Life is??

I often find myself in a fix when I try to figure it out. Is it working hard to achieve your dreams, or enjoying the small things in life, or fulfilling your desires, or sitting back and see the world go by...I know its a potpourri, but how does one balance it or do we at all try to do so?

At some places, like Bangkok and Dubai I found it to be an absolute pleasure to get sucked into consumeristic behaviour. Yet, places like McLeodganj, Andamans, Pondicherry, and Kanyakumari made me realise how futile all this is. Running all the time to fulfill your desires without stopping once to enjoy what we already have and soaking in the simple pleasures.

Sometimes, the whole office-home chakravyuh entangles us so much that we don't give enough time other things---family, friends, hobbies...

Is it because we don't differentiate between our 'needs' from our 'wants'? Or is it so that we are from our core 'unsatisfied' with what we have and always look for better things and thus, stop enjoying the life itself?

But then someone's need can be another's want...where does this vicious cycle stop? Within us or outside of us? May be we all need to ponder about it, after all don't we all want to end our lives on a happy and a satisfied note?

Dubai--sand,sea and skyscrapers

A month ago, Ma, Baba and I visited jethumoni's home for the last more than 30yrs, Dubai. Of course, it was exciting to visit him--but my main attraction point was meeting my niece--adorable,charming and lovely!

Dubai can be described in one word-- 'ambitious'. The amount it has developed (I'm referring to the stereotypical notion of the term) is unfathomable. It is a disciplined country where policing and surveillance is remote-controlled. I saw Indians not spitting, not littering and behaving themselves and wondered why can't they be like this in their own country?

Tall buildings, state-of-the-art technology, enviable cars, clean and wide roads, huge malls that will take you a week to cover and shopping will blow your mind. The USP of the city lies in the buildings, each different from the other-- embracing varied cultural and architectural influences. Many would feel, wish India was like this--ummm...I differ from this, may be because I simply love the chaos!

However, the masterpiece of the city is the Burj-Khalifa--a man made masterpiece. The experience of going on top of the highest building in the world (around 160 floors) and reaching 124the floor in 40seconds is inexplicable. It is nothing short of a miracle as this building was made in just 10yrs!

Life in Dubai, I'm guessing like any other 'developed' nation is devoid of friendly neighbours, cultural activities, options to enhance social interactions and it is something I felt the most when I saw my niece playing all by herself at home and I felt sad for her! But may be I am wrong...I do not know.

So what attracts you then?--the shopping, hell yes! sad for your pockets but this is an ideal place to be addicted to 'stuff' and get sucked into the consumeristic frame of mind--ideal situation for capitalism to flourish. Yes, the carefully crafted city appeals you to no end but what really impressed me most was the dedication, discipline and ambition of the Monarch to make this city the best in the given capacities without looking at personal gains! Something that we need to learn!