An Inspiration

It was a holiday at college and my coaching institute today... It's Independence Day today. And like most of my countrymen, 15 August has come to mean as nothing more than a holiday to me. I grabbed this opportunity and took a well deserved break. After all, I had worked really hard for a test at the coaching yesterday and fared nicely in it. Like most of the people, I have been following Abhinav Bindra's news recently. And to say the least, I deeply appreciate the man's grit, focus and drive. I have been reading his blogs regularly, apart from Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam's site, whom I have always admired. I came across quite a few people crediting Mr. Abhinav's achievements to the fact that his father could afford to build a personal shooting range for him. Well, I always feel pity for such weaklings who say so. Are such people trying to cover up for their own inadequacies? Whatever... Many people have the resources, but only few have the focus and the discipline.
Something else that made me think was one of the statements that Abhinav Bindra made at an interview. When asked how he was feeling, about four days after his victory, his three words answer "It feels empty" surely seemed strange at first. But I think I can understand that feeling. Joy is in the actual journey itself and the destination then comes along as a pleasant surprise. Well, come to think of it, it's not a surprise exactly when you have slogged so hard for it. Reward, yes, that's the word. But after the "top of the world" feeling sinks in, the feeling which then comes in is "I did it. So, what next". So I think one must enjoy the journey well, even the challenges it throws up, knowing that it will soon be over. And only then one will be ready to receive and appreciate the gifts it would offer.

“In Pursuit of Happiness”

Searching high and low,
for something on which his heart can grow.
Running from pillar to post,
His frantic search just gets worse;
his search for bliss,
his pursuit of happiness…

Knee deep in his efforts,
he knows he’s inching closer to his ambitions.
Admired by many, envied by plenty.
Yet he wonders why true joy eludes him.
Why can’t he feel the ecstasy of being alive?
Why can’t he feel the divine connection?
He seems lost, lost in his way towards happiness.
Who is he?
He’s an expression of all, he’s an expression of me.

But something slowly changes.
He grows; he feels; he starts nurturing the divine.
Starts seeking joy in the ordinary.
He knows he’s unique.
He never was before, he never will be again.
He’s stardust, he’s golden.
He’s loved, he’s known.
Now it’s time for him to know himself.