The Reflection

At times we simply don't ask the right questions...

We do not reflect on 'what to ask'. We do not explore the answers that we already have. We do not try to understand the trend, the philosophy, the concept... We simply forge ahead and ask others for a solution to a situation we are facing...

The answers, in a very high likelihood are going to be incomplete... and confusing...

The most important thing to realize is that the 'right' answers are within us... We have them all... All that is needed is 'reflection'... 

We need to incubate the problem... Live with it for some time... Explore the landscape... The answers will emerge - and that too, right within our reach...

Food for growth

Aarushi, as of today, is very choosy about food. She has a few favorites and tries to stick with them. It is rare that she would herself try out a new taste. Both, Surya and I, are reasonably concerned about it. We wish her to take a healthy diet, rich in all nutrients, so that she grows well. Even things that don't taste absolutely fabulous are nutrient rich at times. For them the taste has to be foregone.
And this is applicable to so much beyond food too... At times, God offers us experiences that we do not like, but we have to experience them. Some encounters that are not as sweet or as spicy as we would wish them to be, but if our Father believes that we should still have them, then the reason has to be some learning that He wishes us to take away.
We grow as healthier human beings only when we accept what the Father offers graciously and happily. When we positively try to absorb the right nutrients, the right learning, from the food for thought that He offers us.
In fact, many a times, we simply reject 'food for thought' and complain about not getting what we 'desired'. 
There is nothing better than a varied diet, full of all nutrients, so that a need for quick-fixes - the 'satsangs' and 'counselling/ therapy sessions' - like iron and calcium tablets - doesn't arise... 

Gratitude

I and a friend were taking an evening stroll while Aarushi and his daughter were playing near us and he shared a  very interesting way to present the 'attitude of gratitude' concept. I felt like sharing it here.


"Attitude of Gratitude makes all the difference in what we are finally blessed with. Lets look at the example of a child. If we bring a gift for him, a cheap one, and he plays with it joyously and thanks you for thinking about him when he was not in front of you, then the next time you will be pleased to bring a bigger gift. If however, the child simply throws it away and says - this is not worth playing, that he wants something else etc., then you will not bring anything for him the next time, because you don't know if the child wanted it or not...


Similarly, we should thank God for whatever he offers us in life. Else we will only get presents when we go the shopping ourselves - that is do the hard work. There will be no pleasant surprises where we see His considerate nature."


And if I bring it closer to my life, I realize that the same happens when it comes to bringing gifts for friends and family. If the person in front of us doesn't accept what we bring for him or her, we may not bring anything for the same person again - even if it is our best friend. If on the other hand, the person thanks us for what we brought, we will be willing to even ask him / her, the next time we are going somewhere, if he/ she desires something.


The key then is to accept whatever cards have been dealt to us gracefully and with gratitude... It may not be long when He asks you what you wish before presenting you a gift... 


I am reminded of a beautiful SMS that another friend shared with me, "Someone asked God, जब नसीब में पहले ही सब लिख दिया है तो दुआ क्यों करें? (If everything is written as destiny, then why wish?), to which God replied, हो सकता है मैंने नसीब में लिखा हो, (It might be that I have written) "As you wish!""


I realize that this would happen when we have accepted whatever He has given us in our नसीब (luck/ destiny). And this also takes me to The Secret. But that's another post :-)...