Choices...

Imagine...
Imagine... That there is a faraway place largely untouched by outsiders. Largely, because it is somewhat affected by the train that passes on the new track. The old decrepit track tells the unwritten tales of the past. The children here still run free and explore the nature around. They roam everywhere except the new train track.

The children hear it from the elders that Nature nurtures everywhere- except the new train track.

They hear it and drink it with their milk that the new train track is like the devil- it will steal the soul of those who venture on it.

And this is just as well. The trains do follow a time-table of sorts. But the villagers still tell the time of the day by the position of the sun and still travel by the horse and bull pulled carts. They are contented living within the dusty by-lanes of a rustic neighbourhood that nurtures their soul.

There are, however, always the rebels. Always those that are curious to see beyond, walk beyond, run beyond... REACH beyond...

One day, on a bright sunny morning, a group of five children walked to the out-skirts of the village. Their eyes could reach much farther than their tiny bodies, their little hands and their small feet.

Are you still imagining?

The children were playing on the old track. This was a safe place. The train would not travel on this one... Though still connected to the main new track, it was weak and dangerous for the trains. That, itself made it safe for everyone else.

What is a lump of flesh for some in the form of a larva, is the beginning of a butterfly for the others. It depends upon the perspective.

One child ran to catch the ball that had landed on the new track. This track was very much more attractive for him. It glistened in the sun. It seemed to reach infinity in the horizon. The boards of wood seemed to hold the two rails together, yet apart. These boards were strong and new. They were weathered and resilient. Everything about this track was vitality and enigma. New and attractive.

Everything about the old track was... dull and dying.

Ramesh, the one who had run after the ball yelled in obvious amazement, " Babu, Ram, Keval, Rattan, come here... look... how magnificent and shiny this track is!"

His voice beckoned his friends, alluring them to an experience that they knew could be dangerous.

Keval, however, was a disciplined boy. He always thought before he did anything. He always considered tradition before jumping headlong into the unknown. He always considered the word of the elders before he took a step away from home. He was sincere. He was strong. He believed he could do anything if he had the blessings of the Gods above and the Elders below.

Keval spoke up," Ramesh, this track can be dangerous. we MUST not play on it... It ,may thrill for a while but sooner or later, the train will come trundling along and carry us all to the infinity that seems to be alluring you! Come back to the old track. We are safe here."

Ramesh had a strange shine in his eyes. Glazed and mesmerised by the attractiveness of the moment, he was blind and deaf to any other advice. And he prevailed.

Ramesh and the other three began running on the new track, oblivious of the oncoming train. It was as if the track was actually directing them to their Destiny and Fate.

Keval was left alone. Dejected and desolate, he tried to make sense to the unhearing ears, unseeing eyes...

Now imagine...

The Driver in the oncoming train sees the children playing on the track. He is desperate. He blows the whistle. It goes unheeded. The train is inching closer every moment. The children are too happy to let anything else interfere with their moment of pleasure.

The Driver knows he has to do something, or four innocent children will die. His eyes dart from the instrument panel in front of him to the track with the children. Then his eyes swing like the pendulum and see the track running parallel to this one. There is one child there.

The driver knows that the track cannot support the weight of this train.

All the six hundred and forty eight passengers along with his crew are in danger, if he stops too suddenly because his train might get derailed.

If he does not stop, the four children on the track will definitely die.

If he changes the track... there is one child there. He, too will not survive- but the driver would have saved four children, sacrificing one!

Are you still on the track? Or in the driver's chair? Can you imagine the scene in front of you?

What would you do?

Would you stay on track, and kill the four children?

Would you change track and kill one child?

Would you try to stop suddenly... and risk derailment?

Imagine....


What would you do????


Answers later...

Lead your family

A family is defined in our text-books of family and preventive medicine... a family is a group of people of the same blood line and living under the same roof. There are two exceptions to this rule. A wife is not of the same blood-line but she is what defines and shapes the ethos of a family. A servant is not of the same blood-line but shares the same roof.

A family is a group of people that shares values and goals. They share dreams and aspirations. They have similar interests and likings. They often, have the same tastes and dislikes, too. They define the quality of the family life by whether they are together in love or a losely thrown together group of people who simply share the roof but not the air they breathe.

Families need to share togetherness, love and they need to share values and dreams. This has to be done- it takes time, and effort, and dedication, and commitment. It is helped by a shared prayer and a shared feeding time. It is strengthened by unequivocal and uncontestably clear value statement. Certain things MUST be clearly spelledout for the family.

We will pray together.

We will eat dinner together.

We will not cheat or lie.

We will not sleep over a difference.

We will not let the sun rise AND set on a fight.

We will BE together- no matter what.

We will rally behind whoever needs our support in any situation...

We will share our aspirations clearly.

We will not hesitate to express love.

We will not let anyomne be wronged.

We will work together.

We will work together to build a better world!

And it starts at HOME, with a family.

One parent has to take on the role of the leader. One parent has to allow for the family to begin growing. One parent must set the tone for a common platform to be clear. If both parents can be on the pedestal together, these families will create citizens to be proud of. And if there is one that CAN take on this role, the other needs to support this one.

We need to live our lives not pass them. Ants also live- and they live very well.

They work together- lifting many times their weight; they leave everything and lift an injured family member to safety. They work hard. they collect what is essential for their inclement season.

We need to live better.

We need to create a culture of leadership that begins in homes and grows in the nation.

Cinderella rubbed floors!

Cinderalla rubbed floors, she cooked food and she did the laundary. When she could, she dreamed.

She dreamed of attending the Royal Ball. Not because she had an lofty notions about herself but because it would take her away from drudgery for an evening. She wanted a break!!

And she wanted happiness.

Some tasks appear small but when one does them, they show how truly massive the effort is in doing them. There are other tasks that appear mammoth... but in effect, when we get down to really doing them, they appear sooooo easy!

When we were young children, 7 or 8 years old, our parents used to take us for regular morning walks. We used to walk 5-7 km each day in our summer vacations. It used to be one BIG GIGANTIC walk for us. Sometimes, we would just want to give up. Then, Dad would say, very matter if factly, "Just count ten steps".

We would walk ten, counting each step. With utmost concentration. We would stop. And breathe deeply. Our sweat soaking our eyes and stinging them. Each breath tearing through our system as if there is no passage for it to exit except by tearing through!

My father would calmly say, "Count ten more. Then ten more. You will soon reach the destination."

A very simple process! It breaks up a difficult and daunting task into several small ones. It sets up small targets- easy to achieve. The small jobs done also mean the positive re-enforcement comes quickly in small but tangible bursts of energy. Each burst of energy provides a better and firmer push towards the final goal.

Attend the Royal Ball.

Walk the ten steps.

Dance with the Prince.

Walk ten more steps.

Reach home before twelve!

Reach home!!

That is what Dory also says in Finding Nemo... Keep on swimming... Just keep on swimming...

So... who is going for the party tonight??