War on sound

This very sleepy sunday morning here in Mumbai, month 2 of 2010, I lay awake in bed little before sunrise.
With mostly a blank mind, I ended up just trying to absorb the many sounds of a city waking up. Of the house waking up. Of life waking up. To a new day.
The birds, the milkman, cars starting up, the sound of headlights as they made strange shadows on windows.
The sound of breathing. Doors opening and doors shutting.
A friendly dog barking. Newspapers rustling.
In a few hours - the peace and the quiet of this amazing soundfest will be shattered by honking cars, traffic jams, a zillion everyday worries and rif raf.
Not yet though.
It is incredibly special to me, the serenity of these few fleeting minutes.
It is now, in the slience of this dark room, I can hear the voice of my heart inside my head.
The sound of optimism, of wonder, of resolve and hope. Of prayer and desire.
To make things work, to be a better person, to grow and learn. To be present.
Slowly - one heartbeat at a time.
This early morning slience to me- is Gods song.
And on days when I hear it and can listen to it - I am blessed with extraordinary peace in a much ordinary existence.
Thank God I have enough.

Time Travel

I love travelling.
I love the sense of adventure and spirit that an unknown place infuses in my blood.
I love to set my alarm in a new city, wake up and walk out armed with the 4 S's .. sneakers, sunblock, Sunglasses and smiles.
I make one big trip a year and when I am lucky, more than one.
I've been more lucky than less lucky.
But as the first month of the year comes to an end. I've had an interesting revelation.
That its true, like all the books and philosophers say - the greatest journey one can make sometimes, is go the distance between two people.
Its takes a lifetime in some cases.
And WIP in others.
But it can be the most interesting mammoth of an adventure you've ever embarked on.
This year - I am learning so many new things about my dearest friends.
About how brave some of them are battling with the hand that life has dealt them, in case of some others - how well they write... how some of those I hold closest to me deal happily and take on the challenges that life and our friendship poses. How distance can be bridged in just one warm phonecall. Or even a text message. How years of indecision and cynicsm can evaporate with just one kind gesture. Of how people much older than me, are actually far more progressive than me in the way they approach sometimes. About faith, resilience and hope.
The Journey...that bridges the gap between two people, one step, one dinner, one phone, one hug, one tear, one laugh one email, one smile at a time.
So what are you waiting for ?!
Screw the sunblock and let the yellow beams soak you silly.
Reach out. Hug someone. Kiss someone. Miss someone.
Have you said it ?
I love you.
I cant live without you.
You make my world a better place.
You make me smile.
Thank god for you.
Wanna grab a cup of coffee ?
How are you doing ?
Life is happening - Right here. Right now.
So walk the distance, take that step and be a happy traveller.
Today :)