Yes,I'd like to sing like Julie Andrews- "girls in white dresses with blue satin sashes" or "snow flakes that fly on my nose and eyelashes"but alas!no such fanciful experiences for me.I dont get to see girls in bright dresses nor have I been lucky to see snow flakes!I do have certain things that touch my heart on a daily basis,starts my day on a serene note ,carries me through the day bringing cheer ,lifting up sagging spirits to push me on to continue what I do.
The day starts on a simple note -I like the silence,the stillness of surroundings,when I sit in the balcony immersing myself in the nothingness.The sky is a dark grey,down in the streets lights flicker and it is chilly.Covering myself in a quilt,sitting alone is one of my most favourite "activity" to begin the day.Then, pink stripes appear in the sky auguring the arrival of our life giver shortly.Birds start chirping,flip flap around getting ready for their morning,few people are busy, some walkers have started their morning routine.And then I hear the muezzin's call ,loud and clear from the nearby mosque ,summoning the faithful for prayers.This is how the day begins for me,my most favourite time of the day.And then ofcourse,the steaming ,foaming cup of coffee ,that brings briskness to plunge into the days' chores.
Pure,classical music over the radio or on TV can do wonders too ,acts like a stimulant.I love my own learning sessions with my dear teacher and friend,the hour or so spent so purposefully, at the end of which I feel rejuvenated.The prayers are said ritualistically,temples are visited regularly.But the musicians who sing soulfully are the ones who take me nearer to the bliss, divinity supposedly brings.On a day,when the chores have piled up,the house a mess and I donot know where to begin ,listening to music or better still ,singing full throatedly uplifts my spirits and I am ready for the day.
All this does not necessarily mean I am lofty in my likings and care only about spiritual aspects of life.not at all- I like old Hindi film songs, Mohammed Rafi and Asha Bhonsle,Shah Rukh Khan films,some TV serials that I watch regularly,women who dress and carry themselves beautifully,little childrens' chatter,yes, girls who walk past in their pretty dresses,my own little ones' tinkling laughter,all these add colour to my life.
But above all is a good book with which I can recline without a care in the world, be it James Michener or Han Suyin or Khaled Hosseini.They take me to different worlds,very different from mine,plunging me into a totally different mood,nomore bothered about my own mundane worries or ailments,transforming me into a different person now only concerned about the protagonists' course of life,for the short time that I can settle down with that book.That time,that interlude of peace that takes me to a different plane altogether,is my most favourite hobby.
