The Co"incidence!"

Recently at my college there was something called a finishing school happened to me. During the three days session of the finishing school, I and my classmates learnt/realised a whole new version of ourselves. At first we were all sceptical about the sessions because we thought they might be boring, illogical, time wasting, and money scavenging sessions. But it was nice to have a literate, sound minded person to handle us. 

She gave lots of activities, new horizons of thoughts and about life. We came to know about lots of psychological terms, tests, studies, self improvement techniques, conflicts, gratitude, anger management, etc. After the last day of the session she ended with a thought provoking thing for us to know about gratitude. She mentioned we all must be thankful to everyone who made it possible that we got everything we wish for. We must not take it for granted instead appreciate it. We must be thankful for getting tank full water at our houses where there is still women who buy water for 7 rupees per bucket. We must be thankful for having a roof above us where there are people who are unable to have 3 meals daily. She also said when we visit an orphanage or meet a disabled persons, our way of thinking about life can change. 

So, today I had to take a bus to go to college. I woke up early, brushed my teeth in cartoon motion, and changed my clothes. I was half-awake and half-sleepy like a sloth. My brother was sleeping happily. I had to bring a great amount of cheers like “You can do it!” “Come on!” “It’s only a walk towards the bus stop, catch a bus and walk again towards the college where you have to cross 3 roads. So, simple” Yet that much complicated it is. Then, it went on like “Okay first eat something and go! You don’t want to embarrass yourself by fainting on the road!” 

I stepped outside the house by 6:00 A.M. The weather was horribly cold. I was walking and noticed the sky was getting darker. “Oh My God. What if it rains today? I don’t even have an umbrella with me. You dumb brain why can’t you remind me about the umbrella like you reminded me the food” I was in such a state I was scolding myself for being dumb and forgetful. I was waiting for the bus for a long time. I even caught cold. I was thinking why I am suffering so much? Then finally I got a bus luckily less crowded. 

I took a ticket and sat on the only empty seat available on the bus. There were two passengers seated in front of me. At first I thought they were crazy then I recognised they were talking in sign language. Whoa! from weird actions to being curious to know what those hand movements meant. Well, what a coincidence within 24 hours of the session at college I met two deaf people who were really fascinating to watch the way they were conversing. Even I never had such a deep happiness and smile when I was talking with my dear ones. The way they were eagerly waiting and giving respect for each other’s reply was something we all need to learn. Even the deaf people are better at listening than some of us who can hear and knows how to respond properly. 

I don’t want to be mean, but in my life many people blabber but never felt the necessity to listen instead of blabbering so much. Maybe the person who is listening might also want to say something give them a chance to speak too. The lady at the session also mentioned that “Small minds talk about others, Average minds talk about events and Great minds talk about ideas” So, which one you belong to only you can know and maybe you can bring a change to yourself and become great minds. Even though I felt horrible about forgetting an umbrella I was totally immersed into the way the deaf people made me realise a point without even speaking but with their mere joyful actions.

Luckily it didn’t rain, too! Life is not 100% sad after all. We need to enjoy whatever life throws at us.

Festival special: Karthigai deepam

Today, most of the Tamilians celebrate Karthigai deepam i.e. festival of lights. My mom wasn’t that much into religious practices; she says god has to be prayed from within. But she never restricted me to lit a lamp or go to temples. 

When I was a school kid, I used to collect broken chalk pieces on the floor after last class of the day ends. Then carefully I put those tiny chalk pieces into my pencil box. I used to draw beautiful... okay somewhat creative murals on the floor of the porch at my home. These abstract yet wonderful patterns/drawings on floor are called as “Kolam” in Tamil Nadu. I always find tranquility whenever I do kolam. Traditionally, Kolam are made using rice flour so that it also acts as food to birds. And the patterns are also filled with different shades of contrasting colors.

The best part comes when the clay lamps a.k.a Vilaku are lit in the evening. I won’t say to lit a vilaku is an extremely difficult skill to acquire but the way it is lit is somewhat fulfills the soul with satisfaction. We had three lamps at house, i used to clean them properly with a wet cloth then use it. Adequate amount of oil is poured into the lamps and then a small amount of cotton is taken from the First aid box and rolled into wicks. The wicks are dipped into the oil and one end is kept ready to be lit.

I always insist my mom that only I will light the lamps. So, she turns the gas stove on, where the luminous blue flames arise. She lit the candle and gives it to me so that I don’t burn my hands. I keep the fire near the wick until the wick gets lit. Sometimes the November weather is cold so the wick doesn’t gets heated up soon and this used to test my patience but still if there is interest the level of patience increases.

Then we keep these lamps on the porch. I used to break a small piece from the broomstick and use it whenever to adjust the wick and have spare oil to pour over the lamps whenever I feel like the oil is less until i get tired and drowsy. I also enjoy the view of neighbor places filled with tiny specks of lights. So, that’s how I used to celebrate my karthigai deepam. 

Hope today is also awesome and happy karthigai deepam!!