Don't take it personally
I was brought up with the habit of sharing. In school there were the textbooks, the bench we sat on, the pencils and erasers, and teasing the teachers. At home I had to share the last piece of chicken.
As kids we rarely received gifts. On the ethnic new year's day the oldest member of the family presented shiny coins. One Indian rupee. In the present day, it converted to 1/40th of the Canadian dollar. Once in two years a long lost uncle came flying down from a foreign land bearing gifts. There were always more children than gifts.
There were no personal belongings to speak about. I did not take anything personally. I got married. We took each other personally! I had a sense of belonging. By now I had this burning desire to take more things personally. I collected material things over the next couple of decades. I did not get any satisfaction. Then I came to this great country. - read more...
Freedom at Ten
Women think way far ahead. They plan, plot, and gently let their men loose in a maze that resembles their mind! And those pour souls believe they are getting away with IT. These two incidents will elaborate my point. - read more...
Thanksgiving
I first heard about Thanksgiving eight years back. What I knew of Thanksgiving till then was in bits of conversation and stories. And, till recently I presumed Thanksgiving was a religious festival! - read more...
Life is like a box of chocolates
Certain people and incidents give you a fresh outlook on life. You meet them every day. You come across such situations once in a while; simple events that are life changing or at least that make you think. - read more...
What's in a name?
Two weeks ago I was peacefully watching TV when the phone rang. It was a 1-800 number. Usually I do not pick marketing calls. I do not pick any calls! That day I was indulgent. - read more...
Lotteries - A worthy cause
I feel good today. Hopefully, my contribution of $100 towards the research of a deadly disease will save someone's life. That's the best part. On the other side, research into my lottery buying habits has begun. - read more...
Oh Man!
There is no woman in sight. If a man stands in the middle of a forest and says something, is he still wrong? - read more...
Eat, my son!
"Eat, my son. By the time you go back to Toronto, I want you to gain two pounds." This shocking start to conversation stemmed, unbelievably, from unconditional love. - read more...
My trip to see Amma
Summer time. Managers at a popular car franchise wilted under the constant pressure of trying to sell their inventory and promote next year's stock. After much deliberation they hit upon a plan to target new immigrants. They began scouring the countryside for a racecar driver model to promote their new collection. - read more...
Kissed by a dolphin!
The day started early, a few sunrays before six. The sun peeped, ran an eye over Holguin beach, looked up, parted the curtains of our resort room, and summoned me to the window. Our third-floor room offered a fabulous view of the resort and nature: thick vegetation to my right, with the beach curving away from behind my right shoulder to the front as far as the eye can see. Magnificent, indeed! The white sands of the beach seemed to have turned pale by holding its breath at the beauty of the sea. The water was a brilliant blue closer to the shore and turned sea green as it went deeper.- read more...