Enchanting Ocean

It was quite late at night when I decided to go for a stroll around the coastal lines, not too far from where I was visiting. I stayed there till morning and like always it made my mind ponder and here I am trying to pen my reflection. I doubt if my words can ever justify the mesmerizing ocean and the inspiration it draws for me. However I will give it a go...

The moon in its full grandeur seemed like a perfectly placed crown. Countless bright stars, sparkled like diamonds crafted on an enchanting veil covering the sky. The never-ending view of this mighty yet tranquil ocean underneath graced the magnificence of our mother earth. Oh, I wanted to be lost in that moment forever.

I sat on the rocks watching the captivating view and more often closing my eyes to feel the fresh air kissing my face. I was hardly over the magic of moon over the ocean when in few hours the first ray of sun grinned through the sky.

With the rising sun my hearts contentment also grew. As if each ray is promising me something new. The bright orange color covered the sky as if casting a spell and transforming everything around it. It made my soul dance in joy.

There is something so magnificent about an ocean, its depth and its unimaginable deeply guarded secrets, about its calm tides and about the music of its dancing waves. It brings tranquility to my soul and all the predicament of my life to a standstill.  As if whispering in my ears to take a deep breath and live the very moment.

The sound of waves judder’s my mind, making me mull about life. How we complicate our existence whilst trying to find happiness in convoluted things when joy is home to such simplicity.

The roaring wave hitting the wall of the shore keeps challenging its heights.  It returns with confidence and fights the rock walls again and again without giving up, proclaiming that no wall is big enough. Nothing can define its limit and no matter how high or tough the barrier is it won’t stop trying. In life we sometimes underestimate our strength when tough times calls. Why do we give up so easily rather than trying harder?

No problem comes without a solution so why surrender. Why to let others define our weakness when we are born to fight.

Where ever my eyes could travel, I could only see the ocean with no end to it. So vast, so powerful and yet its still tides displayed grace and modesty. When success and power comes to us, we find ways to use it and boast about it rather than staying humble.

Why to think low of others or why to judge anyone without walking in their shoes. We should not forget that nothing is forever. We have seen the rise and fall of giant empires and rulers. When time comes even pride kneels down for mercy and history is witness to it whereas humility goes a long way.

Despite its might, ocean never stops giving. It feeds stomachs and provides resources to sustain today’s world though we continue to be mean to it. When we have more than others, why our greed continues to grow? Can’t we try to be selfless like oceans? An act of kindness multiplies joy. Life will remain challenging for most of us but look around and inspiration is not far from us.

May your heart too smile and I hope that the magic of this enchanting oceans fills everyone with hope and motivation. Life is too short to live with fear and worries. 

Happy living my friends. 

Strangely Beautiful

It seems like as if it was just yesterday when I landed for the first time in this country. Miles away from home knowing there was no turning back. I had packed all my dreams and ambitions along with my luggage completely unaware of what was in store for me.

Every day was new and perplexing. From unpredictable weather to astonishing beauty of the nature, from strangers greeting you with a smile to bus service with no conductors, simply everything around was exhilarating.

I was so excited that I almost forgot what I had left behind. Slowly I started getting a hang of my new life. I met so many people along the way. Some came really close and others remained acquaintance. Had countless laughs, some exciting trips and a lot of cooking.

Got to learn to be more independent, learnt value of mom’s cooked food which I would have criticised I don’t know how many times, learnt how important siblings are even though we fought almost every day and how important friends support is.

It’s been over 4 years now. Nothing much has changed or is new except few sad goodbyes, few close people becoming acquaintances and few ongoing lost and found friends. Overall this journey has been strangely beautiful.

I still get amazed at things around me. This journey wasn't a piece of cake but I still consider myself lucky. It’s not perfect for sure but hey who doesn't have complaints.

With all the bad experiences I got better and with all the good ones life got worth every jiffy. Though I still have far to go as I am not close to my goals yet and my bucket list is still not ticked off. I am ready to wait a little more and live my present.

It’s lonely at times and at times I seek isolation and its’ not funny. I have learnt the importance of small things in life but most importantly I have learnt to value my family. I have learnt how life can be unpredictable and we should not take anything or anyone for granted specially our dear ones.

Yesterday is your best teacher and there is always a tomorrow to live for.I must confess that after everything it was and still is strangely beautiful... 

Inspiration Source

The moon in his full glory
Is standing all alone,
defeating the murkiness of the sky,
All bright and dazzling in his throne…

Look, look at those mountains
Standing fearless and audacious like a wall,
Protecting its magnificence,
Challenging every tempest and every squall…

Hear the rivers gushing with confidence
Carrying its grace in every course,
Determined to never turn back
moving on with a strong will to meet it’s shore

From the day the earth was formed
To the day I write these lines,
They are and will always be an inspiration,
So beautiful, so glorious and one of their kinds…

Don’t let your fear win over you
And keep your hopes alive,
Let no failure be an obstacle
as one day victory will surely arrive…

Once upon a time...

I almost stopped writing, there was a time when I used to writes diaries, poems, articles or just anything that used to cross my mind. Or should I say that I used to enjoy expressing my thoughts in form of writing. With time I came too far from my own self. I didn’t even realize when and how so many new things got cropped up. Sometimes I wonder, what am I doing. Where is my life heading to? I guess most of the people I talk to have some kind of complaint in life if not then they are unsatisfied in some way. There was a time when I was contented with my life. What has happened now? Why am I so different now to what I was? Where has all my creativity vanished? Where did my smile disappear which used to come right from my heart? What happened to the collection of my small dreams which made me happy no matter how unrealistic they were? I do know one thing for sure that I can’t blame it on me or anyone I know. It’s all a matter of time, as we all know that time waits for none neither does it stays the same. Everything has an epoch, an age. When I was in junior school I couldn’t wait to go to higher school. When I reached my higher school I desperately wanted to go to the college forsaking my school uniform forever and wear new and different clothes to college everyday. When I finally started with my college I couldn’t wait to wrap up my studies and start earning and living an independent life. I guess whatever I wanted to or wished for is not something unusual or different than what most of us have wanted. It’s been three years since I left my college. I got a job which paid me well but then again I wanted more, I started missing my college and school life as their was no stress in life except studying and getting good marks, in short no hard and fast rules. Or should I say that I was so far from the fakeness and harsh realities of life. Where I had friends with whom no fights lasted for more than a day or two. I still remember those days of my life when I and my friends hardly used to have any money so we used to pool in to buy food or presents for each other. Now I have money to spend but I don’t have those friends. They are lost in the crowd just like me. We are all busy running the race of life trying to survive and get the things we hardly need. I wish to go back in time and hug my friends and family and tell them how precious they are. We never value things we have in abundance like love. When we live at home but we don’t realize the depth of love of our family, I have all the freedom on earth to do things my way as I am continents away from home, here I don’t have my parents to take care of me and my sibling’s to fight for small things. But I miss them all, those restrictions, and those small fights, simply everything. I miss those golden days of my life. But I hardly have any choice. I feel happy recalling those times and looking at the pictures which are like treasure to me now. Try and value small things in life otherwise there would be a time when all you will be left with is going to be just regrets at some points, something which you would wish to change but it might not be possible.

At times there are complaints and at times challenges and sometimes simply smiles and joy. Sometimes there is much of everything and sometimes nothing seems to be enough. Sometimes I feel I am loosing the peace within me but with time which waits for no one I am also hoping for it to pass by like another season. All I am doing is that I am keeping my hopes alive. Everyone says that when our loved ones leaves us they become our guardian angel, with another hope of having my mother always near me and protecting me with her love and prayers I am challenging every sorrow and pain in my life. Sometimes I get worried about loosing me, though the fight is tough but I am not stepping back. Everyday I wake with different thoughts in my mind. At times I feel like breaking down in tears and complain to lord that why was I and my family were chosen to go through this pain and then when I look around I feel that my pain is not much in comparison with many. My dreams and plans have got shaken a bit but I still seek strength from Almighty to prevent them from dying. I don’t know why am I writing all this? But I guess I got a chance to talk to myself after long. This might not be the best conversation but it’s surely not the bad one either, so with a hope against many hopes I am preparing myself to stand strong. I miss you mom and will always do. A small poem dedicated to my mom…

Maa

You taught me how to walk,

You taught me how to speak,

From the moment I opened my eye,

You were there for me like a protective sheet.

I owe you my life,

And every jiffy when I breathe,

Your absence in my life,

Is still so hard to believe.

Memories of you are still so fresh,

Let it be the food that you cooked or the way you dressed,

I miss everything, just everything about you,

Your love, your hugs and you’re pampering too.

No one can love me the way you did,

You sacrificed whole your life for your family and kids,

You will always remain my best friend,

No matter how far you are I won’t let this friendship end,

Why did you leave me and go,

Didn’t you know that I would need you no matter how old I grow?

No festival, no joy will be complete without you,

My chance to do something for you will now always remain due.

I wish I could tell you how much you mean to me,

Give me just one chance mom, look I am on my knee,

You are my dream, my hope and a forever shining light,

You are a song and a poem whose depth I can never ever write.

LOVE

LOVE , TRUELY A MAGICAL WORD..
A FEELING SO DEEP
THAT IT CAN MAKE A PERSON FEEL HEAVEN !!
SO WIDE ,
THAT IT GIVES A PERSON WINGS TO FLY !!!
SO BEAUTIFUL ,
THAT IT MAKES EVEN A FAIRY TALE SOUND REAL !!
SO REAL ,
THAT WE CANNOT SURVIVE WITHOUT IT !!
SO PRECIOUS
THAT ITS WORTH CANNOT BE COMPARED !!
SO SWEET,
THAT IT MAKES OUR LIFE MELODIOUS !!
SO STRONG,
THAT IT BINDS US STRONGLY WITH ONE ANOTHER !!
SO RICH,
THAT IT FILLS OUR LIVES WITH NEVER ENDING JOY !!
SO INNOCENT,
THAT IT MAKES OUR THINKING TRAVEL BEYOND OUR IMAGINATION !!
SO POWERFUL,
THAT IT GIVES US A LONG LASTING SECURITY OF BEING ONE !!
SO SENSITIVE,
THAT WE CANNOT HELP OUR HEARTS IN FRONT OF IT !!
SO ENCOURAGING,
THAT IT GIVES US STRENGTH TO FACE ALL THE TROUBLES TOGETHER !!
SO NATURAL,
THAT ITS EXISTANCE IS FELT EVERYWHERE AROUND US !!
SO SACRED,
THAT IT TEACHES ONLY THE LESSONS OF CARE , TOGETHERNESS,
AND HAPPINESS IN OUR HEARTS FOREVER !!
josmin joseph ( wrote it in my school days)

summer of 2007...

I was about to finish my graduation and was confused like many and not sure about what’s next in my life. Am I going to study? Or am I going to opt for a job? If yes what to really study? Or what kind of job will be good? Well at that moment all I had to do was study for my final exam and leave the rest on time. Finally the day came, our 2007 batch was given a warm farewell, we all clicked pictures with one another, hugged, cried and waived a final goodbye, not sure what fate has decided for us. We might be in touch with each other through phones, emails or facebook but it won’t be the same. We won’t see each other everyday, we won’t get to hang around together and gossip. Now that we were fresh graduates, full of new hopes and new dreams, some of us still had questions looming in our minds, lots of them in fact. But I needed a break and it was going to be a long one. It was May 2007 and in India it’s the beginning of the hottest months of the year, just opposite to New Zealand seasons. I guess it was almost the end of May when I received a call from my regional youth director about going to a place in France known as Taize. It was in relation to an international youth exchange program for three months where I would have to represent the culture of my country along with 8 other representatives from different parts of India. How could I say no for such a beautiful opportunity? So I gave my name in and completed all the formalities that were required on time as. I guess I could, I’d just graduated and I had nothing to do! It was short notice though as I was supposed to fly by 18th of June. Somewhere deep down my heart I was not sure if all the formality and visa work would be done in time but I think luck was in my favor and everything was done smoothly and on time, no hassles at all.
On 16th June exactly two days before my flight I was asked to reach Delhi for an orientation program where I was introduced to other representatives and after two days we were supposed to fly together. The most amazing part was that most of us didn’t speak the same language, now to explain this I must tell you India is a country where we have 18 official languages and approximately 1654 dialects. It was something I never experienced in person where I had to be with people with so many diversities for three months in a foreign land but then all I knew was that I was simply loving it. Finally the big day came and we were all set for a new journey to a new place and to meet new people from all around the world. We travelled for more than 22 hours and here we were in Lyon in France waiting for our ride to Taize. We were welcomed by a young girl and a boy approximately in their early 20’s I guess who were there to pick us up. After what seemed like an age (but was in fact only two hours) we finally reached the place I had been imagining from past one month.
We were again welcomed by a group of sisters (nun) and they offered us hot tea, cookies and muffins. After this overwhelming experience we were showed our rooms. All of us got different rooms and we were supposed to share our rooms with three strangers all from different part of the worlds. The moment I reached my room I was faced with a neat bed with flowers, cookies, fresh towels and a note saying “Welcome Josmin”. Then one by one I met my three other room mates, one was from Argentina, second one from Kenya and my third room mate was from Germany. It was simply a different but a life time experience for me. The second day arrived and we were shown the places around Taize and we participated in different workshops presented by youth of different countries, it was so astonishing. We even got an opportunity to represent our countries culture; we presented few dances, few dramas, songs and number of other things. Everyone watched us with great interest and appreciated our effort and asked us various questions related to our workshop.
As the time passed my roommate and I as well as all the representatives became good friends. There were hundred’s of international representatives living there for three months with the same purpose. We all became like one big family, we almost knew everyone and we would meet in Church in the morning, afternoons and evening. We would share our stories; laughter’s, joys and sorrows while sipping our tea or while having food. We all worked in different areas such as exposition, kitchen, laundry, cleaning, tents, church or choir almost everything and trust me I never ever had such fun. Working together was so much fun and it was a new way of learning to live in a close community. Everyone was different in different ways, be it language, food habits, culture, thinking or living but still we all were together, so united and there was no room for discrimination of any kind.
The time passed by, slowly people started to leave to return, back to where they came from. But I didn’t realize how time actually went by. In fact for us the worst thing to do there was to say goodbye to our friends whom we were not sure of meeting ever again in life. I didn’t miss my family and friends much since I was there as I actually got a new family in Taize, where every day was a miracle, where no one cared who is rich and who is poor, who is good looking and who is not, who is educated and who is not, who is of high status and who is not, who is a looser and who is a winner, everyone understood each other in spite of the fact that no one spoke the same language as the language of love is never difficult to be understood. Whenever I had a tear in my eye I would get a warm hug from my friends, there was always a sincere care and love for another for nothing, expecting nothing in return. I was away from all the worries, all the tensions and materialistic love and I was happy from the core of my heart and most importantly my mind was at peace. Finally the day for us to return was near, and two nights before that we were given a warm farewell, we exchanged sovereigns, danced, took lots of pictures and thanked one another for all the love and care. The next day I and all the Indian representatives packed their bags for the flight next morning and spent the last night with others in the church praying and together.
Finally the time came, everyone got up early in the morning to say bye to us, for the last time we cried together, hugged each other and said goodbye with a heavy heart. Its been two years since I came back from that magical place but the memories are still fresh, I still miss every moment I spent there, I miss everyone I met there as I never got such friends again, I am still in touch with most of them and I don’t where rest of them are and how they are, I still email when my friend from Taize whenever I my heart is disturbed with any reason, I wish to go back there and meet each and every person again, I know its not possible but I still want to keep my hope alive. I have spent three months in Taize and I said everyday was a special day so I cant put everything in words but all I want to say while ending my notes is that life is beautiful and its just the way you make it for yourself and others around you, so make it good.