Happiness: inside out

Impromptu it was. I asked two friends about their resolution for 2009. One wanted to go back to vegetarianism, as marriage kinda forced her to take up non-veg; my other friend knows the reality of life as he said, "Resolutions are meant to be broken. Why ask me?"

The questions came back to me. Well, I thought for a while. actually I started doing so even before they had asked me the same question back. I answered, to ensure I am happy inside out and not wait for someone else to make me happy. Wow!! Wat a liner! But, guess, it will take a lot of effort on my part to remain positive and keep myself calm. Now, there is atleast one challenge I am looking forward to in the new year eve. I am happy to have made a new year resolution for the first time in life and it will be an uphill task to abide by it. I wish myself and my readers a great new year ahead to achieve whatever we wish to, which of course, should not hurt any other person around in any manner... Cheers!

The sentimental check-in

The Taj Mahal Palace Hotel and Trident are finally opening. Now it is time to check-in! But who is checking in? Travel is low and it is Christmas, when most corporates don’t come to India anyway. Also, travel advisories from countries are keeping people at bay from an Indian holiday! Well, after the rescue operation was over and Kasab behind the bars, senior high-profile journalists of major dailies, etc. were flooring pages with articles about their sentiments attached to the TAJ. And, also with their wish to check in as soon as it opens.

I find it difficult to digest why you would need to display your affection for the hotels and reserve before hand by claiming so publicly. Though, that is a subjective preference, I must agree. Yet, I really don’t know what the other hotels must be thinking about it considering their opportunity is lost due to the terror attacks, as the conventional peak season is Nov-Mar, which is predicted to remain low this time around. On the other hand, people will be flocking into these two attacked hotels compensating them for the room night losses they had to bear apart from the interests crown would have to wine, dine and swing there to check out some obvious signs. Good for the Tata’s and Oberoi’s; occupancy is definitely going to be high in this season for the two.

Nevertheless, wish all the hotels a very Happy Christmas and New Year ahead.

Litmus of relationship

I through my experiences so far have understood that the real litmus of relationship is passed only when we travel and share a journey. It teaches a lot about a person we are traveling with, so much so that years of knowing a person turn hostile.

As we enter a journey phase, there are facets that unfolds; not only about the other person but also about self. A journey, thus, holds true for knowing ourselves and the abilities (with disabilities) we possess. A journey checks out our patience to arrive at a consensus, guide a group in a definite direction, take criticism and accept those, sync us with the natures of other people, accommodating capability, enduring the test to tackle arguable situations with calm and poise, respecting individuals, retaining self respect and dignity, …

The list is perpetual. The fact that we return back in our daily lives thus offers us an insight where we are comfortable, what is my boundary to the world around, to the people I interact, and so on. A few days back, a dear friend of mine recalled my take on journeys as an essence of identifying people sans their superficial existence. Friend’s account of reminding me, that I was correct (probably having gone through a reality check at the first place), gave a sense of relief. I was right when I had taken to journeys with people known or unknown. Today, I have been proven right again. So, I wish everybody “happy journeys” to know what they are and whom they are with. Travel a lot and make them into journeys and know people (friends, relatives, family, colleagues, accomplices, etc.) what they actually are as individual personality.

Why pick phone?

Of late, I have started doing this. I receive a call on cell to say I can’t talk now. Just today, I received a call when I was in the busy cafeteria. Knowing that I won’t be able to hear anything whatsoever I answered it and said politely that the space is very noisy and will revert later. But that is so not courteous! Why I need to pick up the phone at the first place then? This habit actually is a consequence of many calls I have experienced where my voice have been thwarted making me feel undesired, when I am the seeker. People would invariably pick up, say hi, give reason(s) why they can’t continue and hang up.

Why you need to do so? Especially if you are driving or so… I have realized this flaw is creeping into me, I will now onwards consciously look to answer a call completely unless that is an unsolicited marketing call.

I know the situation is subjective and some might feel that some calls are important than others, but I beg to differ. Only exception is FAMILY. They should be responded at once no matter how busy I might be to assure them “I’m there” and will reach them sooner.

I will ensure to pick the cell phone when I know ---- I can talk and complete the conversation in all respect.