MAGIC IN THE MUNDANE

The earthy floral aroma of tea brewing in my kettle in the meditative silence of morning is comforting. Sipping the same in my favourite nook in the garden is a perfect way to begin my day. The magic does not go even if I repeat the regimen. The daily grind pushes simple joys to the back burner. We ought to go on holiday to find them. Why not find them here and now? Vibrant wildflowers growing in the wilderness, the scent of fresh grass seeping through the cracked window,  and bird song at the first light can fill your world with exhilaration in these infinitesimal yet momentous moments. 

Hans Christian Anderson said it best, “the whole world is a series of miracles, but we are so used to them we call them everyday things.” 

The hearty laugh of a friend, the playful eyes of my fur baby, heart-to-heart conversation with my teenager and the shine in my mother’s eyes upon seeing me are all heartwarming. There is solidarity in seeing a new moon with my mother that has stayed even when we share the experience over a phone call now. I visualise her smile at the glimpse of the crescent moon. One creates such precious memories by slowing down. The sound of chirping birds is musical if we stop by to take notice of it. Every morning is an opportunity to reboot and rebuild, wherein you write the narrative of your life. You can feel the magic in the mundane.

Life is arduous, but you can find the marvels hidden in the most unexpected places. Why not be a curator of your life, slowly cut the unnecessary till you have what you love? Hold onto the gesture that brought a smile to your face and warmed your heart. A favourite song, a good piece of music or whatever reminds you that the world is brimming with wonders to be cherished and appreciated. Everyday moments can create a blissful sanctuary amid an occupied day when we give them full attention and retain the childlike wonder, a reminder that magic is not only in fairy tales. 

Japanese people turn ordinary tea-making into a magical ceremony by conscious, deliberate effort and setting up a serene environment with deep appreciation for the profound process. They even take tea drinking to a meditative moment wherein they relish the flavour and aroma of the tea. The art of tea making may seem an ordinary task, but viewed through the eyes of intention, it becomes a sacred ceremony. We live in a world that often rushes past us in a whirlwind of noise and distraction. The clamour of technology and the cacophony of our commitments can disconnect us from harmony and connection. The sacred time creates anchors that take us closer to ourselves and our loved ones. The minuscule acts imbued with intentions are the whispers that lead to a deeper understanding of ourselves. In the hurried world, craft daily magical rituals that feed the soul. 

When you cultivate a sense of gratitude, it will bring appreciation hidden in the creases of life. A change in perspective and practice can do wonders. Cultivating a curious mind can be powerful in creating wonder. In the same way, practising mindfulness, wherein one is fully engaged in the moment to find beauty in the small moments. Connecting with nature has a way of inspiring awe and wonder in the mundane of life. 

When it is impossible to go to a dream place, start small, make a cup of tea and find a nook in your garden that is refreshing and respects your solitude and enjoy it. Take a break from the gadgets to find your moments of peace amid the chaos, go for a walk in the park and enjoy the refreshing air there. When your life feels like an emotional roller coaster, find comfort in these simple rituals. Master a soul lesson to wade through turbulent times by gaining strength from these glimmers of hope. 

Pictures from Google

 

                      TATA, THE TITAN

The outpouring of grief that started on the 10 of October when people lined up to pay tribute to the gentleman at the core, Mr Ratan N Tata, is continuing in the writings of his admirers from the world over. His passing has evoked deep reflections on his extraordinary life and nonpareil leadership. 

A beacon of India Inc., an out-of-the-ordinary leader with an immeasurable contribution to making India, his influence on the lives of people in our country will continue when he is no longer amongst us. Tatas are the biggest employer in the country, employing over a million people in their conglomerate. Ratan Tata’s benevolence touched the lives of millions through his varied philanthropic contributions. The legend, born in 1937, joined the Tata Group in 1962 and continued his journey till the end, although he relinquished the Chairmanship when he turned 75. He was conferred Padma Vibhushan by the Indian government, a lifetime achievement award by the Rockefeller Foundation, and the Knight Grand Cross of the Excellent Order of the British Empire. It did not change the compassionate human deep inside him. 

Ratan Tata chose impact over wealth accumulation, wherein sixty per cent of profits go towards charitable trusts that fund varied philanthropic activities across India, including education and healthcare. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Tata Sons and Tata Trusts pledged 1500 crores to support India’s fight against the virus. His salt to software enterprise is an integral part of our daily life and reaches every sphere of our lives. We start the day with the morning cup of Tetley tea, eat Tata salt in the food, buy clothes from Zara, Taniera and Westside stores, cosmetics from Zudio, jewellery and watches from Tanishq, cars from Tata Motors, education in the company run institutes to getting treated in their hospitals and much more. Acquisition of British brands Jaguar Land Rover and Tetley Tea put the Tatas on the world map. Tetley Tea was one of the mammoth overseas acquisitions by an Indian company at the time. 

A kennel for stray dogs at the Bombay House, Tata Headquarters is a testament to his love for animals. In 2018, he skipped Buckingham Palace Honour to be with his ailing pet dog. Prince Charles admired the man for such a decision. Last year, he opened India’s first Small animal Hospital after years of planning. The hospital, built with such a philanthropic spirit, has high-tech facilities for small animals, his love for creatures who cannot speak. An animal welfare activist, in his own words, "My love for dogs as pets is ever strong and will continue for as long as I live," 

He had a rare combination of stately calm and fierce discipline. He took up projects that most think unthinkable. A soft-spoken gentleman could be tough when required, a balance that put Tata Group in the place it reached. The tenets of kindness, integrity and humility in times of mad race for accumulating wealth of this indistinguishable gentleman were matchless. Ratan Tata managed to retain the Tata culture, the Tata way of life set by the earlier leaders. 

A life well lived will continue to inspire generations to come. Touching the lives and hearts of millions of people is the legacy you leave behind. His trusted assistant rightly will miss his lighthouse. A philanthropist in the steps of JRD Tata believed, “Apart from values and ethics which I have tried to live by, the legacy I would like to leave behind is a very simple one—that I have stood up for what I consider to be the right thing, and I have tried to be as fair and equitable as I could be.”

Picture from Google

         LAUGHTER IS TRULY A THERAPY

Jam-packed Tagore Theatre in the heart of the City Beautiful was ready for non-stop laughter thanks to the visiting eminent stand-up comedian. A family show with an enthusiastic audience, a mix of the elderly and the young, who have paid for the entertainment, speaks of the popular genre. Houseful attendance is a reality of the need for such shows where the feel-good sensation stays long after the finale. This show reminded me of the famed Punjabi Marasis of the olden days, who could get away with their mimicry and witty humour and who did not spare the rulers. In ancient Greek society, political and social satire entertained and educated the masses. Modern-day comedians convey subtle messages of social change in society. 

These humorists' sense of wit, scrutiny and the art of mimicry makes mundane funny and relatable. Their master card is making people laugh at their own expense. Most comedians place everyday characters in amusing situations, often picking up from the audience through wit and humour. Some crusaders in the garb of the comedians expect a well-versed audience whom they entertain through thought-provoking humour. 

The stand-up comedians talk about painful and not easily accessible topics by giving it a humorous angle. The absurdities and the confusion of our daily lives are handled funnily with a message. They inadvertently steer the path that is difficult to tread in routine conversations. It is a cathartic experience for the host who shares his weaknesses or shortcomings with a room full of strangers in the supporting environment. They pick on the audience and share their escapades to create a humorous atmosphere that keeps the audience in splits. The enterprising audience is encouraging; however, not everyone in the audience is game to the planned moments of impromptu interaction. They take it in the stride.

Satire is a relief mechanism that dispels stress and anxiety from our lives. Their passion for their craft makes the show engaging for their audience. They mock the powerful and find humorous angles to some of the darkest sides of life. Comedy, a business worldwide, is a form of self-expression as much as it is about connecting with an audience. Adhering to the boundaries of free speech and playing the role of the interrogator of social boundaries, the task is debatable. When they joke about their lived experience and be the butt of the joke themselves is taken well by the audience. 

Stand-up comedy is prone to be misunderstood by the uninitiated, but its rising popularity speaks of mature participants. The complex interplay of culture, politics, and history makes them relevant to the times. The biographical and observational stories are relatable, where the comedian speaks his mind, thus evoking a response through laughter and applause. 

This evolved art form is challenging and necessitates skill and technique to ace. The acts involve planning that we find relatable yet pleasurable. We laugh the loudest at the jokes we find relatable, wherein nuances of existence are made funny for us. The mimicry acts, the storyline and the ways of delivery are a sell-out. The keen observer in the comedian judges the audience in the first few minutes to provide non-stop laughter at the stipulated time. 

The new form of this genre also ridicules and exposes issues miring the society at large through jokes that may be relatively new to India; its antecedent in the form of marasis is age-old who could get with their mockery and did not spare even the rulers. We can regulate stress owing to Alpha generation comedians who insist laughter is medicine. The adrenaline, where the live comedy has us whooping in our seats, is addictive, and one looks forward to being at another one soon.