The dare to do the new

We all have that one moment when we stand under the umbrella and look at the rain, wondering how good will it feel to simply step into it. We may most probably be under a roof, or under the umbrella, under its safety, that we simply look at the rain at sigh. Because when you want to do something different, lot questions arise. How difficult is it going to be? Where will I reach? Will I get what I want? Where is this leading to? What will others think? What will I do?

We are so immersed in the questions that we fail to take a step ahead. We prefer staying under the safety of the umbrella. But you have to realize that you are not meant to stay dry for the rest of your life. At that point all you have to do is throw away the cover you are holding, and simply walk into the rain.

At first it is going to feel good. But then you are not meant to stay there. To enjoy the rain you have to walk in it. It is not going to be easy. The rain will get harder. The wind will start pushing you backwards. The raindrops will be like bullets on your skin. People will look at you, laugh at you, call you a fool. They will laugh when you get pulled down, when you lose your step. They will say "I told you so" and stay under their covers. They will call you insane. But to enjoy the rain you have to walk ahead.

When the rain grows harder, you will find yourself in the flood. The flood with strong current and flow. But you have to move forward. It is going to be extremely difficult, but the more you push, the more you will enjoy it, because there is no more fun that doing what you like doing.

And when you struggle hard doing what you like to do, even nature will help you out. And finally you will reach the shore, from where you can look back at the people on the other side, the ones who laughed at you, staring at you and exclaiming, "He did it!" And you can laugh then, because when they could do it, you just did it!

But that is not all, for you have just crossed a lake. And now you are standing still. Ahead of you is a river, ahead of which is a sea, further is an ocean, further a planet, the solar system, the galaxy, the whole universe for you to cross. But it doesn't matter. Because you are not going to stop.

It is going to be more difficult. It is going to be tougher. But it is going to be fine. Because the universe wants you to do it. He who dares to do the new is the one who shall make a change. So all you have to do is run and jump, because my friend, there will come a time when you will look back at all the hurdles you have crossed, and you will say to your grandchild, "I had an umbrella once! I threw it away, and it made all the difference."

For it is better to be insane in an imperfectly sane world.

Thank you Robert Frost, William Ernest Henley, Paulo Coelho and Mother Nature for making me realize this.

The Wait - An old song of mine

I was just going through some of my old mails when I came across this poem that I had written for someone who meant a lot to me. Well, presently, now that I am blissfully with the presence of a very interesting person in my life, whose role in my life  is still not certain, let me dedicate this old song of mine to all lovers out there, who wait for a response from their loved ones. (I have edited it, because the original was really crappy!)

The wait

And there in the night

Moonless as I see

I waited for that I felt in thee

And I walk alone

Alone, along the beach

Wishing for your hand to hold mine

Love me you did never say

And I waited for your words

Waited for you to say

Blind, are you, to not see

Or is it another act

For you to hide what you feel from me?

The night, still moonless

You were hidden with the moon

Hearing my heart beat for you

On the sand that I sit

The breeze over me, your love wandering

I waited for you

You never came

Never told me what you felt

Not the ones from your heart

You never told

What your heart whispered to you

What is it that I’m to you

And over the dark sky so starless

I see you dance, I see you smile

And I waited for your descend

I waited and I waited

Under the moonless sky, along the shore

And I will wait, for lives to come

Along the roads of history

I had been planning to go out for months, ever since a dear friend from my office had asked me to go alone to a place I had never visited before. And when I rode my friend's bike to the Cochin Boat Jetty to take a boat to Mattancherry, I had two intentions in my mind. One was to fulfill my promise to her and myself as a writer, by visiting a place I knew less of, and secondly, to find a location for the short-film I am trying to make.

Frankly, Sundays aren't good for a boat ride, especially if it is mid-June and a lot wet. Only the regular travelers, and some occasional couples who would sit in the back-end of the boat, would be there. And I was one among them, looking forward for a nice walk despite the rain.

The people in the boat were silent. The couples were trying to make-out. I was reading midnight's children. Not the kind of fun ride I expected, but when you choose to go alone to an unknown place, this is all that you should expect.

I reached Mattancherry Boat Jetty in just 15-20 minutes, and from there I started walking. The famous Mattancherry Palace (aka the Dutch Palace) was the closest, so I walked to that ancient place. (Now I am not a photographer, or they wouldn't let us take pics. But since I am not a historian or a traveler, I am just adding the pics from Google, while I narrate about my day)

Image Courtesy: keralatourism.org

What was most captivating about the palace, apart from the historical data that they have put in all the rooms and the amazing displays of our ancestors who ruled us, was the mural paintings that was there in different rooms. What made me sad was that they have started to fade, thanks to the 'proper' way of taking care of priceless art. But nevertheless, it was beautiful. Inside the palace, one could feel the depth of the people who once stayed there. Now it is museum. Once people lived there, ruled us from there. Of all the museums I have gone to, I believe this could make me feel something deep. Maybe perhaps the souls of the ages were still wandering, watching me as I astonishingly looked at their portraits and photos.

From there I walked to the Jewish Synagogue, and to reach there, I took the long and amazing route of the infamous Jewish Street, the street that sells numerous artifacts, goods, handicrafts, and more. There were many spices shop that sold genuine and amazing spices too. Coffee shops with aromatic coffee that one could smell even from outside. Man, that road alone is a perfect place for all the senses of mankind.

Image Courtesy: smspostcard2.blogspot.com

The Jewish Synagogue is truly one of its kinds. I first met a lady, who was truly frustrated with people with cameras, and I was guided first to a room that the history of the Jewish Synagogue. Later, I was guided to the inside of the Synagogue, which was small and yet breathtaking. Inside I didn't feel God, but peace was a certain emotion that I experienced (peace is not an emotion, but I felt it there, so let me call it an emotion now).

Image Courtesy: wikimedia.org

From there I walked ahead to the Jewish Cemetery, and I couldn't go in, because the gatekeeper had gone home. So I walked back, and reached the Crafters, a cafe at the junction that diverts to the synagogue and Police museum. I had a Chicken Cutlet and Coffee from there, having which I realized that I have just found a location for ANOTHER story of mine.

I walked back to see many arts shop, where they sold paintings of artists. People would just go in and look and leave, while I saw the efforts the artists took in those breathtaking paintings. They even had a painting that looked as if it was not a painting, but a photo. I wish if I could buy one particular painting from there, which showed lust at its peak.

I took the boat back to Marine Drive, and I was feeling happy. I met many people, Jews, Artists, shop keepers. I feel in love with the street. One day I will go back there, but I will make sure that it is not just  a mere visit, but I will be taking a full-scale movie there, just to capture the beauty of the roads of history, where people doesn't fight, and all you can feel is peace and harmony.

The Phoenix Within

Hey everyone!

Quite long, huh? Well, one of my stories got published in the April edition of Tinkle Magazine. I have got them here. Feel free to read and give me your opinion.