A Cup of Cappuccino and a Straw

The quest for the better half has made me go through various new experiences, some of them surprisingly shocking and others very predictable.

For starters, love really surprises me; it feels like you’re on top of the world when you’re in it and in hell when out of it! Well, analysing the passing of events, one might say I fell in love with a person who can only fall in love with Numbers. Post that, the decision to accept what the fate has in store for thy dearest, with head held high,- serves tea, talks to total strangers (thinking-is this it?) and laughs at its outcomes.

So, here is a typical setting; CCD, a stranger sitting opposite you, trying to judge you from every action/words you speak and a cup of cappuccino (assuring me that All is Well!). But before venturing into that, friends, I would like to tell you the story behind a cup-of-cappuccino and a straw. A very close friend of mine was also going through the same experience when we were in our 3rd semester of PG in Bangalore. She was not-so-comfy with the whole situation (and I totally understand that now) went to meet a doctor-guy (X) on her parent’s perusal. Ordered her coffee and started a conversation with Mr. X. When her coffee arrived, it was a little extra frothy, afraid not to make a smiley on her face from coffee’s froth; she blurted out to the waiter- “Can I have a straw please”. Yes, my friends, she had her cappuccino with a straw! We still laugh by the mere thought of X’s facial expression when that happened.

Back to the setting, having gone through his educational qualifications and job profile, I agreed to meet the first guy from a marriage portal. (For further convenience, we shall refer this guy as Mr. Y). Being highly qualified and having a job that I envy, I was proud of my mother’s searching skills for finding Y. Apart from the fact that I could have a normal conversation with Y, what amazed me was that even being too well read could be a cause of concern. On being informed that this was my first meeting, Y, in a very concerned manner, cited from the book- Fooled By Randomness (by Nassim N. Taleb), that one should never settle in for the first thing that comes his/her way, and that was the reason for him to reject the first girl his parents found for him. And there I knew- it’s time for me to ask for a straw :)

Every such meeting requires me to make a decision whether I want to proceed knowing this guy more or not. It’s always very tough to ask your self- Is this it? Is this the one whom I am going to spend 3/4th of my life? I have always found that answer after analysing a lot and a little too late, not realising that that voice from with-in is always guiding me correctly.

PS: Guys, Fooled by Randomness is a lovely book with a completely different message in it! Try catching it up!

The Ripple Effect

All of us go through many ups and downs in our life, facing numerous challenges in different spheres, be it in the form of academics, relationships, career among others. Sometimes we receive applause for our work, criticized and some times we fail in either one or more of these forms. Handling success comes easily, however what do we do when something unexpected, unplanned for happens? I am sure we try to face it with a strong attitude. And carry on with life with a stoic face, only to realise after a period of time what has actually happened. As the time passes by that Void keeps on widening. Ripple by ripple the effects are felt deeper and their consequences become a reality. The realisation of its existence is the first sign of acceptance.
But the good part is, those ripples do fade away and you make peace with them. Wait, here come another one!

Perplexing Thoughts (Flux)

Recently I went to the book fair held in Delhi with mom. Having gone there since my childhood, I realised there is less to benefit from the fair if you go with a fixed set of books/genre on your list, rather explore them with an open mind, you never know what you get your hands on.

So here I was on the first day it self and taking the advantage of the information not yet passed well to the larger general public about the book fair being open to all. Enjoying the experience of going through so many thoughts and words, I had no idea what I was looking for. All of a sudden I find myself standing in front of this whole section of books on investing-in stock market, MFs et al. And the next moment I was going through them and sure enough after a thorough search, I had one in my hand.

Being satisfied that I found something of my interest, I simply saw ma freely going through books and there she picks up a thin 200-page book- Sidhartha, by Herman Hesse. I enjoyed the reading experience of this book, would recommend it to everyone. And, reading the Stock market investment book is another learning experience by itself (a very slow one though!)

Sidhartha is about a life journey of a Brahmin boy, brought up by his loving parents with devotion towards God. The book answered a lot of questions and the importance of the word “OM”, that in order to attain the goal of spiritualism one needs to experience all the ups and downs in life, be it a beautiful relationship with your loved one, or a sour one with your child. You need to experience all sets of emotions to realise that the source is one. That good and evil, heaven and hell, all are one. The distinction is made to simplify things. That the drain and the river go into the same sea.

On one hand, I am reading how to multiply my money by clever investments and on the other hand I am reading about how to avoid the maya as we all call it. And I enjoyed reading both the books, gained a lot spiritually through Sidhartha and mentally through Mr. N.J. Yasaswy’s knowledge about investments. Well the outcome was the decision to join Yoga and a course on stock market investments!