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I Understand!

Discussion in 'Snippets of Life (Non-Fiction)' started by Srama, May 6, 2017.

  1. Srama

    Srama Finest Post Winner

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    I am spinning, and spinning with a vengeance. May be it is me, maybe it is the teacher or maybe it is the fact that I haven’t taken a class in two weeks. At one point, I feel that, “oh when will this get over?” But I simply turn my face to the side, shut my eyes tight and continue through the pain. Just as the song ends, the instructor asks “Did you plop on to your seats?” which brings out groans and moans. Without missing a beat she says “Good! We were on the same song then” and continues! As I get up again, I realize that somehow it made a difference that she knew, that we were on the same song!

    With excitement, I sit down with the photographs I have taken. There are one too many. I know because I can see them all on my screen and have I not been told so many times that I more interested in photos than the places themselves? Who can understand the fact that I am only able to take pictures because of what I am seeing and SO enjoying? Knowing well that I have so many pictures, I apologize before hand as I sit down with my teacher. I want his opinion. I want to know I am progressing. The moment my teacher sees the spread on the screen, a smile spreads across his face and when I pick a random picture he insists that I start from the beginning! Ah the relief! I tell him that it made a difference that he understood, and we go through all the photos, me getting what I want – some criticism and some praise. I feel understood!

    Travelling in another country, barely hearing good English around, as we check out of the hotel room, my DH notices a tattoo on the forearm of the lady sitting at the reception. It is in Sanskrit! We pause to ask her if she understands what is written. She goes on to explain that she practices yoga, studies the yoga sutras and yes her teacher had explained the meaning to her. My husband turns to me and I affirm and she is all smiles and blushing and can’t stop saying that she is so glad that someone else gets it!

    Heading back home, at the hotel lobby all the three families waiting are told that our taxis are ready to take us to the airport. A well dressed gentle man walks to me directly adjusting his tie and politely says “I believe I am driving you to the airport?” I am little surprised. It is after all 4.30 in the morning. The moment he places our suitcases in the boot, another taxi driver comes up and claims us as his clients. After some discussion between them, we settle down in the gentleman’s taxi. As soon as he takes off, I notice Ipads on seats with serene nature pictures flashing through. The driver as he adjusts the temperature of the car offers “I have some cold water and soft drinks if any of you need it.” Now both DH and I are alert. Both of us at almost the same time ask the question “So, your English is impeccable and your service is awesome” and “I am amazed how beautiful these pictures are and how calming” respectively.

    After explaining to me about the pictures, he turns to my DH and says if he was a brick before, education cemented him! Sharing a little more information about his background, he says that he wanted to work where it mattered and so had chosen driving people after trying many corporate jobs and that he had pursued a degree in Philosophy later and has studied in depth. My interest is piqued and of course I ask the question any Indian would and without missing a beat he assures me that he has not only read Indian philosophies but also reads the Gita regularly. He understands karma and in fact tells me that it is because of my past lives that I am in his country and understand his heritage and that it must be that same karma that has brought me with my family!

    I am more and more intrigued, converse more and as we near the airport I tell him that we have enjoyed travelling and as an after thought add that I was a tad disappointed with the attitude of his people, to be honest with him. He hastens to add that I should only be honest with myself and then he speaks of a philosopher who was searching for humans with a lamp in his hand in broad day light. People who had heard of him came up to him and asked if he found any. I believe the philosopher said “I found many people but very few humans.” The car comes to a stop. He turns back, looks at me again and says he understands what I am talking about and adds “Don’t be disappointed. Shed a tear and move on!” with so much compassion in his voice that I am dumbstruck. When DH responds to the silence with a “This was one of the most fruitful encounters for us. I think it was meant to be”, he laughs and responds with an “Of course the other driver did not know that!” I am not sure why I feel that I finally understand!

    Between

    343a1c250c33db66e687d42fa722dc62.jpg

    and my DD’s constant use of “Suck it up butter cup” while playing school, I cannot help but smile an “I understand!”
     
    Last edited: May 6, 2017
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  2. Shanvy

    Shanvy IL Hall of Fame

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    Wow, saby @Srama you took me on a spin.. and i think the gentleman was meant to be.. you were at the right place and right time and settling for the gentleman was a good thing.


    I understand and loved the pic too..

    Hope you had a wonderful trip.
     
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  3. satchitananda

    satchitananda IL Hall of Fame

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    Hey Sabitha, so good to see one from you after all these weeks. So you've been off on a holiday again! It's nice that you have come across so many people who are on the same wavelength as you. This cannot be a case of sheer synchronicity. It has to be something more than that. Or let us put it this way, synchronicities happen only to those who are prepared for it. You are blessed indeed. :)
     
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  4. shyamala1234

    shyamala1234 Platinum IL'ite

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    Dear Sabita,
    This must be the most memorable moment in your holiday. You would remember this encounter for a long long time.
    It is amazing to meet people with same wavelength at a new city where you expect least.
    The picture is very good. How frustrating it is when others do not understand us and suddenly from the least unexpected corner who understands. Is it coincidence or some play God or just happens!!!! I Realky do not know.
    Seem to have had agreat holiday and enjoyed.
    Syamala
     
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  5. Srama

    Srama Finest Post Winner

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    Thank you Shan! @Shanvy You spoil me with such warm understanding feedback. It sounds weird thinking back that that happened that way. We did have a wonderful time.
     
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  6. Srama

    Srama Finest Post Winner

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    Satchi @satchitananda,

    Thank you my friend for your warm feedback. Makes me wonder too - I am not sure why people come in when they do and I still can't shake off the feeling of how he walked up to me in a group! May be I did need that understanding.
     
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  7. Srama

    Srama Finest Post Winner

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    Thank you Syamala as always for your sweet. It indeed was a memorable moment. In fact DS who was listening to all of it, reminds to us segments from that conversation often. It is wonderful to meet people - of the same wavelength and different. One of the interesting reasons to travel.

    Thank you for your feedback.
     
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  8. Cheeniya

    Cheeniya Super Moderator Staff Member IL Hall of Fame

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    @Srama
    My dear Srama
    You have an exquisite narrative style that suits the kind of your tales. Be it a travelogue or a story of a new plant that has suddenly sprouted in your backyard! I often wonder how a busy bee like you can afford such frequent holidays. But then the ability to combine work with leisure judiciously is a boon that is bestowed on very few. I am happy for you in that regard. When reading about a lady, in a place where even English is barely spoken, with a tattoo in Sanskrit can excite me so much, I can imagine how you would have felt at that moment.
    You have so nicely expressed there about how some of the most intriguing aspects of life become suddenly decipherable!
    Sri
     
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  9. Viswamitra

    Viswamitra IL Hall of Fame

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    Dear Sabitha,

    It is so heartening to read the conversation with the gentleman who drove you back to the airport. It is finally reassuring to learn from a cab driver that education changes people into a fine human being. His response, "I found many people but very few humans" is very thoughtful. "Don't be disappointed. Shed tears and move on" is a very compassionate response. I would only add, "Pray for them".

    Regarding Sanatana Dharma, it is very common to find people other than from the Sind Valley to be more inquisitive about the Prasthana Treya consisting of Upanishads, Brahma Sutras and Gita.

    Viswa
     
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  10. PushpavalliSrinivasan

    PushpavalliSrinivasan IL Hall of Fame

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    Dear sabitha,
    You were blessed to get a person who was knowledgable and highly educated to drive you back to the airport where barely any one could converse in English. We feel happy if we find a person with same wave length of ours in a new place and we can get along with them quite comfortably. Even a short journey is pleasurable.
    PS
     
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