Do You Believe In Miracles?

"Miracle - A marvelous event manifesting a supernatural act of a divine agent"....This is how the dictionary describes the word....but the way I describe it, is somewhat different. I define it as...."Miracle - an event that could change the course of your life". Like most of you....I have always believed that miracles exist, but had never witnessed one. The only thing that made me keep hold of this small little word was my belief, and Hope!

There are times in life when one has to make a choice....it could either be for a small thing, or something huge....but making that choice is often the most difficult thing one has to do. I faced something very similar lately. I know it would sound too bizarre and not worth mentioning for some of you, but for me, it is important - because it has changed the way I think - and the way I believe!

It all began when I was selected in two of the major software companies in India, and making a choice between the two was tough. I was also working in a place where I was having the best time of my life, and so the sadness of leaving it was also prevalent. One of the companies had asked me to join them on 22nd August - which I thought - was too damn close! The other company, better than the first one, had not announced its date for me, and so I was a little dubious as what to do and what not to. And taking the scenario of the present software companies....it wouldn't have been a surprise if they would cancel the appointment. I didn't know what to do....what to think....It was a huge decision for me....and I didn't want it to go wrong!

After thousands of phone calls to the people I trust and believe, I decided to go in for the company calling me on the 22nd August. I got ready, and reached the office. Cell phones were to be switched off, and so I followed the instructions. I sat through some of the induction, but then felt my heart was heavy. I asked for permission to go to the washroom - there, I turned my phone on and made 5 calls - to dad, mom, my brother, and 2 of my good friends. I told the way I was feeling to all one by one....and I was amazed by the way everyone came out with the same response - everyone asked me to run out and skip this company!!!! I again thought for a minute or two....talked to a few other people there....and then....ran out! I didn't know what I was doing....my brain went dead....all I knew was that I was doing exactly as my heart was telling me to do.

After the day ended....I started questioning my decision....I was thinking what if I messed it all up....what if It all just went wrong. I then decided to not regret my decision, and just face the consequences....whatsoever they may be! A week went past, and I was enjoying whatever I was doing....when suddenly I got a call from my best friend, saying that the other company had sent out its date as 29th September! The moment I heard the news, I closed my eyes and whispered "Thank You!". I felt that an angel had forced me to leave the first company the other day....because had I joined it then, I would have been crying right about now!!!! It was a true miracle for me....a miracle - that HAPPENED!

It is not everyday that things work out in your favour - but when they do - you feel that there is someone looking out for you....and you feel good - and energised - and Blessed! And if things do not work out....then it means that you are even more Blessed....because something really good is coming your way very soon. The most important thing one must keep in mind is to never regret your decision....because if you do....you are messing yourself up even more than you already are....Just believe....and things will fall in place automatically!

I now completely believe that miracles happen....so when will you?

Are We Patriotic????

Nationalism - Patriotism - Loyalty....These are mere words....but what lies underneath them is a heavy meaning....a meaning that can take an entire nation to the path of progress and success!

I woke up this morning hoping that my cell phone would have several messages by many wishing me Happy Independence Day....but there were none. I then realised that people didn't take it seriously, and that they weren't Patriotic enough. I went to work in no hopes of celebration whatsoever....Why would a multinational firm care if it was a national holiday in the country where they had a few of their offices? And I was not bothered much too, for it was the reality - people care for themselves alone - and all those country specific talks, and the patriotism crap, and the 'being loyal to the country' wordings were a shear show off, and no one didn't actually care enough.

As soon as I opened the door to my work area, and stepped in....I was taken aback, and all my thoughts about multinational companies - and the people working in them - were shattered into a million pieces. The decor of the foyer made me drop my jaw till my shoulders, for it was a vision I had not expected in a million years! The roof had the Tri-Coloured balloons, all grouped into the sets of three each - specifying the presence of the three colours in our national flag. The roof also had the plastic replicas of the flag itself - hanging down - blessing all the by-walkers underneath!

That was not all - every employee was dressed in an ethnic way - and it was a sight to see....I felt as if I was in a theme party or something....It was an amazing feeling....a feeling you can only get out of patriotism! After my shift, I went to the cafeteria to grab a bite to eat, and the Patriotic fever was on its full swing there as well. The company had organised 'A Free Dinner Buffet' in honour of The 61st Independence Day! People had gathered there to eat - to enjoy - to celebrate....and yes, I was celebrating as well....it was a feeling that could not be resisted - as it grew from within....the most powerful source of all - The Heart!

I returned home with a heavy thought in my mind. People say that we are not patriotic - people say that the nation does not provide any support to them - people say all sort of things....But it is times like these that you feel and realise what your country does for you....and what you should do for your country. Let that feeling of nationalism speak for itself today....let the world know that we are proud of our country....and that we will work hard to make our country proud of us! Yes, we can take our country on the road to progress and success....all we need to do is work hard....and work together! Lets show the world what India is made of - Lets show the world what Indians are made of - Lets show the world the true meaning of Nationalism - Patriotism - and Loyalty!

Happy Independence Day Everyone!

The Perception Game

What is a perception? Is it some knowledge that you gain by seeing something or someone? Or is it your true belief in something? Is the perception almost always true? Or does it, like all other good things, have flaws?

So, I was midst my training session at the company that I started working for, when the trainer said that we should all play the perception game. The game has rules, but is simple. All we need to do is to tell our perception to everyone of what we thought they would be like when we first saw them or met them. It sounded simple enough, and the game began.

Everyone got their turns, and when the ball rolled on to me, I got intimidated. One by one, all of my fellow trainees poured out their perceptions about me....what did they think I would be like when they first saw me. There were people who said really nice things about me, like "I wanted to be friends with him", and "I found him really cool, with a cool accent"....and yes, then came the huge bump on the head...."I thought he was a security guard and not a trainee!"....and I was like, "what the heck!!!!????"

So, it was now my trainer's turn to tell her perception of me....and if you have read my earlier post, you would know that I am really fond of my trainer, and so I was obviously expecting something really cool. But then the bitter truth came out, "I thought you were a typical Punjabi and I did not like you!". I was spell bound....and angry and sad....and I felt as if all the blood rushed into my head....I thought I would explode!

But luckily, she clarified that it was all a perception....and that she was totally wrong! But all this made me wonder....we meet so many people everyday....and we perceive of what they will be like. But when we get to know them, what ever we had perceived them to be is almost never right. Then why do we still do it?

Why can't we simply pass a smile to a disabled rather than turning our faces away in disgust? Why do we set our expectations on someone who seems appealing, and who ends up breaking our trust in any case? Why do we perceive? Why do we go by looks and not by what's inside? Why doesn't someone with a bad appearance deserve a chance to be known and explored? I speak for myself, and I know that I am no different. But that perception game did teach me to pass a smile....to try being nice even to someone whom I think wont be nice.

Let's all give the worthy a chance....lets all pass a smile....lets all play the perception game, and know what really hidden inside!

Happy Perceiving Everyone!