Thumpoli beach, Alleppey
In the little
notepad that I carry around with me I have scribbled such at random:
Themes for blog
1. Coitus
interruptus (the mental kind)
2. Ponmudi -
sacrilege by ISRO
3. Idea
robbers (forgot the idea!)
4. Alleppey
Chirappu festival
5. Boat ride
from Alleppey to Kottayam
6. Delhi,
December 2012
7. The arrogant
male
8. The clean and
well-lighted places
9. The Countdown
10. A fallacy
called friendship
11. Conduct
Certificate
A mind swirling with thoughts at times; at times
a vacuum, at times at peace, at times in a turmoil, joy, sorrow, indifference,
hurt, happy... It has been exactly a month since I blogged. As can be seen from
above, it is not the lack of subjects but the unwillingness to put them across
to you that has kept me from elaborating on them. Every time I open the netbook
and look at the blank page, I would wonder - why? What I am trying to tell
people? Why do I want to? What difference would it make to the few readers that
I have? I was reminded of the late blogger, Ms Kochuthresiamma. She passed away
nearly a year ago. Quietly. I sometimes visit her page, almost hoping to find a
new post from her.
Looking back at
the more than 4 years of blogging, I realize that it has been a journey of
self-discovery. Except a few, most of my posts have been about myself; how I
react to my surroundings. Couple of years ago, an American commented that he is
unable to take anything from my writings because it was all about sorrow and
disappointments and such negative thoughts. He suggested that I should think
positively. Though I felt snubbed at first, it dawned upon me that what he said
is true. Mark, I think his name was. Now
I feel so grateful to Mark. By thinking,
by scraping out bits and pieces of goodness in me, I have been able to change
my attitude to life. From the responses of my readers, I could sense that some
of the joy of life could be shared with them.
The countdown
has started. If nothing untoward happens, I should be out of the bank by the
end of March 2013; I have given the mandatory 3-month notice to the Bank.
Already the news has spread through the grapevines and the first question they
all ask me - 'So what are you going to do afterwards?' Explaining is pointless and tiring. So I
limit to one word - 'Nothing'. Those who know me would say, 'oh, going to
Himalayas, taking up photography, writing etc, uh?' 'Maybe', I say.
One man said -
'Balan Sir, what you are doing is a great mistake, a great mistake'. In some, I
recognize envy. In some, I can clearly hear the gurgle and the thought - ' I hope he is going to
regret it, oh how lovely that would be."
Very few share the hopes of freedom. Very few say, 'Good for you, Balan.
All the best for the great adventure'.
The way the
world is, if I fail or misery befalls me, they would all say, ' I knew it, I
knew it, I told you so.' Only the few
who wished me well would continue to support me.
I wait
impatiently for the three months to be over.
Honest, I have no plans for the immediate future, except a few visits -
Bombay, Calicut, Mussorie and some more. I would start with tidying up the house, playing with
Sancho and Sally ( my dogs) to my fill, pounce upon my old libraries at
Trivandrum with gusto, go for long bike
rides with K during the summer holidays, start working on a website on western
ghats , work at our organic farm in Attappadi - well, it seems I do have a lot
of plans!!
During the last
month, I did have a few setbacks, disappointments and instances of sorrow. But
I have been able to override all that. I am surprised at the unknown reserves
of inner strength in me.
Life beside the backwaters, Alleppey
***********
Balachandran V, Alleppey, 09.01.2013
I feel so happy for you.
ReplyDelete"Self-actualization" as in Maslow.
'Nothing' and 'Maybe' are the perfect answers rather than going through the trouble of explaining. Let others pity you, you know what you did is right.
Balanji, the world awaits!
Balan! You have so many promises to keep, outside the bank!! May shortly follow you!!
ReplyDeleteBala Sir, Lucky and brave are the ones who follow their heart and then do what they want to and stick to it ..
ReplyDeleteAll those who ask questions are mostly the ones who have not got the guts to do something for a change or do something different then the NORM :)
My best wishes always sir, Hope everything goes according to plan ..
setbacks and disappointments are part of life, otherwise life will become too bland if not for them what will we do if we get only success all the time ..
and How can you FAIL.. anyone who does what he wants to do if a Success sir, what happens later is a different story..
BEST OF LUCK SIR
Bikram's
@Sreejith: Thanks, Sreejith! :-)
ReplyDelete@Venu: Looking forward to the day when you too can make it! :-)
@Bikram: Your words are so inspiring. You did open the windows and let in light! Thanks Bikram, I really mean it. And hey, one of the plans is to do the Chardham - there is a direct weekly train from Trivandrum to Dehra Dun - take the Bull in it till Hardwar and whroom! :-)
EXCELLENT oh I loved the last line .. riding from Hardwar , awesome .. god willing one day wehn i get to meet you we can ride some distance together ..
ReplyDeleteHave a safe journey .. We are planning to go back to scotland this year in summers , fingers crossed
You wont believe if I say I was wondering when would your post be Balan. The first para you wrote is exactly what I have been feeling the most of last year. The fact is you were able to put it in words, I wasnt even able to do that.
ReplyDeleteBut Balan, please continue to write. There are one or two readers like me who wait for your posts. Enjoy your life and do the things that you had longed and loved all the while dreaming about them in your dingy bank cabin :)