My Tuesday Plans

It’s been two years since I left my home and came out to face this world alone and become that 'Something'. I started living with some guys who happen to be from the same city as mine. One of my roommate visited temple near our home every week on Tuesday. I started to accompany him as he used to go alone. Slowly it became a habit for me too.I don't remember exactly but I think we have followed this schedule since one and a half years now (some achievement by my standards). Some more friends have also joined us now.

I belong to a religious family to a sense that food is first served to God and then to us at home. I have performed many rituals for years together not knowing their significance just because "Mom Said So". My parents are regular to different spiritual places in India to offer their prayers. My dad is a great believer and listens to discourses every morning before he begins his day (that taught me to wake up early!!).I don't remember how many times we have performed Havan and Bhog at our home to keep the evil spirits away.

My friends tell me that u don't need to be a regular to temples to pay your regards. If u believe in him and think of him being present everywhere u can get his blessings sitting at home. I haven't thought on the reason but I go regularly just to thank God that I have survived another week in this chaotic world and would come again if I can next week. I don’t ask him for anything. I think he knows very well what we all want. If he doesn't know then who will.I don't need to go and tell him that this is what I want please give me. I think people who go to temples and ask him for This or That are selfish.Its like bargaining with him 'U do this for me and i will do this for u". I have always believed that if it is there in your Destiny u will have it and if it is Not no matter how much we try we wont get it. So it’s best to leave all in his hands and put in your best work.

That’s it from me for now....it’s Tuesday and it’s my time of the week to meet God.

Hey Dad, how are you??

It’s been almost 2 years that I have left my home in search of independence and a better future (for a job …in simple terms) but I don’t remember a single time that I spoke to my Dad for more than fifteen minutes on phone or in person since then.

All my calls are mostly answered by my Mom who tells me everything from what is happening in our home to our neighborhood (Now you know why Telecom is growing the way it is!!!). I speak to my brother often for career related issues. My dad talks to me if he picks up the phone sometimes and asks me if I need anything and hands over the phone to Mom. My visits to home are very limited and It’s mostly twice in a year that I get a chance to go there. On home visits my time is taken by friends, shopping, relatives and some rest. Dad is as busy as he is and the only time I get to talk to him properly is when he is there to pick me up and drop me at station.

It has always been like this. Even in my teen years I haven’t spent much time speaking to him. His business keeps him badly busy and there are not many weekends that he has spent at home. A day for him starts at 6 and by 8 he is on his way to work. Salvation from work is mostly at 10 and by 11 he returns to bed. With such a schedule for almost 7 days a week I can’t expect much time from him.

But I do admire his hard working nature and the passion for his work. Working so much at this age is no less achievement. I have seen the respect that he gets from the people he works with. Trust me it takes a life to make so many people love you so much.

He has been there when I needed his guidance and support. Infact he used to drop me at 6 in the morning to my school for my football practices. But as I grew up and my dependence on him reduced we have spent lesser and lesser time together. As I entered college it was only for my pocket money issues that I had a conversation with him. Mom has always been there taking care of all my needs. She knows everything about me, my likes, my dislikes, my friends, my crush and everything I can’t even think of. So some how the bridge got filled up.

I know that even if he has very less time to spare for me he is proud that I am independent today. He is happy that I respect him and follow what he says. Some where he feels strong as he knows there is someone to take care of him and the family.

May be we will be able to spend more time together when he decides to retire(that won't be before 80 i guess) . May be my children will be able to make up for all the time that I have lost by being with him without being interrupted by the outside world commitments.

Another frustrated IT guy???

I have read many articles where some or the other software engineer writes how boring his life has become since he joined an IT company.All the 5 days of the week appear to be the same.Get up early in the morning,catch a bus,go and sit into ur cubicle in between unknown people,do the same work again,eat a bit,have 2-3 cups of tea and some puffs,return back home,eat,sleep and get ready for another day.

I agree to a number of things being said and written.Life does become boring once the initial excitement of working in one of the best companies in the world goes away.One certainly realizes that the work has become repetitive and the only reason one is doing it is for 'Money'.One starts to miss the time spent with family and friends and the freedom of choice one had.And you ask yourself is there a way out??

I think life is not meant to be constant.As a child all we wish is to grow up and go to school.In school we want to get into a college.College life pushes us to start earning so that we can be independent.And once we do get that independence(trust we are a lucky few!!!) we start analysing it and wish things were different and we could go back to start all over again.But the clock runs in one direction only...

This made me take the whole scenario in a different light.I feel that the work we do can be taken up more as a challenge than a routine. I still remember the Zeal with which i worked all night after my manager told me that the work allocated to me will be given over to another experienced guy the next day, as I had made no progress on it for some time( two days to be precise).I finished the whole thing in the process and slept in office for the next whole day .It was great pride to know that something I developed six months ago was being used in a foreign land by so many users.I started discussing personal things with my collegue so that we can get to know each other better,I started enjoying my lunch with the team realizing that there is more to life than competition and work pressure hides the real qualities of a man.I guess there is a positive side to everything.If u keep ur face to the sun u cannot see the dark.

I don't want to sound like a Self-help guru but still analysing too much has never helped anyone. As they say 'Love what u do and u will not have a single working day in ur life'.