The Gift

In some ways the inspiration for my thoughts comes through Christmas - a time traditionally meant to meet and reconcile with one another symbolized by the exchange of gifts.

In the words of the presenter from the History channel - the birth of Christ was a gift to mankind - to a people who were the most undeserved of such a gift, yet at the same time the most in need of it. In some ways it indeed was the best kind of gift that one could ever receive - since it was given freely, without any strings attached; and without expecting anything in return.

The Christmas spirit has held sway over both happy and sad times - even in the midst of horror and war, as epitomized by the Christmas Truce on December 25, 1914 when the German, French and British troops lay down their arms, got out from their trenches and saw each other as they really were..... not as an evil enemy but just as a person doing a job, and deserving a hug instead of hate.

However nowadays when one reads the daily paper regarding Christmas (Holiday shopping in 'politically nutty diplomatic' USA) shopping you will come across words as 'stress, credit card overdrafts, holiday loans' - one would wonder if this was indeed a 'happy' season. Little by little we obliterate the simple joys of life by introducing unimportant requirements on our already overburdened lifestyle.

But in the heart of hearts - one factor remains constant..... or at least I hope it does. That is the joy of giving, which far surpasses the joy of receiving. In a way it would seem that God's present to us gave him great joy. I have never quite understood this concept - logically thought about, it would seem that you win even though you lose - (loss in terms of monies, time spent etc.) maybe this is and will remain one of those mysteries which makes our life on this Earth something to cherish, and every gift - no matter in what form, size or thought will serve, each in its own intimate way to provide a continuance of joy and happiness in each of our lives

An Xmas thought

This one is credited to Fr. Peter Nessetta from the George Mason Catholic Campus ministry - one of the few guys I admire for his talent for capturing the thoughts of people.

' whilst walking down the aisle in the store I looked upon an X'mas card with this message

Outside
" Sweetheart, you are the answer to all my prayers"

Inside
" You are certainly not what I had prayed for;
But apparently, you are the answer "
'

A Leap of Faith....

Inside it is cramped, and i find myself sitting on the bare floor looking around in anticipation - with quite a few butterlies merrily flying around in my stomach. Focus dude.... this definitely ain't the time to act chicken - remember this was all and all your doing from beginning right till now.
I walk, nah this isnt exactly walking but more like a waddle like a duck towards the exit - exit of what - well duh.... entrance into a vast emptiness. I am huddled in a small propeller plane, climbing rapidly to 14000 feet all ready to... in simple terms... JUMP... or if you would like to be all prim and proper have my first skydive.
At the door which is all propped open and ready i gasp, deeply inhaling the sweet, pure air at these lofty heights. I look around, holding the door with all my strength, my mind full of uncertainity. The instructor is strapped on to me from behind and is shouting instructions - they all seem to whizz past me without any meaning - the only tangible sound being the roar of the propeller.

Oddly enough this is the time i revel in what is going to happen - with my legs slowly being reduced to jelly at the same time. I shut all thoughts from my mind - determined that if it my destiny so be it: have done my background research - statistics are stacked against me to survive this fall; i have a more likely chance of dying in a road accident along Washington DC's notorious beltway rather than from a skydive - and come to think of it - if i HAVE to die, what would be cooler eh!! :-)
of course my beloved parents have to live through this insanity; i did the mistake of keeping them informed of my decision, comparing the dive to a feather floating gently down in a blue sky - my mum saw it a as rock hurtling towards earth.... the rest is consigned to the annals of history.

Go - No Go....... it was most definitely GO FLIGHT.... as we rocked - once, twice and took the plunge - diving headfirst into what I would most definitely consider an experience of a lifetime - it was a LEAP OF FAITH.

The Road not Taken

In some ways I think i am coming around full circle - adding to my blog another of the few poems which I love to read ever so often - this one a classic by Robert Frost

Two roads diverged in a yellow wood

And sorry I could not travel both

And be one traveler, long I stood	

And looked down one as far as I could	

To where it bent in the undergrowth;	       

Then took the other, as just as fair,
And having perhaps the better claim,
Because it was grassy and wanted wear;
Though as for that the passing there
Had worn them really about the same,

And both that morning equally lay
In leaves no step had trodden black.
Oh, I kept the first for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads on to way,
I doubted if I should ever come back.

I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.