The Art of Life... as told by a Bawarchi!
Somebody asked me… why I am not writing blog at regular interval these days… commenting that generally I am a voracious writer of travelogues… and that I have just been back from Turkey… so it is but expected that I write blogs.
Here is the answer...
Last few days had been tough… huge workload, colleagues on yearly leave, and petty office politics depressed me… I faced tough questions… what do I do over here… is it for higher salaries that I get for staying here… am I seeking compensation for staying away from my family… or I stay here for some larger mission, for larger human experience.
I had been trying to come out of depression, but to no avail… till I woke up one day and asked for help from Lord Shiva… my God. I know that he never refuses me… if at all he does… then soon he makes it apparent as to why he did it… he does it for larger good. It’s a personal bond between him and me.
I started that day on a depressed note, no help coming my way… it was another day of huge workload… and I was slogging alone… well almost, because one of my subordinates helped me… going beyond his official duties… I almost felt as if I was using him.
Help… sometimes… come from places, which are unusual.
In the evening, while cleaning my closet… I stumbled upon a DVD of an old Hindi Movie “Bawarchi”… a light comedy directed by prodigious Hrishikesh Mukherji… the film tells the story of a squabbling family… whose members suspect each other… and how the family changes with the arrival of a Bawarchi (a Cook). The film has strong philosophical connotations… value of family bonds…the need to search happiness in small day to day events… of loving selflessly.
While watching Bawarchi, I remembered that it has been ages since I have called my brothers… I called them up… talked with them for 10-15 minutes… it was a soothing experience. Family bonds are forever… they are always there for you… always… you just need to reach out to them… they extend their hands to you.
Something happened within me… it was time to bounce back… I walked down to the room of my subordinate, who had been helping me in these tough times… I asked if he can offer me a tea… sipping tea along with him… I told him… that I really appreciate what he had been doing for me… and that I may not do anything for him in return… but would always remember his gesture… he smiled and said… Sir, it’s my pleasure working with you, I have always seen you working very hard and you have always inspired me for doing that extra bit… I smiled back… beyond the office politics and game of one-upmanship… honesty pays.
While walking out of his room… I started whistling… I hadn’t whistled for last few months… the psychological stresses had made me forget the art of whistling. It was time to sit down with myself and talk with myself… I needed to understand that my detractors are essentially not bad people… but that they have their own ways of thinking and approach issues… the moment I accept those differences… managing my relations with them becomes easier.
Life is easier than we think it is… it is as simple or as difficult… as we assume it to be…. often problems to some solution are very simple. And Bawarchi told me that it really is…
Here is the answer...
Last few days had been tough… huge workload, colleagues on yearly leave, and petty office politics depressed me… I faced tough questions… what do I do over here… is it for higher salaries that I get for staying here… am I seeking compensation for staying away from my family… or I stay here for some larger mission, for larger human experience.
I had been trying to come out of depression, but to no avail… till I woke up one day and asked for help from Lord Shiva… my God. I know that he never refuses me… if at all he does… then soon he makes it apparent as to why he did it… he does it for larger good. It’s a personal bond between him and me.
I started that day on a depressed note, no help coming my way… it was another day of huge workload… and I was slogging alone… well almost, because one of my subordinates helped me… going beyond his official duties… I almost felt as if I was using him.
Help… sometimes… come from places, which are unusual.
In the evening, while cleaning my closet… I stumbled upon a DVD of an old Hindi Movie “Bawarchi”… a light comedy directed by prodigious Hrishikesh Mukherji… the film tells the story of a squabbling family… whose members suspect each other… and how the family changes with the arrival of a Bawarchi (a Cook). The film has strong philosophical connotations… value of family bonds…the need to search happiness in small day to day events… of loving selflessly.
While watching Bawarchi, I remembered that it has been ages since I have called my brothers… I called them up… talked with them for 10-15 minutes… it was a soothing experience. Family bonds are forever… they are always there for you… always… you just need to reach out to them… they extend their hands to you.
Something happened within me… it was time to bounce back… I walked down to the room of my subordinate, who had been helping me in these tough times… I asked if he can offer me a tea… sipping tea along with him… I told him… that I really appreciate what he had been doing for me… and that I may not do anything for him in return… but would always remember his gesture… he smiled and said… Sir, it’s my pleasure working with you, I have always seen you working very hard and you have always inspired me for doing that extra bit… I smiled back… beyond the office politics and game of one-upmanship… honesty pays.
While walking out of his room… I started whistling… I hadn’t whistled for last few months… the psychological stresses had made me forget the art of whistling. It was time to sit down with myself and talk with myself… I needed to understand that my detractors are essentially not bad people… but that they have their own ways of thinking and approach issues… the moment I accept those differences… managing my relations with them becomes easier.
Life is easier than we think it is… it is as simple or as difficult… as we assume it to be…. often problems to some solution are very simple. And Bawarchi told me that it really is…
1 comment:
"Family" is a very extensive term often limited to blood ties as per general perception.
Whereas, Swami Vivekanand termed family as "Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam" meaning "The entire earth is a family".
Actually, family includes each and every person .... could be a friend, colleague, peer ..... whose life goals are aligned with your's and affection/help is given unconditionally.
And Bawarchi has captured this essence beautifully!!!
Nice Blog!
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