Just Pondering Over 'PROMISES"

I came across a Friendship Card which said that 'he' would be there with 'her' no matter what came in Life. I'm reflecting on the fact that how life changes with time and those words, consoling words or should I say promising words, became nothing more than just lines of words. It doesn't mean that we didn't mean them when we said or gave those words. Somehow life takes us to the unexplored world which turns us to become different persons. Life goes on, people change, promises become empty words. 

I used to think it's better never to give such words to a friend or a lover because life takes us to a different world and such words could only hurt us, disappoint us, upset us when facing the fact that those words are not kept by the one who gave us. They just don't remember or they don't want to? But now I think it's always best to give the best at a moment, from our heart if we really mean it. When we couldn't keep it, blame it on LIFE ?. Its better to live at present. That's the best remedy for my disappointment over empty promises. 

'Peace in my Troubled Sea'

Many questions run in my head. They don’t stop, but keep running. Why am I still alive, when I could have been dead, many times? I am anxious, how am I to do with my life? Should I stop the fight? Or should I give another shot? The job, I have been studying for, worried me. We all are going to die one day, and on and after that day, what’s all these for? They ain’t going with us. It’s all futile. So, why fight the fight if they mean nothing to eternity? The qualifications, the certificates, even the most precious thing we held dear wouldn’t save us from that day. It feels so pointless. 

All these, because I lean on my own understanding, when Proverbs (3:5-6) tells us not to lean on our own understanding, but to trust in the Lord with all our heart, to acknowledge Him that He will make our path straight. There’s a soft voice telling me that there is a purpose, a reason behind every trouble, behind my life, a reason to live. I just don’t know the reason yet. The same voice tells me to keep going, and to cherish every moment I have been given pricelessly. There are people who beg for their lives to be saved, and there are people who beg to let go of their dear life, who don’t see the point of living another second. Life knocks me off my feet and there I am on my knees, beseeching Him to speak to me. And once again He let me see how He never left my side, through the valley of death, through life’s troubles; He carried me, through it all. He let me feel He is the ‘peace in my troubled sea’. I, once again see the pointlessness in worry about life, which is beyond my control but just to trust in Him.  “Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you” (Matt 6:33).  

As I Rove Through

I have been visiting villages of Andhra Pradesh and a few North East Karnataka villages for the past months (to be mentioned about 50+ villages). The more I visit the more I come to realize our differences. There are certain things which I admire about their habits and way of living, which I think it can strengthen our unity as brothers and sisters. At the same time there are certain things which bother me too. I don't know it’s only us who face the same situation or others too, there are few points I like to share from my experiences and observations.

1) They love and care for each other. They don't eat alone. They offer whatever they are eating to the person next to them or nearby, if even if they are strangers. 

2) They are kind. They always make time for others who need help. If they are asked, they are always ready and willing to help out and sacrifice their time. 

3) They always want to converse. Ranging from kids to old people, they would initiate conversation. The kids, especially love calling out "aka, aka" (which means 'sister'). They would follow and encircle you even if they don't get response. 

4) They stare a lot. Right in the face. They stop and stare. They would tell the person next to them to have a look at us (this happens especially among the mothers/women).

5) When they offer you food, you have to take them. It’s an honor to eat someone else's food. It’s some kind of appreciation for each other.

6) It’s a taboo to take certain items like 'salt', 'turmeric' and 'tamarind' in and out of the house at night. (I have no clue whether it’s religious or cultural taboo).

Wherever we go we are very much foreigners to them. They have no idea we are from the same country. I assume even after telling them that we are from Mizoram, they would still think that Mizoram is a foreign country. In our very own country , "which country are you from?" is the most frequent question we receive and "english, english" is the only passing comment among the villagers. In town, we are 'Chinese' and in metropolitan cities, we are 'Nepalis'. Face matters a lot. However, it’s about time our own country fellow men knew that India is rich in ethnicity, and has people of different looks. 

(Note: It doesn't mean I am generalizing the villagers of Andhra Pradesh, but I am just sharing my experiences)