the "broken" cup

I recently walked along a path that had "glowing" lights running along the side. The light they gave off just enough to catch the trail but not enough to light the whole path. So while there was another glow in the distance, I had to go through the dark path to get to it.  Now isn't life and its journey sometimes like that? We would wish for a "floodlight" that would illuminate the whole path and yet sometimes we are left in the dark with just a soft glow ahead. We make it there through the darkness and then in the distance there is another one, glowing softly.  Perhaps we will not all "shine" with the same intensity, some of us may just glow along the trail. That is not to say that we cannot one day shine, but that is altogether a different story for another time. The point here is, may we continue to glow and mark the path for even the smallest of light can dispel the darkness around it. 

Broken. Crushed. Shattered. Smashed. Not the very best words to add value, in fact they will "devalue" anything that is associated with it. Something broken, crushed, shattered or smashed is thrown away, no longer valued or treasured. What more can we expect from broken things? Why waste our efforts on them? Get a new one. My broken cup has done its service, it's now time to move on. But then, in every "brokenness" is also an opportunity for restoration (a not-easy process). Yes, the flawless perfection will not be achieved again. The cracks can be healed but the lines will probably show, the scars may not altogether go away.  It will probably be a little harder to appreciate the "restored" look in comparison to the "perfect ones."  It's very sight will remind of the broken state that it was in. It will be a little more harder, a little more trying to keep things together, a little more effort to overlook the scars and to consider it ...

There is a “level” kind of thinking where we prioritize, which in its own right gives guidance and has its significance. A list is made, one is held higher than the other—more important, less important. However, it is quite possible that when prioritized on a scale of importance there is an implied corresponding degree (higher or lower) on the emphasis for excellence with the levels.  For instance, a task on a higher level seems to demands “better” efforts than one on a lower level. In other words, the effort may range from “just” get it done to pay “special” attention.  The proposal is that, a difference in the degree of importance among the variety of tasks, does not necessarily imply a difference in the “nature” of effort (or for that matter attitude) in carrying out a particular task. No “sloppy jobs” just because the task was deemed low on the priority scale. This thought arises from an attempt to see things in relationship with each other – a centre around which ev...

In high school I never ever participated during the sports week until I was in the tenth standard. So why did I sign up in the tenth standard? I signed up because my best friend said we should at least have the story to tell; in hindsight a story that is probably more colourful than the actual experience. So we joined our team, signed up for the marching team of our respective teams and got ready to put up a BIG fight.   We soon found out we would be competing with the bigger boys. What does that mean? Our school had this practice of categorizing us based on our weight and height. Category A was the tallest and heaviest ones, and Category B were their younger brothers that they could push around in a game. Well, you guessed it, me and my friend Category B playing against Category A.  As they say, "the spirit is willing but the flesh is weak" we found ourselves in high spirits but in want of loads of stamina. We also happened to be assi...

The headphone is a piece of modern marvel, or at least that's the way I see it. Miniature speakers ever ready to "sound off" and almost part of everyone's accessory.  I am not a very regular walker. My passion to walk does not meet the action plan charted but then I have enjoyed the "many" few taken. The headphone has been a faithful companion on such walks channeling music for an almost idyllic walk and at other times challenging the pace to be picked up. It is almost a common sight to see people plugged in whether they be walking like me, taking a ride, waiting for someone or even sitting with someone.  However, for all its credits, it can isolate a person from the "world" around him. As much as I celebrate its ability to give me my private space and cheer me, I am wary of its ability to make me deaf to the bigger world around. The trail I walk has trees that rise tall and in those trees are birds. Birds calling out as the sun rises and its ...

(on the occasion of a man humiliated and condemned) Yesterday marked a black day in the history of humanity. It will probably not be given the weight of leaving an imprint in the larger history but it will be forever one in my memory. And today is my day of lament for we have shown that we are no better than the “other,” no different from the “other.” We have rushed to the aid of justice and destroyed its very ideal in the process. We have “delivered” justice but within the prejudices of our "assumptions" and "affiliations." What if he was "one of us"? Would we seek the “same” justice? What have we achieved today? That at the very core of us lies a “barbarism” that can be unleashed fed by the fuels of our own rash actions though we could well pass off as sensible and civilized people. I mourn this day, not because I will condemn whatever “wrong” has been committed but more so because of the “wrongs” we have done without flinching, without remorse, without...