BAU ;-)

He called me around 10. I wasnt expecting him to phone me at that hour especially when he would have been at college and I at work. Before anything else I asked him - Are you okay?

It was a bit unusual to receive his call, so I wanted to confirm if things were okay with him. He said smilingly - Ya Ya bhaiya, I just read your thought on Divine Souls group so felt like talking to you.

It was BAU...we both talking and expressing our mixed emotions. I guess phone call went for half an hour or so before we ended the call.

It always has been a pleasure to hear his voice and inspirational thoughts. I went back to the days when he too was in Bangalore and we shared a joyous time together. Then he went to Delhi for his studies and I received his call that day. That day I had contributed for 'Thought of the day' series on Divine Souls group, possibly he would have read my name and called me up. It was a pleasure again to hear him.

Day went as it does normally. While on way back I was again remembering the thoughts that he shared on the phone call that day. Also was appreciating how he connected to my name on the thought...why wont he? The thought itself was so good that anyone would have picked up his phone and called some one important in his life. The thought went something like - If you had only half an hour left in your life and one phone call to make, whom would you call? And why are you waiting? This thought is one of my favorites, and perhaps that's why I shared it with all those on the group. Reminds me not to take time for granted, each moment is precious...and should be used very judicially. Good that he called. And all of a sudden my thoughts went around - Oh ! he called me after reading that thought...but I myself did not phone anyone. Before wasting another second, I called some one whom I felt I should be hearing once again.

When I look at myself, such incidents keep happening now and then. I keep talking loud when I see you around..but at times I do fall short of what ever I myself have spoken. Maalik, bless that I follow your guidelines. Rightly did I hear that devotion is a path of selfishness. It has taken a while to understand the meaning, that before anyone else my soul needs to be cleansed. If talks give reminders to others very well but talks would be worthwhile only if I am able to follow. I remember George Ji sharing other day - Irony is that we talk about God, we don't talk to God ! May the connection between You and me keeps getting strengthened, rest is BAU ;-)

Humane Touch

“Sunil, you know Matt is really happy with the progress. And I have some surprise for you but I won’t tell you now.When I come down to see Matt, I will speak to you“.
Natasha, my Manager here at client site mentioned this to me couple of days ago. Often as it happens in corporate world, whenever a person receives an appreciation from someone, there follows a chain of appreciation emails. Here at my work place, there’s an appreciation certificate that is given to people for their extraordinary accomplishments. I guess Natasha was looking for Matt, her Manager, to accompany her when she would present this appreciation certificate to me.
Natasha turned at my desk couple of hours later. However she came alone – possibly Matt wasn’t around. And she started – “Sunil, It’s been wonderful working with you. Matt and I both are happy with the commitment you have shown for the project. And to appreciate that I have brought this for you ...”
I smiled but I couldn’t carry that smile for long when I heard ‘...Coffee vouchers” from her. She handed over those coffee vouchers to me and I thanked her with a fake smile. I was taken aback as this was something I hadn’t expected. Natasha sensed that something had gone wrong but then she asked me again – “Is everything alright? Aren’t you excited?” Just to make sure that I don’t disappoint her, I added – “Of course I am and thanks for the coffee vouchers, we’ll use them when complete team joins for coffee “Perhaps by this dialogue I was trying to give an impression that I am a team player but deep inside I knew I had missed this moment’s enjoyment by some self centered thoughts.
Natasha went away and left me in thoughts, I should have enjoyed that compliment but it was her who enjoyed that more. She did appreciate the work and in her own special way also acknowledged my efforts. It took a while before I forgave myself; for not valuing her humane touch that she gave by offering me something that I am fond of.
Also a reminder from Babaji reached my eyes yesterday; “the most important things in our lives are not things.” However it seems that it’s a life time’s effort to understand and live this reminder. But nevertheless, I was happy today after talking to Patrick.
Patrick, another colleague at client site, said a similar thing today – “Sunil, you are doing a good job”. And I smiled as I remembered the incident that I had had with Natasha. “Are you serious Patrick?” I asked with a smile. Patrick nodded his head in Yes. And I smiled again and said – “Thank you”.
Reason for my smile wasn’t that someone had appreciated my work but was that through this smile I was rewarding myself for not missing the beauty of present moment and also for acknowledging this humane touch.

4 mins

I was sitting with saints after sangat got over for today. I did realize in between that time for my bus' departure was getting closer. However thinking that saints are going to drop me in their car to the bus stop I took a loose stand, and kept enjoying the chit chat that was going. Just some time before the departure I got up and got into saint's car. Saint mentioned that he cannot drop me to the bus station for some reasons however he would happy to drop me at a convenient point from where on I can continue traveling to Bus Station.

I had already got late, and had no option other than following what saint had to say. I reached Bus Station but a little late. I had got late by 4 mins. I checked the next bus' timings. The one where I could fit in was 4 hours from then. I really regretted getting late by just 4 mins which made me wait for 4 hours. A sheer wastage of time.

At the same time, I remembered my friends, my dear ones who have heard about the message but for some reasons, may be not fully convinced are ready to risk their futures for some chit chats that keep them busy at present. 4 mins delays caused 4 hours wait time. This is not with the life though. I knew next bus would be there after 4 hours and will have seat vacant for me. But in life, who knows when the breaths stop, and when is the next bus that would take them along...

Babaji, bless that your message gets heard and understood. May people understand that each 4 minutes slot, rather each millisecond counts. Let all understand that these chit chats wont have end, at one moment they all would have to rise and walk for the destination.

When blessings are being seeked for others, I cannot stand apart. May I also understand your message in real spirit. Let me also not forget that my life too comprises of these small small moments which I keep on wasting for some reason or the other.