" Born to rule"

Short story by Juju’s Pearls



There is thunderstorm, lightening is playing hide and seek with dark grey clouds loaded with rain waiting for a fierce outpour. The winds are blowing crazily to sweep away the heavy clouds. In the middle of a remote village, a tiny lamp is swaying and trying it’s best to keep the flame burning. A young lady, Regina is in labor pain, about to deliver. The local village doctor is trying his best to do the procedure in the hut. There is water everywhere and winds are lashing at high speeds. It seems like a near impossible task. “Where there is a will, there is a way” is a famous saying. Praying to almighty, all three of them pledge for a positive outcome. The doctor and her husband, Richard helps her in pushing. She is nearing exhaustion and almost on the verge of giving up, when her husband gently presses her hand and says, ‘Dear, just one more effort.” The lady closes her eyes and cries out loudly into the wild dark night. Suddenly, there is cry of a baby. Finally, the mission has been accomplished and a baby girl takes birth in the small hut on that dark rainy stormy night in a remote village.

Next morning is bright and sunny. Many of the huts have been blown away by the storm, people are stranded, their cattle have gone missing and everywhere, there is hue and cry. Regina’s husband takes a decision to shift to his uncle’s house in city. He packs up whatever little things they have and set off in their bullock cart towards village. Near the river, the get down to refill their drinking water. As Regina alights from the cart, she hears a whispering sound. It seems as though someone is chanting something. She picks up her daughter and goes in the direction from where sound is coming. Gradually, the chanting becomes louder. She reaches a big tree underneath which a hermit is sitting chanting religious excerpts from books. As he senses her approaching, the hermit opens his eyes wide and commands her to stop in her path. He gets up from his meditation position and walks towards her. He touches her daughter feet and starts crying aloud. Regina is confused and in a state of shock. She asks the reason for such behavior. The hermit calms down and remarks,” All this while, we have been waiting for this pious soul to take birth in human form. She will lead and make this planet a harmonious place to live.”

Regina shrugs and replies, ‘Then why are you crying, oh learned sage?”

Hermit replies, ‘ Because, I won’t be alive till then, to witness this grand moment which will lead to transformation of mankind and will go in history as one of the most memorable era.” With this, the hermit leaves and starts walking towards north east direction.

Richard returns with water to his cart. On finding his cart empty, he starts screaming aloud, walks towards the forest. There he sees his wife walking towards him with their daughter in her arms. The radiance is around his daughter’s head. Their daughter is smiling. Regina shares the prophecy of the hermit and describes her meeting as an exceptional moment. Shrugging his shoulders, Richard takes his daughter and walks towards the cart to continue their onward journey. After two days, they reach his uncle’s house. They promise to keep this prophecy as a secret.

Years pass by, Richard’s hard work and motivation helps in getting a good job. Soon, he starts his own workshop. Life is comfortable and the prophecy is deep buried their minds. Their daughter, Rachael is a bright child who is happy and joyful. She is hard working and has a sharp intelligent quotient. Her warm and caring nature makes her win hearts. She always plays around with everyone. Her understanding of body language of birds and animals leaves everyone dumbstruck. The flying birds rest on her shoulder in a carefree way. The pet animals seem to understand her language. Rachel is everyone’s favorite. 

Once, while returning from school, she witnesses a bad road traffic accident. Lot of people gather but none is willing to help the injured people. She rushes to the site and offers help. After lot of motivation, few people come forward to help the injured and take them to hospital for treatment. Her timely intervention leads to saving of lives of injured people. After this incident, Rachael withdraws into her shell. Something inside her transforms. She decides to search the reason for this lack of empathy amongst human beings towards their fellow beings.

Seeing their daughter change in behavior, Regina reminds Richard of the prophecy. The more they try to dissuade their daughter, the more firm she becomes in her resolve. Finally, she decides to leave the house in search of empathy. Her parents are heartbroken as their only child had renounced the world. However, accepting it as a will of God they promise to support her in every possible way. Somehow, they persuade her to stay with them till she finds her new path.

Rachael goes into a silence retreat and starts meditating. She had learnt from her teachers that “All that you seek outside is within us. God has created a masterpiece by the name of human being.” After days of meditating , Rachael attains enlightment. Her aura is so divine that it radiates in all directions. Regina sees an unusual bright light emanating from Rachael’s room. She calls her husband Richard. Together, they move quietly towards their daughter’s room. The door is wide open. Rachael is sitting cross legged in meditative posture and a bright aura is radiating around her head. Suddenly, the hermit’s prophecy flashes in Regina’s mind. Her daughter had attained the supreme level of spirituality. Rachael opens her eyes and smiles on seeing her parents. Her parents bow their heads in front of her. The image they see now of Rachael is no longer of their daughter but that of a learned hermit.

Rachael sets out on her new path of compassion and empathy. Gradually, her followers increase in numbers. After few years she becomes a world renounced spiritual leader with her centers in almost every nook and corner of the world. Her parent’s efforts to give her a normal childhood could not stop her from becoming what was written in her destiny. Her parents move back to their old remote village. Rachael’s organization adopts the village and brings about reforms and changes in terms of building concrete roads, giving good connectivity to city, hospital with world class infrastructure, a school and college etc. 

Every year, Rachael returns to her village on her birthday to be with her parents. Regina can see the hermit’s smiling face in the sky giving blessings to her daughter.

 

Fertilized eggs- The future of human race

 Short story by Juju's Pearls

I love myself !thought Adriane. She was her own favorite and always fantasized about having her own replicas. What a beautiful world it will be? With so many fun loving Adriane’s in this universe, what a wonderful this blue planet will be! With these thoughts in her mind, she rushed out of shower. Quickly blow dried her hair, grabbed the first T-shirt and rushed downstairs juggling with her jeans and missed the last step and boom and thud! She fell flat of the ground. Her younger brother, an ace baseball player threw a cushion from the living room sofa, Adriane’s face safely landed on the cushion and she was saved by few centimeters. Their mother came running out of the kitchen and sighed, “Adriane dear, I know yet another idea has come into your mind and you are in extreme hurry to reach your laboratory. Please try to reach in one piece as an idea without a head is of no use.” Her brother giggled. She made a crossed face and went upstairs to change her dress. Inwardly, she was working on her idea of time capsule and she was just close to finish it.

After half an hour, she walked downstairs with her head held high and an air of perfection. She sat on the breakfast table. Her favorite fruit juice and scrambled eggs were in front of her in her plate. As soon as her eyes saw eggs, immediately her face lit up and she knew the day was not very far when she would release her time capsule. She gulped the juice and packed her breakfast. Kissing her mother on forehead, she picked up her car keys and was on her way to laboratory. Her cell phone rang. She was so busy in her mind that no other sound was audible to her. As she parked her car in the parking, she picked up her phone to see at least ten missed calls from her professor.

She rushed and went straight to his chamber. Dr. Kohler saw her through his monocle, forehead full of creases. Obviously, he seemed worried. Drumming his fingers on his table, he paused, inhaled and exhaled. After exactly sixty seconds, which seemed liked eternity, He opened his mouth, “So, Dr. Adriane, where do we stand right now? We are almost in the last phase of our trial. What do you think we should put in time capsule? There is immense pressure from the government and we are on the verge of running out of funds. We have to release this time capsule within next eight weeks.”

It was Adriane’s turn to create a more tensed atmosphere. She took her time and slowly smiled,” Professor, I know what we need to put in the time capsule.”

Professor replies “Let me hear you out my dear doctor.”

Adriane smiled and said, ‘Dr. Kohler, we will put fertilized human eggs from people in different fields. The whole idea is to have the best lot of humans in future.”

Dr. Kohler removed his monocle and looked up, “Now, what is your criterion of best human eggs?”

Adriane replies, “I have a full work up plan for the same. Let’s first get assurance from the government. After that, we will pick up at least five best persons in terms of health, intelligence, looks etc ,from each field of work and call them for assessment. After short listing, we will run the data in our software. The computer will make permutation and combination. By this we will have a list of best eggs and sperms of human race. The major question which will arise is the consent part. I have created a presentation, which will focus on the benefits of this whole procedure. Initially, we will keep hundred fertilized eggs in different stages of development in one time capsule. I have another plan. We need to build a bigger time capsule, which can accommodate fifteen to twenty human from different spheres of work. The smaller time capsule will be created first followed by larger capsule.”

There is pin drop silence as both look at each other. They exchange glances. Adriane’s worst fears seem to come true. She was afraid that Professor will reject her idea out rightly. Adriane slowly takes her laptop and gets up.

As she reaches for the doorknob,

Professor Remarks, “So, Doctor who are you planning to call upon first?"

With tears in her eyes and expression of disbelief, she cries aloud, “Do you believe in me?”

“Cent percent” comes the reply from Dr. Kohler, he continues,” The real challenge is how to convince the Governor and then people. And, how soon you can start?”

“Sir, we can start immediately and I promise you that we will do it successfully as long as we work as a team,” replies Adriane.

With a sense of accomplishment, she goes to café. The scrambled eggs have started giving out a fishy odor and find themselves in waste bin. Adriane picks up a cup of black coffee and starts working on her presentation. After working nonstop for many hours, she makes a convincing presentation.

Meanwhile Dr. Kohler fixes up an appointment with the Governor. Finally the day comes when their team’s hard work of decade will be presented for Government’s approval. Keeping fingers crossed, Adriane starts off it a motivating manner and manages to capture the attention of everyone throughout. After concluding, the house is made open for question and answers. There are no questions; everyone seems to be in a state of stupor. Dr. Kohler clears his throat loudly to break the silence. The Governor comes to his senses and remarks, “Dr. Kohler, how soon can you start with the selection procedure? This seems to be noble cause as far as human race is concerned. Darwin’s theory is “ Survival of the fittest “ yet another theory says, only the species which adapt to change will survive. Your time capsule will prove both. ‘

He further elaborates, ‘Please, send a quote of how much more funds does your laboratory needs? I will get it sanctioned at the earliest.”

The gathering disperses. There is a feeling of celebration in the lab.

Dr. Kohler invites Adriane next morning and asks, “So doctor whose eggs will be first on the list?”

Adriane smiles and replies in affirmative, “Obviously mine Sir!”

With this, she barges out of the office with a sense of pride in her heart and a smile that finally in her dream project, a part of her will travel as the first passenger.

Lavender Love

 Short story by Jujus Pearls

God has bestowed us with a wonderful sensory system. All the five senses play a pivotal role in our lives and are connected with our emotions and certain situations, be it happy or sad. Sharon was a preterm baby. Her mother delivered her during her seventh month of pregnancy. She stayed in neonatal intensive care unit for two months and was discharged once she weighed two kilograms. She was born after a gap of twenty years of marriage. So, in this way she was a special child. Her mother was devoted and gave up her job to raise her. Her mother wore a particular lavender fragrance and Sharon used to find warmth and security in that smell. She felt her mother’s presence nearby. Gradually she gained strength and was at par with children of her age. After completing her schooling, she enrolled in a university across the other coast of country. After graduation and masters, she joined a Doctorate program. Contact with her parents decreased as she was riding uphill of success and her parents were treading downhill in the journey of life. 

Sharon started enjoying her life and gradually started drifted towards the ills of society. Once she was arrested for driving while drinking too. On her parents, golden jubilee anniversary celebrations, her parents, she celebrated with full enthusiasm, seeks forgiveness for her irresponsible behavior. With a promise to be in regular touch, she flies back. Her parents were overjoyed by her mere presence and did not disclose the terminal stage cancer her mother was fighting with. Her mother’s deteriorating health troubled her father and he called up Sharon. After unsuccessful attempts, he left a voice mail message to contact him immediately. His wait stretched into weeks and one day his wife got defeated in the fight with cancer. He was devastated and full of remorse. After so much difficulty, his wife had born Sharon, their only child and his wife died waiting for her. Honoring the promise with his wife, he sent message to Sharon to come home taking the very next flight.

His wife had taken the promise that her body would be buried only after Sharon arrives. The whole house should smell of her favorite lavender fragrance, no one should break this sad news to Sharon until she arrives and sees for herself. Sharon called back and informed about her travel plans. When she reached her hometown, she felt a feeling of anguish and sadness. The driver was waiting for her. With head bowed, he kept her luggage and silently drove towards home. Sharon’s attempts to break the silence failed. As she reached her Porsche, she saw swarm of people with sad expressions. Her heart pumped louder and louder. Slowly, she opened the main door; the same lavender fragrance hit her. This had a calming effect for she was relieved that her mother was nearby. She felt the same security and comfort as she gad felt in her childhood. Paving way amongst relatives, her eyes searched for her parents especially her father. Inwardly, she was feared the worst. Suddenly, she saw her father in a somber mood in one corner. She hugged him from behind and almost yelled, “Dad, where is mom?” Her father turned his face towards left side and pointed his index finger of right hand towards the lawn. Sharon rushed outside. The lawn scene swept the ground underneath her feet. She saw a glass chamber. A woman in bridal dress was inside in sleeping posture. Her feet seemed to stick to ground. With great effort she inched her foot one by one towards the coffin. There were lavender plants everywhere – English and French variety- her mothers favorite. Inside, she knew what she was going to see. She ran towards the chamber and slid the cover open. There, inside the chamber, her mother was lying in a peaceful poise with a piece of paper in her hand.

Suddenly, she felt a hand on her left shoulder; she turned and hugged her father. All the while she was running around in making a life for herself that she forgot her parents were growing old and they might need her. Feeling of remorse and bitterness engulfed her and she started weeping loudly. Her father comforted her and asked her to read the last letter by her mother. With trembling hands she opened it. Her mother had written a beautiful paragraph for her.

Dear Sharon,

We waited for twenty long years before God blessed us with you. With your birth, I felt complete and it gave me a purpose of life. Our lives revolved around you. We know you were embarrassed at times during your parent teachers meeting because we looked older than other young parents. We always wanted you to have a flight of your own and build a nest wherever you wanted to. In this process, I forgot to mention that when a bird flies away, she knows about her nest and where to come back. Your nest is in our arms, our house where you grew up. Each and every nook and corner has a story to tell. I stopped your father in letting you know about my cancer – terminal stage when you visited us on our Golden Jubilee anniversary. I always wanted to leave this world with you smiling face as my memory. Please forgive your father. He was honoring my promise. I got lavender plants planted in our lawn so that whenever you come home to visit your father, you should always feel me. Please forgive me for hiding my illness. I love you my darling daughter for you made my life worth living. God always bless you,

Love,

Mom.

Sharon read the letter umpteen times, sat with the plants, touched them with her finger. She felt connected as if her mother had left her mortal coil only. Her mother was everywhere in this fragrance

It was time to bury her mother. She walked with her father and laid her mother’s coffin to rest. With her father, they planted lavender plants near the grave with a message: ‘Laid to rest only in physical form, her fragrance spreads in all direction. love, Sharon and Dad.”

After the church ceremony, she went back to west coast. She shifted her base to her hometown and started living with her father. Having tea together in the lawn with lavender fragrance in the morning air entering their nose reminds her that her mother is nearby and giving them company.

"Do you love me !"

 Short story by Jujus Pearls



High school reunion – These three words cast a magic spell. It’s a moment of celebration, which many a hearts yearn for, and do preparations for the same. For few, it’s a happy trip down the memory lane. For some, it’s an occasion to be completely avoided. There is one class of middle benchers who are happy go lucky kind of souls who end up everywhere.

Steve was a healthy boy who was a favorite of his kindergarten teachers. He was good in academics and took part in all extra-curricular activities. He was popular in class. As puberty changes started, he developed a liking for girls and wanted to spend more time with them. Gradually he started withdrawing from his boys group. His keen interest in girl talks and their pubertal changes irked many of his class mates. A complaint was lodged with the class teacher. Steve was left with a strict warning and was ordered to stay with the boys of the class. From a happy, focused child, he became a withdrawn introvert. To take things in control, his parents changed his school. But his heart was in his old school. He took admission again in next session. This time he seemed confident and happy. He had long hair, just like pop stars and always smiled. Pubertal changes were missing in him, which normally happens in boys of his age. He had silky smooth facial skin and there was no sign of nay beard/ moustache. Everyone labels him as a case of delayed puberty and never bothered him. High school period came to an end. Everyone exchanged their slam books, and left with a promise to be in touch for the rest of their lives.

Fast forward, ten years. In some place is western world, a glamorous top model walks down the fashion show ramp with utmost grace and poise. The crowd is cheering madly and calling her name “Stevie”. Suddenly, the journalist (Alan) in the first row who is there to cover the fashion show wakes up from his trance. This name sounds familiar. He scratches his head and fails to remember and pin point the connection. The next model walks down the ramp and so on the show goes on. At the post show dinner, he meets with Stevie and is totally bestowed by her beauty. There is a sense of faint familiarity. Thinking it to be alcohol after effect, the journalist goes home. Before going home, he exchanges his mobile number with Stevie.

Next morning, Alan wakes up with a severe headache and is unable to get Stevie out of his mind. He prepares black coffee and sits on his working desk. Scrolling through internet, he is unable to procure information beyond ten years. This sets him thinking, that there was some mysterious past of Stevie. The more he tries to kick Stevie out of his mind; the thought comes back like a boomerang. He makes up his mind to dig out the past. He starts dating Stevie over coffee or movies. Somehow, Alan is unable to go beyond the dry good night. He is more determined and decides to check her apartment in her absence. On a routine coffee visit to her house, he manages to get her house keys impression and gets a duplicate key made. Once she is away on a weekend shoot to a distant place. Alan stealthily enters her house and begins his search. There is no record of her childhood/ school days. As he was about to abandon his search, an old album drops form the top shelf. Immediately, he recognizes it to be his school album. He glances through school class pictures. He is spellbound by what he sees. This was his class picture. He could recognize himself, but there was no face similar to Stevie. Alan takes out his magnifying glass and scans through all children faces. He finds a striking resemblance with Steve. Chain of thoughts cloud his mind, is she Steve’s twin sister or is she Steve himself?

He stumbles, gets up and leaves the house. A notification icon on his mobile breaks his trance. There is a mail from High school Alumina group informing about the high school reunion in a week’s time, Alan is perplexed by the recent discovery. He texts Stevie, requesting her to be his date for the reunion. There is no reply. He impatiently waits for Stevie’s return. Unable to hold the suspense any longer, Alan goes to the airport arrival lounge to pick Stevie. She seems visibly impressed by his gesture and smiles. They drive to a nearby restaurant for lunch. Alan pops up the question about his high school reunion. She stops eating in the middle and excuses herself to go the restroom. She goes to her house. Alan patiently waits for half an hour at the lunch table. He requests the lady staff to check the ladies restroom. To his dismay, there is no one in the restroom. For the next few days, he is unable to contact Stevie as she had blocked him.

His fears seem to be coming true. He gathers all his courage and goes to see her at her house. After much perusal, she opens the main door. The sight Alan sees is heart rendering. Stevie is standing in front of him with swollen eyes, her eye makeup had smudged all over her cheek, her hair was unkempt and she was sobbing. His heart tore and he hugged her tightly in his embrace. Slowly she looks up and remarks, “Alan, I had a crush on you since kindergarten. Do you remember Steve? The boy who enjoyed Girl Company, changed school, returned back and became an introvert!”

 Alan was silently listening, waiting for her to continue and complete. She continued, “Alan I am Steve! Do you still love me?”The ground below Alan’s feet seemed to give way and he lost his balance. His eyes popped out in disbelief, “Stevie, you are the same old Steve, now a top model! Oh gosh! I fear this.”

There was a period of few minutes’ silence which seemed like eternity. Finally, Alan spoke, “So, that’s the reason you were avoiding the High school reunion? Now I understand your inhibition. Well, I respect this and promise that we will never let the past spoil our present. Will you be my date Stevie for the high school reunion? “

Stevie smiles shyly and gives an affirmative answer. Post dinner, she reveals about the difficulties she faced due to her inclination towards being a female. So, she left her hometown and settled in distant place. Got her required surgery and gave herself a new identity. Both of them locked their hands and looked up to God. High school reunion here we come, Alan with his date Stevie. Identity of Steve was left out and everyone enjoyed reunion. Alan was eager to show off his most beautiful date. Stevie never wanted to be recognized as Steve and enjoyed as his date.

The Emotional Rising

 Original Short story by Jujus Pearls

Just like a tsunami slashes and disrupts whatsoever, who sever comes its way; similarly, an insight into our past causes a blast in our present.

A dynamic, enthusiastic, young girl in her mid thirties is the new entrepreneur holding a high position in a multinational company. With head held high, looking up at the sky, she seems to skid on the ground. Lady luck is shining bright and on her side. After all, she worked really hard with grit and determination to be at the position she is in. Despite limited resources, she climbed up the ladder of success, much to astonishment of her colleagues. Soon, she was the new Vice President of the leading law firm.

One day she received a letter from an unknown source dated twenty years ago. Moments of suspense followed as she slowly opened the seal. There was a birth certificate from a government hospital in distant town. Her hands trembled as she slid out the certificate with a covering letter. She recognized her mother’s handwriting instantaneously. Her mother had addressed the letter to her. The letter read as,

Dear daughter,

If you are reading this letter, it means I have left for the heavenly abode. I pray to God that you must have achieved whatever you always wanted to achieve and must be riding the success wave. (Tears started rolling down her cheeks. She knelt down and started crying loudly. This Christmas, she had made plans to reunite with her mother and reconcile. Now this letter was like a direct hard slap on her face. Restoring her courage she continued reading).

Sarah, my daughter! Do you remember, I used to buy toys in twin sets? And you used to ask me the reason. Well darling, the truth is, I gave birth to twins. Yes, Sarah! You have a brother who also happens to be your twin. God had other plans for him. Sam, your twin brother was born with Down’s syndrome and needed special care. Your father was not willing to keep him and we had continuous fights over this issue. One fine day, when I was nursing you, my mere six months old angel, your father snatched you from my arms and stormed out of the house. I did not see him after that. Some common friends used to give me news about you. I was left all alone with Sam. Life had hit a rough patch and unwillingly, I had to give Sam in orphanage for children with special needs. I came to know that you always despised your mother for she left you when you were six months old. Sarah, my love, please remember your mother always thought about you every living second. I thought of explaining all this twenty years ago, when you were in High school. Do you remember my love? Your father once again intervened and you left without looking back. I had given this letter to your father. I know the letter never reached as you never contacted me.

I wrote another letter and kept it safe with my lawyer with instructions that it should reach you when I am no more. So, you see, I never did any wrong to you or your brother. Situation was difficult and this was best I could do as a teenage mother. My lawyer will get in touch with you to hand over my house (my sole possession) and my car keys to you. You will see a twin admirah in my room named Sarah and Sam. All the gifts for the last thirty years are there for both of you. This birth certificate will stand by my truth. You can ask your father too. He will explain the whole truth. Please forgive your mother and your brother Sam. I am writing down address of the Orphanage where Sam lives. Now he is the General Manager of that orphanage.

If you can forgive me in this lifetime, my darling, please arrange a prayer meet in the church after my funeral, so that I may rest in peace. Please bring Sam along, and your father too if he willingly drops his anger towrads me.

Please remember, mom always loves you, remembers you and is always proud of you every single moment.

Love,

Mrs. Smith (Your mother).

By now Sarah was unconsolable. She had always thought that her mother her left her for greener pastures. This story was told by her father since childhood and endorsed by her paternal grandparents. When her father was fighting for his life last year when he was diagnosed with brain tumor, he was often seen mumbling, “I am paying for my sins! God please forgive me. “He had stopped recognizing her, used to call her Sam. Gradually, he lost his speech coherence. Her last memory was of her father’s finger pointing towards the sky and seeking forgiveness with folded hands. Thereafter his soul left his body.

This letter was like an electric jolt Sarah. All these years she had hated her mother for leaving her as an infant. Now the truth was clear in front of her eyes. She could visualize the entire life her mother might have had to face, being a single parent and later being single. She wiped her tears, read the birth certificate. A feeling of bliss and happiness ran from head to toe. In this very moment she forgave her mother and father. Both had their own reasons and behavior responses.

She placed the letter and certificate inside the envelope carefully. She cancelled her meeting schedule for the whole next week and booked a flight to the city where the orphanage was. As soon her aircraft landed, her heart started pounding at the mere thought of meeting her won brother. This feeling of “I am not all alone ‘, gave her immense power. The airport taxi was waiting at the pickup counter. She settled and let the wheels of the car take charge. City roads gave way to countryside roads, lush green trees and bushes swayed with gentle wind as if playing. Sun rays played hide and seek. Slowly, the taxi maneuvered through the curvaceous path and she found herself right in front of the orphanage.

Gathering courage, she asked for way to General Manager’s room. The bell boy smiled and said, “We all knew you will come one day. Sorry to know about Mrs. Smith’s loss.” Sarah was taken aback. As she entered the room, the chair rotated and she felt as if she was in front of the mirror. Sam was an identical twin. Sam gave a confused expression. He exclaimed, “Sarah, my little sister, not so little now.”

Sarah felt an ocean of emotions and heaviness in her heart as if her chest would explode. She regained her calmpose and hugged her brother. She felt complete. What life could not do, death had done.

Bidding a farewell to Orphanage, she flew back with Sam. They rested their mother,s coffin near their father’s grave with a message, “Life kept them apart, united by death: Mr. & Mrs. Smith." The prayer meet was attended by family and friends. Sarah felt her mother smiling from the abode of Lord.

Sam went back to the Orphanage and she continued with her work in the city. Both look forward to celebrating Christmas at their mother’s house.

The mere act of opening of one letter from the past changed Sarah’s attitude and life in that present moment forever. 

The Happiness Bubble

 Happiness Bubble

Over the past four decades, I have realized that we all live in our own minds and create a bubble which acts like a shock absorber in adverse situations of our lives.

I often used to discuss with my mother that she would portray her life as perfect and happy. She would praise her children, grand children, relatives and everyone associated with her. For her ( my mom), her husband was the best, her children and their spouses were excellent and everyone loved her and respected her. I would often remark, ‘Mom, things are not so perfect as you say so!”. She would gently ignore and reply, “ My life is blissful and God has been very kind with me always.” This continued for some years till few months before she left on her higher journey.

On a routine short visit to Delhi, over evening tea, I told my father, “ Popsie, mom lives in a make belief world where everything is perfect . Why doesn,t she face the reality ?” My Popsie replied, “Your mother is happy, why do you want to disturb her? She is in a positive, gratitude state of mind.”

Momsie came with tea, her usual smiling self and we all sipped tea in pure bliss. After this short conversation, I never ever brought up this topic with my mother and I am happy about it. She left few months later.

Seasons changed, years flew by. It,s been almost 63 months ever since my mother left. Now this same thought resurfaced. Every time, I speak to my father, he is always happy and contented, all praise for everyone. For him, his life is perfect and he feels blessed and thankful every single moment. I was on the verge on making the same mistake about showing him the harsh reality. Some unseen force held me back tightly. It seemed as if my mother was conveying from the parallel world , “ Raju, your dad is happy, let him be, why do you want to break his happiness bubble! Everyone lives in a bubble in their minds. It is very important for their emotional and mental security. Never ever puncture anyone,s happiness bubble.”

My lips curved and smile came on my face. I have a happiness bubble too.

I pray to almighty that, nobody,s happiness bubble gets punctured. Lets all stay afloat in our bubbles, bouncing higher in our lives whenever we hit a rough patch.

Love,

Juju.

The Last Promise

The Last Promise

There are promises, which we take when we solemnize the marriage. Another promise, when we see our first born and so on. Have you realized one continues to make promises during different spheres of life – sometimes with oneself, at other times with someone else or with the outer world. The authenticity of one,s life can be measured by the number of promises one honors and not makes !

Day in, day out, we are making promises, its time to wonder and question oneself – “ How many of them have we honored ?”How soon we reach the sunset of our lives, one never realizes till it,s time to bid good bye. Lucky are those who have this much time to see their final destination. For many, life is snatched untimely, accidentally and suddenly.

Whatever you want to do, please go ahead and do it. When I was about to start my college journey, besides a lot of many advises, my father gave me one very important pearl which I have kept safely. The advise was, “More than the failure, what hurts more is the regret of not doing it . I wish and pray that you try whatever you aspire for, if you fail, it s not a bad idea as you will be spared of the regret of not trying, when you are in your forties. At the maximum, the worst outcome will be failure. If you don’t try, then as it is you have lost it. Go ahead and try.”  This gave me immense strength and power. I was armed with my parent’s wishes and God and books as my soul mates as I set on this worldly journey.

Drop the excuses, start honoring your promises and witness the infinite power of your mind and soul. Let every promise, be like your last promise. Unburden your heart here and now.

The last promise my momsie took from my popsie was to be strong as she was handing over her duties to him. To take care of himself well, so that their children could focus on their goals, to dress her like a bride during her last journey as he had brought her into the house, when they got married. The beautiful bond of more than fifty four years was concluded with this last promise. To this day, popsie is honoring this promise in full faith and spirits. At times, he does feel tired and requests her that he wants to join her. My momsie, strong determined lady, discourages him and says, ‘ Our children need you more, I am fine , don’t worry !”.

As I write the concluding part of my first book as “An Ode to my momsie”, tears get dried up in my eyes as I am reminded of my last promise.

Love,

Juju

A lot can happen over tea# Tea time sermons!

A lot can happen over tea# Tea time sermons!

Tea is my household is a ritual. The aroma of brewing tea in the pot at my mother,s house early mornings spreads a magic spell. That first tea which my mother made for my father and for us too had an altogether divine taste. We would get up early morning just to sit with my parents and sip tea. Going to sleep afterwards is another story. Usually, our little discussions were like sermons with either a moral at the end or a thought to ponder upon.

Having lived a beautiful life for more than four and half decades on this blue planet, I find it a moral duty to share, what I have learnt. Discussions between parents and children are very essential for over all development of this relation. Confidence is instilled in children and they develop a thinking mind. Sharing one,s (refer to parents ) own childhood/college days experiences is the magical key which opens any communication lock. An authentic share always strikes a chord. By the time, one is ready to face this world, one should be armed with all the knowledge. Experience will be individual as no two experiences can ever be the same.

I always believe to understand life one should befriend philosophy too. It gives just the right amount of flavor. Reading books by recommended authors is a must in the path of spiritual growth. Many years ago, I did Landmark course – basic, advanced and SELP       (self experience learning program). The mool mantar (most important composition) is something which we all know and have been taught by our parents. Sir Deepak Chopra,s 21 day meditation course, Robin Sharma,s wise books, Rhonda Byrne,s Secret, Chicken Soup for the soul by Mark Victor and Jack Canfield (to name a few) have been like a multi- vitamin supplement for nourishment of my soul.

If one goes in depth of any new idea of yesteryears like Buddhism and so on, one realizes the work needs to be done at core level. One can only work on oneself. All that we seek outside is already within us. Live life beautifully, fully and create your own life. Happy soul searching!

Find your own magical key!

Take Care,

Juju.

Inner Engineering# Sadhguru

Inner Engineering# Sadhguru

There comes a point in every one,s life, which defines the point of arrival in the journey of life. The questions – Who am I? What is the purpose of my life? What do I want? If such questions keep coming up in your mind, I bet you must be on one of the paths of spirituality.  

Just like every building has a foundation, similarly every concept/ theory has a basis. It takes many years before theories are tried and then either accepted or rejected. A abstract base always intrigues the mind and keep on bouncing back and forth in our lives. Scientific base always takes time to percolate and is there to stay.

Inner engineering by Sadhguru appeals to a scientific mind. The mechanics of life, acceptance, ways of living and creating life are dealt in a step by step manner in a scientific way. Many of the cobwebs are dusted and what remains is a clear shining mind. Let,s not go into detail of heart, mind and brain. Out of these three, mind is the powerhouse.  There are seven sessions of nearly ninety minutes each. The coherence and flow is so magical that one cannot leave in between.

God created human beings and kept all the tools inside as a safety measure. Now, the search is on and outside. Let,s take time to dwell upon inside and discover the tools.  

Happy inner engineering # worth a try.

Take Care,

Juju.

RAJYOG MEDITATION- My experience # my words

Rajyog Meditation- My experience#my words:

Having tried different roads to progress on path of spiritual journey, Brahmakumari,s has been one of my favorite route. The very concept of Rajyog Meditation has intrigued me since many years. After two failed attempts whereby, I left this course midway, finally I could do it few days ago. The whole concept is on thought process. It teaches us to give positive affirmations to your mind and tune it in that bandwidth.

In Art of Living by Sri Sri Ravi Shankarji, the crux is on breath. In Rajyog, the crux is on thought. It’s a seven days program with a daily devotion of pure sixty minutes. The whole concept of soul and its inherent powers is explained in a story form. During the program, there is self realization that, all that we seek outside, is already within us.

God has created a master piece in form of human being. Human mind is most powerful reserve on this planet Earth, whose potential has not yet been tapped to even a respectable level. Everything starts in one, s mind. Once the seed of thought is sowed, the same plant is bound to grow. One should be very careful in sowing seeds. All the positive thoughts will elevate to a higher orbit whereas, negative thoughts will pull you with force into an empty well (the depth of which is not yet determined).

As we cleanse our body every day, it,s is imperative to clean our mind too. One is never taught about mental cleansing, all the effort is on the outside. As one faces the challenges of life, many of us are left in search of the correct path. For those in pursuit of inner peace and spiritualism, life seems to be dual faced – simple yet complex. As one grows from infancy to childhood to adolescence to young age, unknowingly, our soul gets covered by unwanted layers. It,s a gradual process. So, removing the layers will also take time. Have patience, practice Rajyog meditation. The stress is on – “Being your own king (Raja jaisa yog karo- practice yog like a king)”.

This is a continuous process, ongoing throughout the day in which one tends to give a positive thought for a day as the day dawns. Every hour or so, one should remind oneself of this affirmation (even if for 5-10 seconds). This is not of one week duration, rather a lifelong process. This, when repeated regularly becomes ingrained as our value. Gradually, as one progresses on this path, with each thought as task for the day, the soul shines in its original form- The light is so striking, pure and blinding.

Just as we cleanse our body daily, it,s crucial to clean our soul too.

Happy soul cleansing! Follow the path of spirituality.

Create your yog like a king# Rajyog meditation.

Take Care,

Juju

The Journey Inside

The Journey Inside

We have heard phrases like, “Pen is mightier than the sword”, “Tongue lashes more hurt than a whip”, “An ant can make a mighty elephant cry “etc. This holds true in current times too. What no one could do, a virus of approximate size of 120 nm (.12um) has done to mankind. What was lost to the outside world under the umbrella of progress and development, this tiny virus has reversed the trend. No guesses! it’s the inward trend or the journey inside.

I heard a story during my childhood days.  When God created man, he took extreme care and diligently worked on this masterpiece. When God was about to complete, happiness came running and pleaded to God, “God please assign me a safe place, as I am always under threat by hatred, jealousy and sadness.” God thought for a while and exclaimed, “Well! as you are the most valuable asset, I will place you safely inside the human being.” Now happiness was satisfied. Gradually, as time wheel moved, human being started searching for happiness everywhere (outside). Happiness screamed out loud, “Hey human, I am inside you: why are you searching outside?” This became the trend for centuries as human being set out to search for happiness in the outer world. God calmed happiness by saying, “A day will come when human will find you.”

The time has come as majority of humans have started on an inside journey. Let, s focus on the upside aspect of this pandemic (downside is flashing everywhere). One of the positive effect is introduction of lot of online programs. Such programs are a great benefit, as one gets to do it in the comfort on one,s own surroundings.

In this write up, I will describe my experience of “Breath & happiness program” by AOL – Art of living”. This is an eight hour program spread over four days. Focus is on breath- the key. We start our lives with first deep breath, which marks our arrival in this world, and leave our mortal coil with one last breath. Surprisingly, one is never taught how to breath. Conscious breathing, synchronized breathing is like a dash charger for one,s brain. The kriya of breathing, as designed by Gurudev is an experience. This is enhanced exponentially as eyes are closed during the entire kriya. One feels light with sense of weightless. There is a sensation of synchronization with cosmos, mind comes to a point where there is nothing/infinity. Mind is thoughtless. This experience leaves you charged instantaneously. Automatically, an inner smile dwells on one,s lip. 

Happiness and breath are strongly related. God has given everyone the master key. Let,s identify the lock and unlock it. As the wise say," Add life to your years and not years to your life". Live life fully, happily and be your own script writer. One never knows, how many are watching your script and getting inspired. Live life in a state of consciousness.

To be happy , breath well# breathe well and be happy. With this thought, I conclude. (All this while I was breathing well and smiling). Promise to be back soon, with my experience on Inner engineering & Rajyog meditation. Remembering a song from a favourite movie,

" Hanste hanste, katt jaayein raste , zindagi yun hi chalti rahe........

Khushi mile yaan gum, badleinge naa hum,..............

Love,

Juju

{P.S. Thanks to all the AOL teachers & volunteers who have helped in these online programs)

 

 

 

 

Quarantine Series # 14 days Series# Day 8-14

Quarantine Series # 14 days Series# Day 8-14

P. S. This write up is dedicated to all the health care professionals, all persons who are covid positive and symptomatic. Once the symptoms appear and your covid testing confirms the same, the period of treatment and isolation seems like eternity. With this day wise write it is my endeavour to alleviate the pain. This is from the time of covid testing onwards.

“ Zindagi pyaar ka geet hai, isse har dil ko gaana padega …….. (Life is a song of love , every heart will have to sing)

Zindagi gum ka sagar bhi hai , hans ke uss parr jaana padega… ( Life is an ocean of sorrow too, will have to smile and go across).

Humming this song, the second week seemed to have gone by, at its own pace. Those with moderate symptoms were progressing well and gradually regaining their inner strength. Those with severe symptoms also, saw light at the other end of the tunnel. Their over all health showed improvement.  Happiest were the ones with mild symptoms as with this week, the period of isolation was gone by and, it was time to be reunited with family and life.

All said and done, this period of isolation has brought out this simple fact of life, that our needs are minimal in form of food, clothes etc. One never realized when the luxury became need and man was lost in this charismatic magical world of “Maya”. Once again it was the duty of mother (nature) to shake her children (human beings) from this deep slumber. Maa has done it beautifully!

Most of us, have had the time to introspect and must have taken steering wheel of the vehicle of our life in our own hands. It,s steered in the right direction respecting the speed limit. I have also ticked off few things from my “To do List”. The essence is always the same. Teachings are same as we have been hearing from our parents and elders. The question is of,  what strikes you! There is a turning point in everyone,s life.

Last week, I got the taste of Breath and happiness program by Art of living, Rajyog meditation by Brahmakumari,s and Inner Engineering course by Sadhguru. All these experiences have left a deep permanent impact in my life. Somewhere, it has hit the bull,s eye. It was a reminiscence of all what we all have been taught, but in different perspective.

 With this quarantine period coming to end, I hope and pray that all of us reach a turning point or “The point” from where, we actually start living our lives fully and totally so as to create a life which we want.  Yog and meditation will hasten the process.

Remembering lines from a famous song# my all time favourite,

“ Aane wala pal, jaane wala hai , Ho sake to issme , zindagi beeta lo, ( Moments come and go, try to live life in this moment ) 

Pal yeh bhi jaane wala hai…………. ( this moment will also pass by)

This moment is inevitable.

See you soon, with a new write up about my different experiences from varied courses.

Love,

Juju.

Quarantine Series # 14 days Series# Day 5-7

Quarantine Series # 14 days Series# Day 5-7

P. S. This write up is dedicated to all the health care professionals, all persons who are covid positive and symptomatic. Once the symptoms appear and your covid testing confirms the same, the period of treatment and isolation seems like eternity. With this day wise write it is my endeavour to alleviate the pain. This is from the time of covid testing onwards.

 

The last three days passed by in a fleet of moment. I am practicing the theory of “Live in the moment”, no past, no future. Life seems to be more organized and in sync with self. Whenever our frequency changes from our normal bandwidth, some changes occur within our self and in our surroundings.

Gradually, one gets adjusted to the hospital isolation room and starts living on a daily basis. With this mindset, one tends to enjoy the hospital stay (really !). As there is surge of energy and power within self, one realizes the numerous hidden talents which had been buried in pursuit of keeping pace with the vehicle of Life.

If one is stable, it’s a good moment to reflect upon oneself and try and do things which have been pushed to corner with a label “when I will get time, I will do it “.The moment is now. Those who live in the moment live a fulfilling life. A wise man said, “Add life to your years and not years to your life.”

Once the discharge day is near, you will go back to your home pavilion, life will revert back to same normal routine. Take these days as a challenge from God! you are the chosen one! Remind yourself that you are a powerhouse.  Keep track of your thought process and if u can pen it down (request for paper/pen from staff) and label them as “Tryst with self ”.

Some wise person said, “Do spend time with your own good self else you will miss meeting the best person of your life.”

 Winding up with Swami Vivekananda,s famous quote

“The world is the great gymnasium where we come to make ourselves strong.”

 “Believing others is easy But Believing in Yourself ………..That,s the real challenge!”

Love,

Juju.

P.S. This write up is not intended to preach or teach. I share my experiences with a noble intention of helping others. This quarantine series has led to lot of self introspection and awareness of the power house within.

Quarantine Series # 14 days Series# Day 4

Quarantine Series # 14 days Series# Day 4

P. S. This write up is dedicated to all the health care professionals, all persons who are covid positive and symptomatic. Once the symptoms appear and your covid testing confirms the same, the period of treatment and isolation seems like eternity. With this day wise write it is my endeavour to alleviate the pain. This is from the time of covid testing onwards.

Human beings are so clever that they calibrated moments into seconds, minutes hours, days, weeks, months and years. After every six days, a Sunday- day of sun/day to relax was named. Little did this being know that the creator of this universe had set everything in a continuous motion and there was no moment to rest. Surprised!

Well my context here is very clear, I am talking about a person who is not well. Human body as we all are aware is a 24x7 working machine with no pause (Prayers if there is a pause!). Lucky ones enjoy Sunday for others it,s like just another day. Like Shakespeare wrote , “ What,s in a name ? “It holds true in most of the cases. Sunday can be any other day , at times its akin to a busy working Monday ( for medical professionals). Human body doesn,t take a day off, rather works continuously to make the body diseasefree.

One feels settled on day four and the isolation room starts giving a homely feel. The bed, staff and doctors are your new friends who work day in and day out to ensure you leave this place at the earliest. The intra-venous canula seems like a buddy which carries all the medication through it. The beeping monitors give you company in this emptiness and medicines taste like prasadam. To keep the canula patent is one,s priority. The skin starts seeking for soothing creams and your lips also yearn for moisturizer/lip balm.

There is a tilt in thoughts towards the positive side as one gets acclimatized to this new environment. Everyone has read and remembers “Survival of the fittest theory” by Charles Darwin. This is incomplete! Another theory which holds true in current times is  “It is not the strongest of the species that survives nor the most intelligent, but the most responsive to change .” Charles Darwin, 1809.

 The only thing constant in this world is ‘change”. Day 4 heralds a change in thought process slowly as the effect of medicine starts showing and finally one feels one is on the path of recovery. Your family also gets used to this temporary change. All the cobwebs of doubts are brushed off. This day appears to have gone by at a better pace. Few days to go, before you will be back in your seat of action. Till then, tighten your seatbelt, adjust your seat and get going. Self muse these lyrics of the famous song -A new day has come by Celine Dion, 

“I was waiting for so long, for a miracle to come,

Everyone told me to be strong, hold on and don,t shed a tear,

Through the darkness and good times, I knew I,d make it through

And the world thought I had it all….

A new day has come! A new day …..

Love,

Juju

Quarantine Series # 14 days Series# Day 3

Quarantine Series # 14 days Series# Day 3

P. S. This write up is dedicated to all the health care professionals, all persons who are covid positive and symptomatic. Once the symptoms appear and your covid testing confirms the same, the period of treatment and isolation seems like eternity. With this day wise write it is my endeavour to alleviate the pain. This is from the time of covid testing onwards.

As the sun dawns on day three, its been almost more than forty eight to 60 hours since one is hit by the unexpected happening which has landed in an ICU. Human mind is an exceptional form of energy whose potential and power has not yet been harnessed.

The rising sun brings an unconditional acceptance in everyone. The shore seems to be in sight although it appears to be hazy with overcast sky. The paradox lies in being certain of reaching the shore with clarity that turbulence will be there which will go away eventually.

One gets used to the hospital routine and monitor beeps sound like music (I know they are not !). The attending nurse (not in white uniform, but in PPE like a space suit) is your friend in times of need and your bedside buzzer your lifeline. Fear not! The land is visible now, focus with full faith and trust in almighty it will be not too long before your ship (yourself) hits the mainland (discharge from hospital).

As one regains inner strength, mind is back to original form. The loved ones judge your progress by assessing your social media activity. These are the times when its heartening to know that your loved one in isolation has fingers on mobile. For once your heart screams out loud that good, more the screen time implies the ship has taken a “U-turn " and is safe from wandering into the unknown in this vast ocean of life. Doctors visit, medicine schedule, meal times take a lot of energy and time. In between, calls from family makes the day complete.The same 24 hours seemed to have passed at a better pace than previous day.

Has the earth rotated at a faster pace than previous day ?? Has the clock ticked faster? Oh God ! night shift staff has arrived so soon.

With these thoughts, you roll up your hospital sheet with a heart full of gratitude. The mind looks forward to the next day with high hope and prayer that Mother Earth rotates at a faster pace. Really ! The darker the night # brighter is the next day.

Remembering words from the famous poem by RN Tagore - where the mind is without fear and the head is held high…………

I am ready to embrace day 4^th.

Love,

Juju .