I was told once that we make a lot of special days: Birthdays, Anniversaries, Valentine Day, New Year’s Eve, etc. We expect a little too much these days, we want things to turn around from how they are, and suddenly become utopian, we want surprises, we want perfect days. All this, all the while sets us up for some kind of disappointment at the end of the day. Sometimes, the foreboding thought that expectations will not be met is enough to induce sadness.
Inspite of a lot of rationalization and tons of realistic expectations, I have felt the agonies of these days. Each time, I have been bemused at my own thoughts of these days, and how ironically, I have made them far worse with these overwhelming thoughts, instead of just having fun.
Here’s to having fun through the year, and without expectations, putting in more personal effort on these days instead, and making them memorable, for all the good reasons. Its my friend’s birthday today, and I want him to have the best of times.
Example:
Jules: We happy? ….. Vincent!! we happy?
Vincent: Yeah, we happy.
Hey! This reminded me of a beautiful thought from Tagore that a friend had written down for me. It goes –
“My offerings are not for the temple at the end of the road, but for the wayside shrines that surprise me at every bend.” (Gems from Tagore)
So, yes,it is not specially designated days, but those everyday, life-is-beautiful moments that capture the magic of living…like when you are walking all alone, and smile to yourself for no reason at all, you have seen a ‘wayside shrine”…
Happy Birthday to your friend!
Am tempted to type in another quote –
Earth’s crammed with heaven,
And every common bush afire with God.
But only he who sees takes off his shoes.
(Far Pavilions)
One of the most relevant and applicable blogs as far as i am concerned….
ofcourse for selfish reasons….
great post man….
Yay!
Indian philosophy comes in handy. Sthithapragnatva….Vairagya….stuff that used to sound too impractical all of a sudden starts making sense. So much sense that it is custom made for us!
The bible isn’t without its use either. ‘The path of the righteous man is beset on all sides by the inequities of the selfish and the tyranny of evil men’ – Jules.