What makes the world go round?

Think the answer is love? Think again then. The saying has changed a bit over the years. Many opine that money, is what makes the world go round, around which the earth rotates, around which it revolves. Probably thats what would be taught to school kids a few decades from now. Now, what triggered off this train of thought, was an extremely pathetic movie called "Yuvatha" about four guys and two girls and their friendship. Let me now not get tempted into reviewing the movie here but a couple of scenes really got me thinking. The guys were supposedly the best of friends, living for each other. Now, they have a plan to rob some organisation, and a couple of them go, one backs out, and one is injured. The guys who go to do the job are tricked, and they end up wth a jail sentence and no money. Whom do they suspect? Obviously the guy who backed out, because he was nowhere to be found. Not one scene showed them even giving a thought to what happened to him. In another scene, in jail, the two best - friends have a squabble and one guy blatantly tells the other guy that he's been "tolerating" him just because the guy had no one else and because he pitied him. So four best friends. Friends for life. Until the money issue. Where have we not seen such things? "Friends" flock to an easy-spending guy, relatives flock to you if you have lots of things to gift away in your will. Sometimes it seems, that all this advancement, technology, has made life so easy, but what a price to pay! We probably wouldn't have been too badly off as cavemen, a cave to himself each, with a barter system, having what we need, not what we want. Heck. What i talk about may not sound too sensible. But where are we without a few notes of currency? Things (whatever) required for life would now be stated as 1. Air 2. Water. 3. Food 4. Money. For without money there is no food, no water. We all know, money can buy medicines, but not good health; books, but not knowledge; a bed, but not sleep; a house, but not a home etc etc.. but what about those with no money to buy medicines, books or a house? What about those who cannot take some treatment because of financial constraints? My point is, the poor guy looks at the rich one enviously, thinking he'd be really happy if he was in the other's place, but the rich guy would never ever wish he would have been poor, though he faces jealousy, envy, resentment and what not, all the other evils money would bring. If you remember, Shania Twain said, 

"We live in a greedy little world
That teaches every little boy and girl
To earn as much as they can possibly
Then turn around and
Spend it foolishly
We've created us a credit card mess
We spend the money that we dont possess
Our religion is to go and blow it all
So its shoppin every sunday at the mall
All we ever want is more
A lot more than we had before

What have we become?
Yuvatha also made me think about friendship. Love is the weakest relationship. Couples split as easily as they bond together. Even blood relations break off. But friendship is what stays. Once a friend, always a friend. Friends stand by you, when even your own family thinks twice. Friends are always there, near or far, to throw in a word of comfort or two. True Friends are rarer than we think they are. People change unbelievably over time, and thats what makes us realise, how no amount of money to get a friend stand up for you, when all you can see are accusing fingers pointed straight. Indeed, there is no bond like the one you share with your best friends, in fact, even your boyfriend/girlfriend would be your best friend first. Dil Chahta Hai was such a fine showcase of this beautiful bond. Dil chahta hai, kabhi na beetey chamkiley din, hum na rahein kabhi yaaron ke bin. Friendship, is what makes the world go round.

@!#$%^&$!!!!

How can some people be so irritating??? People just get onto your nerves sometimes! And what can you do about it? Nothing! Just because you want to avoid the emotional outbursts afterward, or because you have to spend the rest of college/ work together - or simply, because that person valuates your exam papers. You can't even tear your hair out (I fear growing permanently bald) . Probably the best idea would be to take a chill - pill, but how many times and for how long?? The first stage, you may be patient, close your eyes, and forget it after 10 minutes; the second, your blood begins to boil and you wish you could record the scene for MTV's One Tight Slap; third, you start feeling you are above it all and take it as a test of your tolerance levels, the fourth (thats as far as I've gone) is when you are confused and tell yourself that you are still in the third stage, but actually slip down to the second. All because you have no other option but to stand the person patiently, for reasons mentioned above. But what is the point of it all? Why do people want to be someone they're not? Popularity? Sympathy? WHAT?? The problem with pretense, is that, no one knows where to stop. People begin to go overboard in being "sweet" (or "tough", whatever). And the worst part is, people think YOU are the mean, emotionless brat. Is everyone blind? Seriously, its tolerable to some extent if the person is a contemporary, but profs are absolutely the limit. Sometimes i wish i could stand up in class and scream "WTF?" (and a lot more than that). And when he pointedly throws lame comments, I wish I could turn into Krissh atleast (in the interest of humility) and show him how i really feel about him. I wouldn't feel half as agitated if the persons who really matter share my convulsions. But no. If that happened I wouldn't probably be writing this in the first place. Mom always says, "Don't find so many faults with everyone, they probably think the same about you." Why doesn't anyone understand??
And then there's the category that thinks half the male population is dying to get a glimpse of their fingernail. The others get to listen to endless stories about how this guy makes passes, and that guy does something else and what not; when actually no one turns a hair. And no one appreciates them, because they're all so jealous. Hmph! The 3 odd hours I spend in college I have my brain eaten out by stuff like this. Aishwarya Rai would probably make a run for her money if these people entered bollywood/ hollywood. WTF?? Does no one believe in mirrors? And the guys too.. the slightest attempt by these at juvenility would make them go "so sweet/cute!" Ugghhh! Boys are really the limit sometimes! And amidst all this I get to do nothing but stand and watch. And probably gnash my teeth("Gngngngngngngn" as my buddy puts it)
Heck, the world is going to stay just as it is. Probably we should be the ones with a change in attitude, which advocates more tolerance towards other fellow beings. Or rather, deal with it with subtlety (which dexterity, of course, many of us are not fortunate enough to posses). For my part, I would dearly love to show the full wrath of my sarcasm. Lets just leave it at that. Life just goes on I guess.

When you say nothing at all

I just felt like putting this up:

It's amazing how you can speak right to my heart
Without saying a word, you can light up the dark
Try as I may I can never explain
What I hear when you don't say a thing

The smile on your face lets me know that you need me
There's a truth in your eyes saying you'll never leave me
The touch of your hand says you'll catch me whenever I fall
You say it best ....when you say nothing at all

All day long I can hear people talking out loud
But when you hold me near, you drown out the crowd
Try as they may they could never define
What's been said between your heart and mine

The smile on your face lets me know that you need me
There's a truth in your eyes saying you'll never leave me
The touch of your hand says you'll catch me whenever I fall
You say it best................When you say noting at all!

Leisure

I do believe most of us would remember these lines:

What is this life if, full of care,
We have no time to stand and stare.
No time to stand beneath the boughs
And stare as long as sheep or cows.
No time to see, when woods we pass,
Where squirrels hide their nuts in grass.
No time to see, in broad daylight,
Streams full of stars, like skies at night.
No time to turn at Beauty's glance,
And watch her feet, how they can dance.
No time to wait till her mouth can
Enrich that smile her eyes began.
A poor life this if, full of care,
We have no time to stand and stare.

It's titled 'Leisure' by W. H. Davies. This poem is generally included in Fifth-Standard textbooks, i guess for its simplicity, but the simple and effective truth it holds, we fail to comprehend at that level. After all, what use is a path lined by flowers, if we can't stop to smell their fragrance? And in that case, what right do we have, to complain if the path is rough or rocky? From the time we get up, it's running to work, then running around on work, and finally running home, eating, sleeping. Of what use is a fat paycheck when we earn so much, that we have forgotten how to live? Of what use is indulging in social service, in serving the society, when we fail to be at hand, to our own members of family? Charity after all, begins at home. Unknowingly or otherwise, we get so busy with the world outside, that they finally end up managing without us; and then frustration sets in, stirs up the insides, leaves the same way it came in, and things resume the same routine from the next day. The same running to work/college, running around on work, and running back home. Maybe work is a necessity.. and we need to work in order to survive.. but then, its not about survival, life is about living. Money, people, circles and society come and go, but what about those who stand by us throughout our lifetime? We snap and snarl at them in our everyday pre-occupations, and forget seemingly insignificant things, which might, in fact, mean a lot to them. Of what use is saying, "Oh, sh*t!", when the damage is already done?Work is an excuse, but we, at this age, don't have one. With phone in one hand, eyes glued to the comp, or just acting as Mr. Responsible-For-The Entire-College, what happened to appreciation of the small joys of life? Obviously, we tend to cut down on patience levels, what with the frustration of doing something when we know we want to do something else, and be someplace else. How long has it been, since we indulged in some serious gossip, laughed till we cried, called each other names, slept in our grandmothers lap, had a long talk with that someone, kept up our promise of always being there to share joy or sorrow, or just making that special someone feel special. Maybe after ten years, when we look back at college days, and try to remember all the fun things we did, in 'the wildness of youth', we'd just be left groping in our heads, for a memory. Maybe even now, all we are left with, are memories, when now is the time we really get to make them. For once we divorce into our respective fields, and step into offices, these days would never come back. So take a breath of the fresh air, before stepping into college, or pause to admire the full moon smiling down, for,life does not give everyone a second chance. Don't emulate the ants instead of the butterflies, for life is a journey that you embark on, whose paths are more enjoyable than the destination itself. No one really makes you do something until you're a little inclined to do it, so don't complain about what you did, and what you didn't have time for. Learn to live, and then to let live.

Love :)

Ever felt you've had the best conversation in years, though you haven't spoken a word? I know we've read this line a lot of times in quotes or forwards to our mailbox. But experiencing it is a different feeling. An absolutely wonderful feeling. A feeling which rushes through your veins, when a simple nod, or a touch of the hand speaks a thousand reassuring words, gives you a heart-warming hug, or simply says, I Love You. Love, Love, Love. Love makes the world go round. Makes the sun rise. And makes you wake up every morning to a beautiful day, ready to face with head held high, the menagerie of life. Manifests itself in your mother's touch when she shakes u awake, in your fathers voice when he gives u a piece of his mind about your marks, in friendship, over a cup of coffee with your best friend or even discussing the last movie seen, and of course, in the eyes of that special someone, for whom you would go to the ends of the world, who just has to ask, and you would cross the seven seas, or even, scale the sky and count the stars. Who makes u say to yourself, everytime you look out the balcony, what a beautiful world it is. Who makes a solar eclipse seem like a bright sunny day. Who makes even green vegetables taste like a delicacy straight out of an Italian Chef's kitchen. I could go on and on.Ok, now, I'm not getting all mushy :p. In short, who gives u reason to say peremptorily, Life is beautiful.
I don't believe i have exaggerated. Its different, reading these things in a blog, or listening to a dreamy hero pelt out these lines in a flick. Something which can only be felt, in the presence of that person, who fills your world with happiness, no, who is your world. I'm not referring to the boyfriend/girlfriend only.. though, that is the first image which forms in the mind when 'love' is mentioned. Everyone has a boyfriend/girlfriend now. Our society has broadened its horizons, and its no taboo anymore, the concept of dating, or associationg with memebers of the opposite sex with a motive other than just friendship. Relationships, just like the fashions and trends which come and go. How many can one pin-point to, and say with conviction, that these two really love each other, and would stand by each other through their lives? One? or maybe two. Either by one's will, or by mutual consent, heart broken, depressed, they drift apart, only to pick up the broken pieces and stick them together with the glue offered by the next. Its an endless cycle. Somewhere, in the midst of all this, the true beauty of love, is lost. These species of thought circulated through my brain endlessly for about 6 and a half months of 2006. Because, everything i had believed in, i had been made to swallow whole, and wear dark shades, looking at a world cloured in black, white, and grey.
And thats when he came, with his bottle of glue :), hand-picking every bit chipped off with so much care, andso much love, that, slowly, the cocoon I'd built around myself, began to dissolve, and my eyes began to see colour again. Never knew a simple nod of acceptance could conceive so much exaltation, put a skip in your every step, make you sing to yourself, write his name on imaginary hoardings :p, and say the three precious words over and over again! And one-year-and-four-months later, the green-and-hazel trust, acceptance, and love i see, if it is really possible, is always a shade deeper than the last time they looked into mine, (If i had a better voice, and if circumstances would permit, i'd sing to him Ronan Keating's 'When you say nothing at all" over the radio) telling me, that they'd lend a hand when i stumble, lift me up when i fall, and stand by me, no matter what. Miles of distance wouldn't be too far away. And neither would the six years and a half.. for, even in times of loneliness, every moment which passes, passes with the assurance, that you're not alone, someone misses you too. Do you know how much difference that makes? I do.. and it makes as much difference as rain to a farmer, or the rising sun to human kind. It fills every hole left, fills the absence of a sister, to share your emotions with, the longing for a friend to just pour your heart out, fills every oubliette(think i spelled that right) with so much love and contentment.
Love is such a beautiful thing. It makes the deaf hear, and blind see. And it makes you want to live to a hundred, with him by your side. Life, is so beautiful.