Brain Evolves. We change..

"To Err is Human....
To forgive, Divine!"

We may have heard of this phrase numerous times in life, among one of the most relevant ones possible.
If you're humane enough, you are bound to make mistakes. Its after all, a human tendency to do so. While most of these mistakes are erasable or let's say, can be solved in time, we also make mistakes in time which are irreparable. They stay for life and haunt you until your final call. A sense of guilt runs across your throat each time you think of it or when something related to it, crosses your path. Its that strange feeling that also hinders your growth in life and while you maybe successful in terms of money or assets professionally, your personal subconscious mind never let's you grow within.

The above lines, every bit of them, relate more to the way humans feel for each other. It should be us, who need to introspect our own mistakes but no - we're judged by the people around us, whether we choose them or not.
At each step, right or wrong that we take, we're judged by people who are sinners too; probably sin in a different way than ours but are sinners nevertheless. So, I personally would still buy such judgements, however correct or incorrect they maybe. What cannot, or say should not be accepted within, is the way people think about you considering the mistakes you'd committed in the past.

Our minds evolve, we never stay same. What I was a year ago, No, I'm not that person anymore (barring a section of people who never change). I may have a similar face, my thought base is still relatable, but my actions change.

Time is the best healer, they say. Please don't consider people or write them off, only because they had sinned 365 days ago. Give them time, let their thoughts alter and who knows, once you know the newer side of the person, you just might start liking it and in certain cases, love.
Life feels long enough but is still short to hold a grudge within, for someone who is a new being, for someone who can be loved if given a chance. Don't build a wall so high that it becomes impossible for you to see the 10 types of goodness in someone due to 1 blunder that person may have made long ago.

This wall, once broken, will let you see things and qualities, from a different perspective. Learn to admire those beautiful qualities in a person, point out the bad ones so the person in question, may be prepared enough to work on them.

Ultimately, do not judge someone purely on the basis of a small mistake he/she made months ago. Consider the person for the beautiful qualities within, today. It would definitely show the type of person he is, but it would truly show the type of person you are.

Finally, learn to Forgive - to not make anyone feel better, but to make your soul lighter.

Stress and Discovering Self, again.

Come May and the end of summer season sales starts across showrooms (or online stores as the current trend is) in India. I work with the Indian arm of one of the biggest retailers in the world and I knew this month would be all about a little extra work but...

"3 day sale - 6,7,8 May 2015" announced a large hoarding. The next minute there were couple of beeps on my phone. It was the official email folder that popped out. A long email spooked out horror - post/pre-shift and a 6th day overtime for the entire May 2015 for the Indian skills.

*Beep beep* - another message followed. 
Shuttle services to begin from May 6 2015 (we have been getting picked up and dropped home in cabs until then - sheer convenience). Shuttle service was horror part II, we would now have a bus/taxi pickup point around 0.5-2.5 kms away from employees' homes. The change wasn't accepted readily but we had little choice.

May 6th was our version of Friday, the 13th.

Three days down the line, I started feeling the pinch of work overload. While it was a good thought of getting paid a handsome amount in June end payout, it had started taking a toll on my head.

Post 1 week, I was considering seeing a psychologist as my stress levels had gone up. Not taking calls, falling prey to quick irritation and prone to anger were my traits; until one night, I sat alone in a lounge and started talking to myself (no, I've not turned into a lunatic).

I tried to explain myself that I've been acting like a hypocrite lately. I advise people to take control of their minds-thoughts, to take a deep breath, calm down and say a 'fuck this shit' and finally, to live a fun loving life. But I was doing exactly opposite to what I have been preaching to people all this while. Was it the strong beer that did the trick? Was it the music around me? No. It was ME. I was coming back to myself, as it was a few days ago before the work pressure began.

I learned that I can earn all I want to, but I would ultimately lose my peace of mind I've always done best to live with. I would miss the Life I want to live at this very moment.
Of course, I want to earn and I would still head towards my pursuits and dreams but I'd ensure my sanity and the sanity of the people around me.
That's what would bring me closer to my targets, closer to my Life!

Friendship, amidst tears.

I don't remember the date and I'm unable to think of the year (while writing this) but then, memories are made by experiences and not merely by dates.
It was a new school and a new class I was going to - KG (Kindergarten) to be precise. My school, Don Bosco is among the best schools today, in the city of Kolkata (Calcutta), West Bengal. It was not a very happy moment given the fact that the memories of St.Helen's, my previous school were still fresh. Never mind, I'll relate that some other day (another beautiful memory, that).

It was the first day of school and wherever I looked around, I found kids of my age and height, crying. I found it amusing and I smiled (not smirked) out of friendliness, looking at a few of them; instantly made a few enemies. The very beautiful Starry Ma'am, my class teacher, asked me to sit next to a short guy who, like others was crying.

"Hi, kya naam hai tumhara? Ro kyu rahe ho?" I asked genuinely. [Hi, what's your name? Why are you crying?]

"Mereko mummy ke paas jaana hai," he replied, sobbing. [I want to see my mother.]

"Don't worry," I replied calmly "teri mummy bahar hi khadi hai. School khatam hotey hi terese milegi". [Don't worry, your mother is waiting for you outside. She'll meet you right after school].

"Mera naam Mayank hai, aur tera?" he asked, still sobbing. [My name is Mayank. What's yours?]

"Main..." and I told him my name.

There began our friendship. As far as time goes, I remember him as my first school friend. While many friends have drifted apart, we're still in touch and even if we see each other once in 2-4 years, we're well connected with the phenomenon called "Facebook".

I'm happy I still remember this moment. We found friendship amidst others' tears.