The 24th Year of My Life

I know this will sound strange, jotting down one specific year of my life. But I realised that this one year, has been different in many ways and that it has been unique; in a way.

I remember going to sleep with a million calls from around the world [I kid you not]! I was in Kegalle when my birthday dawned and this is where the uniqueness of this year begins. I was in Kegalle, for the Training For Trusteeship [TFT] residential workshop. I had risen early that day, because as per the day's agenda, we were supposed to go see the sunrise. To date, I don't know how many actually did see the sunrise, but I can still clearly remember the wonderful scenery I saw that day. This could've been a sign that my year was going to be fresh each day and that I would have brighter days ahead! I can still remember the wonderful surprise the TFT organising committee threw for me at almost the last hour, catching me by complete surprise! [You guys did indeed surprise me & I am very thankful for that!] I guess the ice cream that night symbolised the sweetness my year would bring.

Sweet isn't really what I could say this year was for me. Bitter-sweet is more the term. I had many ups and downs, and the downs were some times a little too dangerously low for a person to handle. But looking back, I have realised that these 'down' moments have changed me completely, and that I view life in a different light.

If there's something I am really happy about my 24th, then it the fact that I got the chance to spend more time with nature, breaking away from the rat races of busy person's life! I guess I have learned how to look up at the clouds and disappear in to the land beyond [created in my head] or sit with the wind blowing in my face and being absorbed by it. I have mastered the art of walking through leech infested Sinharaja and not fainting, to being able to handle a few of them indeed crawling on me! [Special thanks to my de-leeching team for tolerating my screeches and paranoid moments, when the leech-going got too tough!] I have come to appreciate nature more this year, and I see that I have acquired a green eye thanks to all the nature lovers and environmentalists around me.

I have come to realise as much as stone people may view me to be, I still love my hugs! I have also come to not have a care in the world about what the 'mean' people would have to say, because, they won't have anything better to say! So if you're one of those people who's there to bring me down, know that I will not go down without a big fight!

I must admit that this year has had me thinking a lot. A lot in to the future as to what I want to do with the rest of my life and where I want to go. I must say, I have been fortunate enough to sway the way I would have never thought I would and be engaged in the work I am currently doing, because I would not have it any other way!

This year has taught me a few things about my friends and I now know who I can count on to be there for me. To the others, you will be a friend, but fear not, I shall not depend on you nor shall I put you in such a situation to embarrass you.

As life makes you walk a stray some times and walk a few miles, I have realised what in my life I have left behind that I miss. I miss the dramatic action that comes in momentarily in-acting another person's life to forgetting the worries of life and immersing myself in music and dance. I know I can only make it a part of my life from now, to make it more melodious and colourful, and it will not play a major role any more. I have learned to prioritise big time.

This year comes to an end, in a few hours as I write this. But ironically, the last significant memory of this year will again be TFT and that being the one which most recently concluded in Anuradhapura. I realised that change and volunteering/helping out will always play a major part in my life, no matter where I go. I am glad for the few shades I got darker, because I was able to have an amazing time, during the brief three days I spent.

I wish to give a big shout out to all that have stuck with me during this year, even when I wasn't the most easy person to get along with. For those who encouraged me and got me to where I am today. Last but not least, I want to apologise to anyone I may have unintentionally hurt along my way this year. I am really sorry.

So cheers to my 24th year of life and hoping to have an eventful 25th or as I am told a quarter century [some believe I will live to see a 100!]

Thank you!

Moods of Change

Who knew you had moods?
Changing ever so often,
Within a few seconds.
Spontaneous,
Unpredictable.

You showed me with your moods,
Blues, greys, yellows, reds and oranges
Who knew you would change,
Have many feelings to show?

I had not a say,
No option.
You changed, like the clouds in the sky,
Like the setting sun.

Ultimate Bliss

Peace,

Is when the clouds form above me,
Alive with bright yellows, oranges & red,
While I sit on a tank's bunt,
With the wind blowing.
Blowing, strong enough to sweep me off my feet,
To the distant rainbows yonder.

Freedom, is when the calf runs around the meadow,
Unaware of any dangers that await,
Lurking in the bushes at the edge.

Bliss is when I know,
Sitting there with the wind in my hair,
There are no worries,
Besides rooting my feet as such
That I don't blow away.

Arming Children with Guns

Yes, you read that right. Arming children with guns. I bet you are imagining children carrying large, 'bulky' things or maybe even child soldiers! As real as that may be, I am not referring to 'this' arming of children.

What I am referring to it the toy guns that children -boys seem to be prone to this- are being gifted with plastic guns as gifts or toys. I find this, unsettling!

Let me share a small incident that led me to writing this. Yesterday, I was travelling after work, and I saw this child playing with a toy gun. Holding the gun and moving around as if trying to navigate himself away from a moving enemy. Then he began to shoot! doom! doom! doom!

It disturbed me. This-a child bearing a gun-seemed wrong, somehow. I realised that by giving a child a gun, we are making them accustomed to not only carrying a weapon, but also to violence. At a deeper level, we are teaching our children to be at war with their childhood.

I am not a saint. I too am guilty of having held a 'gun' when I was small. My brother and I had water guns, and beebee guns. When we were not targeting ourselves, we used to target our unsuspecting neighbours. And we found it thrilling. I am ashamed to say that I found joy in another's pain.

This is why I can look back and say now, that giving children 'weapons' to play with and advocating violence, is wrong. Thankfully, I don't find harming others a joy any more. But will everyone who finds joy in this, change their mind?

Please, don't tell me I am blowing things out of proportion. 

Beyond Borders’ Inspirational Dansala

What comes to mind when you think of Vesak? I am sure you’re reminded of observing sil, going to the temple and worshipping, the jathaka stories, the stories from life of Lord Buddha, the importance of the Dhamma etc. I am sure that thoughts of making Vesak koodu (lanterns) at home, of the lavishly lit thoran (pandols) and dansal will run on the fringe of your mind as well.

Whilst the religious activities continued throughout the weekend, where many visited the temples to observe sil or to engage in the Dhamma, at night, the country was up in lights and music. Throngs of people walked on the roads or got in to trucks to go see Vesak. To enjoy the massive thoran which depict stories from Lord Buddha’s life or to enjoy food from a dansala.

Speaking of Dansal, the only thing that comes to a Sri Lankan’s mind is food! Various kinds of food, be it a hot meal of rice and curry or ice cream. However, this year Beyond Borders gave the word dansala and its concept, a whole new meaning! Working on the lines of inspiring, Beyond Borders decided to have an ‘Inspiration Dansala’ whereby distributing quotes from the Dhammapada, to the general public making the people more aware of the meaning behind this religious celebrations.

Joining the people on the streets of Colombo, the guys and girls from Beyond Borders gathered near the Gangarama Temple to spread the inspiration to the people. With a few hiccups at the start, the distribution of these quotes had a lovely response with some people coming behind the energetic team asking for more sticker quotes, or asking for translations!

Even though our team was a little hesitant in getting this going, we felt welcomed by the response from the people. The overall experience was overwhelming!

The original post can be found on the Beyond Borders blog.