all our students to bring their parents to college to meet the director in person. That incident is so unforgettable we all bought our parents, now all our parents it was a nice opportunity for them to meet all their kids friends and even their parents. Though it was a very funny moment whenever we think of it we will always laugh. But that incident reminds me to think it from a different perspective. Though I had never taken leave to college even a single day unnecessarily though it was a fun trip to enjoy though educational when everyone started doing it we got carried away. There were lot of guys even very studious guys not like me also got down from the bus and they had to bring their parents. It’s a reminder to see are we getting carried away by seeing the crowd though we have our principles though we stand a lot to do right things we can be easily carried away when we want to be included and are not willing to be differentiated from the crowd. Though we may be that 1 or that 1% who didn't want to go with the crowd, are we willing to letgo of wanting to be included in the crowd compromising ourselves and our principles or standing out from the rest.

Chicken Floss Bun

When I went to Srilanka for the first time with Avinash when Caleb was working there, he took us to Bread talk. He gave too much of hype stating the chicken floss bun there would be tasting so good and it’s a must try. I felt he is giving too much hype, as we know he is used to do that for everything so we can't trust him. Anways with a little doubt we went to that place. To the surprise it was tasting really good. I fallen for that food, can't explain it properly how tasty that food is. The buns will be so soft and inside it will have kind of cream cheese filling and in the top of the buns it will be layered with Chicken floss. Those chicken floss looks like cotton candy that’s how those chicken would be done and topped. When you bite, the soft bun, the cream cheese and the cotton candy kind of chicken all together in the mouth altogether gave a different experience. I loved that, had couple more again the same day. Think we came again to the same place before we left. Also When I went twice to that place later once for Toastmasters conference and other time with family when Caleb was there went both the times to taste that lovely Chicken floss Bun. After I started the business its been more than 5 years have stepped outside the country. Last year decided to go to Srilanka with Dev as it has been more than 5 years without any travel outside India. I was giving so much hype to Dev and as soon as we landed we went straight to Bread talk. To our surprise and disappointment they said there is a lot of delay in getting those shipped from Singapore these days. After Covid and also after that Srilanka eeconomic crisis. I immediately asked them whether it will come in the next couple of days, they said no it will take minimum of 20 days for it to be shipped from Singapore. I was totally disappointed as soon as the start of the journey. Though we had good time exploring all the places and tried different food. But disappointment to the fact that expectation wasn't fulfilled after a wait of 5 years and not getting the one which I so longed to have was a scar at that moment. Have experienced the same in most of the times, though we have lot of really great moments to enjoy and cherish. Without enjoying and cherishing those moments we get disappointed cos of expecting something and that not happening in our lives. Our lives become more enjoyable with lot of cherishing moments when we least expect anything or from anyone and enjoying every little little moments and people God has blessed us with.

Oil Spill

When I used to work in HCL BPO, I used to be working in all the shifts. I worked in almost every shift under the sun. The one worst shift which I used to work is the graveyard 3am shift. During those time I used to be driving my YAMAHA RX135 to office. I used to be very rash driving at that time. I never wore helmets. Probably the few hair which I had lost also cos of that. During those morning shift timings I used to wake up only at 2.30 get ready by 2.55. Exactly at 2.55pm I start from Velachery and within 5 mins I will be in Greams Road, That’s how rashly I used to drive. When I reach office all the little hair I had will be spiked up. I easily drive between 80 to 110kms/hour during those days without any helmets. Though I rashly drive, I had a very good control over bike. I never fell down riding rashly. I used to cut between two cars in just a fraction of second and just fly away. Now when I drive the car only I know how painful that is when driving car seeing those kind of bikers. Though I used to drive so rashly I never met with accident or fell from bike. But I could remember this incident, where I was just driving at 20km/hour very very slowly in Tharamani road. Suddenly don't know what happened, my bike suddenly skid and I fell down from the bike. Nothing has happened to the bike, I had a small scratch on my fingers as few flesh part was torn I still have those scars. I couldn't get to know what happened, then only I realized there was a oil spill very less on that road that caused the tyres to skid. If at all I had seen someone in the front driving and falling or someone cautiously driving or if the oil was visible seen I would have avoided and this would never happened. If I could think of this incident only one thing comes to my mind. However efficient you are in driving, how effectively and fastly you can go. But there is a point in life we would not even know or think of a small oil spill. Which we might have not even considered it as something or we even un noticed but that could be a reason for us to fall. Though how great our driving can be a small oil spill can make us fall. How great we can be, how great we have achieved in our lives, we may think we will never fall of who we are and what we have accomplished and what we can do but we would not know any one small oil spill which we have unnoticed in our lives could be a reason for the great to fall like any other normal men.

Second Hand

When I was studying in first year college, my friend prince was studying in his School 12th Standard. At that time itself his dad has bought him an TVS Super XL Bike. Whatever he asked His dad will buy it for him cos he loves him so much and he is his everything. When he was about to go to college first year he asked for an Yamaha immediately his dad bought his bike for him. He used to well maintain his XL Super. As he is getting his Yamaha he was about to sell his TVS Super XL. At that time I pestered my mom and asked to buy that XL super bike from him. I never even thought about our financial condition, my dad was working in Saudi that time though we didn’t have much money. Paying my college fees itself was a challenge. Since I was interested my mom didn’t say any word she kept her jewelry and helped me to buy the TVS Super XL. I was so happy, I used to drive that XL super crazy. I used to drive like a super bike not even the racer bikes can't come near it that’s how rashly I used to drive that bike but well controlled driving. Days went by few months went by, one by one I started to face issues with the Excel super. Once the kicker went of, it wasn't working. Once the silencer went of, once the chain sprocket went off. I kept on servicing one by one. Though I kept on servicing to maintain it every time I used to spend 3k, 4k for every service. Though I had bought it for 10k, I would have spent more than 30 35k for the service. The bike was well maintained by prince when he was using it, not even a single issue. Also he left for proper service before even giving it to me. That’s when I realized, since I wanted something I didn’t even pray or wait and ask the Lord, I just wanted it and got it. Not even thinking a bit of family financial condition even wasn't thinking a bit of moms jewelry been kept, I wanted it I got it. Years went by it had come to a worse condition can't even ride properly sometimes. I always had a dream of getting the Yamaha from my childhood. I used to pray Lord I need that bike, fast forward after finishing college and after a wait for job for sometime. When I joined the job with the first month salary I just went and booked the Yamaha RX135 2 stroke of my dreams. The model which I took was similar to the Vintage RX100. As soon as I took and drive on roads everyone will ask how did you got this bike. How did you got it. As soon as I booked and it got delivered the manufacturing and the production of the Yamaha RX135 was stopped. I have never seen any bike of this model in the city. Not only that it was stopped for all the 2stroke bikes across the country. That’s when got reminded me, when you pray to me and wait on it I will make all your dreams come true beyond even your Imagination. After couple of years, when we were searching for houses to purchase. We have been looking for all the second hand houses. None of it was satisfactory for both mom and dad. Don’t know somehow God showed us a new single bedroom house and moved there. Though it was a single bedroom, I have lot of memories associated in that house, I still remember all our friends we used to just sleep in the balcony almost 6 of us will lie down and sleep in that small place. Little forward when we decided to look for a double bedroom after many years, I went on to search for all the second hand houses cos thinking that’s the only thing we can afford. But none of them our parents didn't like it, neither I liked it. We never had the peace at all. But suddenly mom when she went and asked the place near our house where a construction was going on. They updated its all sold out, but again when mom went and approached he said everything is available. We didn't have even a little amount. I can apply for Loan but didn't have any small amount to pay initial. The builder himself said I'll give agreement as you have paid the initials you can go ahead and apply for loan and give it to me once you received the loan. Who will do it for a person whom he has never met. Its was God's great favor. When we were looking for all the second hand houses, he gave the new one which we didn't even ask or search for. After couple of years worked in Wipro, after I learned car driving I was so interested in getting car. At that time all my friends had second hand car. I have one bad habit if its not mine, I wont use something if its not mine. All my friends used to ask me to drive their car but I never would have driven. I wanted to drive my car. I made up all my mind to buy second hand car. Went and checked for few Maruti Zen. I Liked it whenever I liked and was about to buy, I could see something or the other would stopping me from proceeding further. It happens once I liked the car so much, it was a fancy number as well. And the owner was so kind and he said you take I don't know I feel like I need to give it to you. You take it now and you go and pay the advance. I was so so tempted to go for it, but some how felt it was stopped. I felt God was saying me not to go for the seconds. I decided to stop proceeding further and wait till I get my own new car. It took many years of wait, but I got an opportunity with Zero down payment I took the Honda City in 2014. Its still with me, have lot of memories attached to it. If I look back and think, I could only see God's Hand is in it. I would always used to feel when we give the choices to Him, He always gives us the first Best in our lives. But at the same time, when we go behind things based on what we want its always the second best it can never be the best of what God has indented in our lives. It’s a reminder for me to check over the years have I forgotten what my God has done and given always the first best in my life, Have I drifted away from my faith and waiting on the Lord to get the first best in my life and settling down for some second best or even last worst in my life.

Morning Drive

Today I took my car for a drive in the morning. People in chennai will know how the weather during summer. We can’t even travel due to excess heat. It’s been so hot for the last couple of weeks. Even with AC’s running we can still feel the heat. But today it was exact opposite as it has rained in the early morning. It was so soothing to enjoy the ride listening to some nice songs. It’s a quick reminder for me however the weather may be, what ever the season may be still it can be changed in a flash of second if God intervenes. We may be going through situations it may look like the long summer nothing pleasant in our lives. But inspite of the situation and circumstance we all know rain is not possible in that season but still God can bring about a rain in our lives that can change any situation that’s not possible or practically nothing can be done. God can bring that needed breakthrough in our lives in unexpected way where every eye can see as we enjoy and be delighted in that unthinkable miracles in our lives.

Back Pain

During my first year of College I used to have a TVS Excel super, which I used to be driving a lot. 2 incidents happened during those days. Once I was travelling with Robin Annan in his scooter sitting behind with a speaker in my leg. My back was hitting badly in a metal rod behind me. With the weight on the speaker on by lap and the back hitting the road had little pain. Within couple of days before or after. I was travelling with Santhosh on my Excel super. We used to call him Yemadharma Raaja, cos whenever he used to travel with Reuben both of them will fall from the bike or they will hit somewhere while riding. Reuben drives crazy that’s another story but he himself will call him yemadharma raaja cos of hm only all the accidents. I have been driving the excel super so rashly for couple of years, I used to race with all the big big bikes during those days but not even a single day fell from the excel super. Don’t know that day it was the effect of the yemadharma raaja Santhosh that day. I just overtook an auto another bike came in the wrong route suddenly in front, even after applying full break couldn’t able to stop we went and bumped in the bike and we both fell down and the handle got twists we adjusted and went on ride again. After couple of days I started getting back pain. It started a little and it become very severe. I wasn’t sure which incident was the reason either the speaker ride on the scooter with Robin Annan or ride with our yemadharma the reason for the back pain.It become so severe I as struggling to walk, ride, lift weights. I started going to physio as well. Whenever I go to them when they give shock kind of wave it will reduce the pain but it will start again and it will aggravate. I started sometimes to kind of limp and walk due to severe pain, not to walk like that mom used to mimic my walking so I don’t walk like that. Sometimes I used to think that’s all this pain is going to be forever. Once it happened we were in a meeting in YMCA, that time Sheeba Akka after the meeting said to me I prayed for you today in the meeting when they prayed for back pain and when they said it will be healed thought it will be healed. To tell the truth I didn’t even pray that day in that meeting cos I had prayed many times before and didn’t see any relief. But that day after Akka said that only I checked I didn’t feel any pain, thought it might be just for a spur or moment or I just feeling like that since Akka said that moment. But I never had that pain anytime later but don’t know how it went off like that. Many of us won’t believe can prayer heal. Those who had seen me during those days will know how I used to walk cos of back pain and if God heals it’s healed. It doesn’t matter who prays for us, when genuinely our loved ones when they pray with a sincere heart God hears the prayers. If you have anyone who prays to the prayer answering God with a genuine heart without expecting anything in return you are so blessed. Also be a blessing to your loved ones who can pray with a genuine heart so your loved ones can be healed or can have the comfort or breakthrough what they have been waiting for.

Scratch in the car

When I took the car in the 2014 I have never been used to driving cars before. I used to take care of it so much. Everyday I myself will wash the car ensure it’s super clean all the time. Within 14 days of taking the car, I went in a small lane. It was very short path to travel, at that time I always take big roads to avoid these traffic. When it was very narrow and no way to go I just stopped it. Someone on the front said come come you can come. In the left it was a metal dustbin and in the right it was an auto. As I wasn’t comfortable as I used to be now driving in congested areas. I just followed his instructions as I went a little forward I heard a little noise in the left side. My car hit a small metal which was projecting from the dustbin. I should have stopped or steered to the right. I didn’t know what to do at that moment I just continued driving. I heard a big scratching noise. When I went and stopped the car near home it’s a huge scratch throughout the entire back door. A big line scratch. My heart literally stopped at the moment. Next day took the car to service and gave it for service to get it done immediately. Think it costed more than 35k covered in insurance and the car was like new again without any scratch. I kept maintaining the same way for some years. Even if there was any small scratch I immediately will leave it for body work to be painted back to bring to original condition. That’s how I used to maintain for many years. After that once my car got affected in the flood, after that I stopped giving that care how I used to. Though I had someone to wash it daily. Previously how I will take it for immediate body work to be shining bright with needed paintings to be done, now I stopped doing that. My friends who have recently traveling or travelled with me will know how I’m maintaining it like a bumper car now even if hit I’ll just see and drive through though maintaining it with good interiors. Only the friends who have seen or travelled with me when I took the car will only know how it was maintained well. If I think it through what made the sudden change in behaviour of the care I had for was lost. Sometimes I’m not able to understand is it the years or is it old. Or some damage has happened why I really need to take effort or spend so much to maintain again or my needs and priorities have changed or matured enough to not spend for luxury than need. I still not able to conclude. Like this also most of the time it happens for us with any relationship over the years. The same love and care we have for people changes over the years. Sometimes it’s difficult to understand as to why situation, circumstances, finances, difference of opinion, lack of respect, new circle of people. Not sure why for both. But it’s a realisation for me to care for both though years have gone or whatever may happen wish I could always remain the same.

Why me?

Why me? Why me Lord.. This one question almost everyone one of us would have asked the lord in any point of time in our life’s. For silly silly reasons we would have asked the lord some times. When running late for school, when missed the last bus to school. When tyre got flattened while on the way to office. When our parents didn’t buy that expensive toy or they didn’t allow for a movie. when our friends didn’t let in their gang. When we didn’t get our favourite dress for our festivals. When we couldn’t get some matching jewels. Sometimes for even bigger things. Why me Lord why I’m not getting that admission in that school, college. Why me not getting that job opening, promotion, on-site. Why me why no one is falling love with me. Why me Why I’m not married, why I don’t have kids. Why me why I don’t have money to buy things bike, car, house. Why me Lord why I’m not able to start business, why I’m not able to find breakthrough in business. Why me why I couldn’t travel across the world, why I can’t have everything what others have. Sometimes even more serious things why me Lord why that sickness, why that financial loss, why that miscarriage, why losing my property, why me Lord. Why losing my loved ones, why me Lord Losing everything. If we think about it our why me Lord list goes on and on on a daily basis from small silly things to needed and very serious things. But have we ever wondered and thought about it the same why me Lord in a different perspective in our lives. Why me Lord why me.. Even when I’m running late to school even when I missed the last bus, u sent another bus or even I was late at school you helped to find favour to be let in why me. When the tyres got flattened u had protected me from an unknown danger ahead which I didn’t even know why me. When I was gribbing about not being included in friends gang you gave me one loyal friend why me. When I thought I couldn’t get admission in school or college but you gave me admission in even a better college why me why me Lord. When I couldn’t get even a basic job for years but you gave me a high paying job later which I don’t even deserve why me. The promotion that didn’t happen that year but later got a double promotion and that 100% hike which I wasn’t expecting why me Lord. Have we ever asked why me Lord why the job, for me when everyone around is jobless and layoffs happening. Why me Lord when I’m not able to start business or travel or buy things or don’t have money for all luxury but you have given all that things which is needed in my life may not be what all I wanted. Why me Lord, why have u given a lovely family to take care of me even I may not have lot of material things money or possessions. Why me Lord why giving that good health when lot of people are suffering with diseases and losing loved ones. Why have u kept me alive why me. Why me lord why me even when I go through sickness and suffering and pain why Lord why ur always there beside me caring for me healing me. Why me Lord why me even when I fail why u love me so much and give me new start why me. Why me Lord why me when I couldn’t find people to fall in love whom I wanted, but you send me genuine people who fall in love with me care for me more that I could think of. Why me lord why me even when I couldn’t conceive and have baby of my own, u send me kids whom I don’t even know sometimes to share the love with me why me Lord. Most of the times we only ask why me Lord when we don’t have something when we want something when we compare with what others have and what we don’t have and our hearts are always filled with questioning God of his provisions love and care. But at the same time when we question with a heart of Lord I don’t deserve lot of things I didn’t get all I wanted but still you are providing and leading things guiding things which may not be all I wanted but what I needed. We will have a grateful heart. It’s time for us to think why me Lord why me is our questions in our heart all the time is it of finding fault in everything and gribbing about it or it’s a grateful heart of saying why me Lord Why me why those blessings and grace in my life which I really don’t deserve.

Root Canal

Around 2007 or 2008 I suddenly started to have some pain in the tooth. As I have went to any dentist earlier for any regular check up, went for the first time as the pain started little unbearable. Looks like a small piece got broken and when they checked all the scanning they found that one of my tooth got infected and it really needs to be addressed on priority. Dentist said Root canal has to be done to fix it. I didn’t get what actually that meant. I thought it will be like just cleaning of tooth. Later only realised it will be drilling of tooth and fixing it with cap. When they did the drilling it was for couple of hours. Though it wasn’t paining as they have given sedative and painkiller but it was of so discomfort. They asked to come after couple of days to fill with cap. It was so painful and discomfort during that time. I was thinking why I need to go through that pain and discomfort. That’s when I realised if I didn’t do that it would have completely destroyed that tooth and it could spread even more and could have even become more complicated. It’s a realisation for me sometimes that kind of drilling or the pain or the discomfort is needed in our life’s so that we don’t live being in the comfort with the things that could completely ruin our life’s.

Pinch of Salt

I have never cooked earlier in my life. Haven't touched the gas stove at all for many years for not even boiling water. But I have a very good taste. At least that’s helps to work with chefs when preparing menu trying new items. Even if there is a little of salt is missing or over done or if it wasn't cooked like the previous time I could easily figure it out. Couple of months before since I had a little time suddenly I thought let me just give a try to cook and see how terrible it is. Couple of items I did it came out pretty good. Favorite was the Beef Ularthiyathu which came out pretty well couple of times. I did it couple of times for me, and home and friends. Also with couple of other gravies. And when we dined I was able to feel the salt was missing on it. Since friends Dev & Rohan didn't say anything as I cooked specially for them they said its all good and they had it. But I was able to sense it the salt was really missed on one of the dal gravies. It was a gentle reminder for me its always easy to just taste and tell that salt is missing or its too much. But only when we do we know the difficulty of striking the balance. As that was couple of times only I had done it, still didn’t get the hang of it to taste and to get the salt to be adjusted. But it was a different kind of thought though we may be putting all the full efforts in anything we do but we may think of very very little things in life which are of no significance and we may not even consider to check them. But eventually most of the times that turns out to be major factors in we missing something big or huge or turning in a mess cos of that little thing we know that needs to be checked or fixed which we failed to do so. Sometimes its just a little thought or little action or that little habit could play a greater impact in our lives. Like a pinch of salt that one small little habit that needs to be given up or that new habit that needs to be cultivated could make our lives more purposeful and meaningful. And its a reminder for me to work on the habits to give up few things and to cultivate new good habits.