“H”OLY GRAIL

An object of fantasy that has kept numerous historians hooked for ages!

Some say it’s the chalice Jesus had his last drink from!

Some believe it to be a magical object with healing powers!

Dan Brown’s Da Vinci Code equates this to the womb from where Jesus’ bloodline, his child, came to life.

And some theories revolve around mythical stories and numerous assumptions!

My rendezvous with this mysterious object was via Dan Brown’s popular novel itself. And the moment I read about it, the grail’s enigma never ceased to amaze me!

A relic or a myth?

A fantasy or reality?

A question that has been puzzling the greatest minds for centuries!

And then, it hit me like a flash?

Isn’t our whole life like this?

We have been searching who we really are?

Let’s start from the macro level:

Our origins can be summarized in a bundle of conflicting theories!

Some revolving around Evolution while some outrightly rejecting it!

Our future seems like a puff of smoke, a haze!

Whether this planet will still be ours or not?

Whether we’ll establish our footprint on some other habitable regions in the cosmos or will be reduced to a tiny speck into oblivion?

And if we drill down further, isn’t each of us grappling with some unanswered questions whose solution always seem out of our reach. It’s like groping in the dark!

Why did this happen to me?

How did I even fell into this spot?

Am I going to make out of it with my head held high?

What’s the next adventure that awaits me?

I’m still trying to figure out the alignment of stars that day that turned me into a superstar!

I feel as if we are all trying to find our very own “holy grail” to untangle the mysteries of our lives

And I think I have decoded the solution to the million dollar question of “How and where to find it?”

It’s very simple.

                                                                                  

I think it is based on four pillars, namely:

1.    Faith

2.    Self-confidence

3.    Strength

4.    Optimism

Confused?

How do you think the chalice exists?

                                                                                                                                                                  The faith and true belief of the researchers made sure that it never fades into the pages of history.

Their self-confidence and optimism to find it made it seem real (I’m not denying it’s existence).

We don’t know if it exists or not or anything about its whereabouts!

And I have no clue if we could even verify that this is the specific cup Jesus had his drink from!

If we think logically, it’s a commonly used object.

But then the faith, the belief in it’s healing power or religious importance made it special!

Are you getting the point?

Courtesy: Google Images

If such a small thing can be so special for millions; how special would you and I be, being able bodied and having a sound mind and good health.

We can do wonders if we believe in ourselves.

Keeping self motivated in despairing times can seem like a mammoth task but then don’t you think that the adversities that befall us are never beyond our control?

They may break us but never rip us apart.

Mental Strength can create wonders not possible with the might of a herd of elephants!

So, all we need:
Faith: To keep us going

Self-confidence: To rise and shine when our moment of glory knocks on our doorstep

Strength: To hold us together in rough patches and push harder in good times

Optimism: To hope for the best

Because those who think they can, they will.

Otherwise, it’s all left to time’s will!

Which my dear friends, I’m not too sure of.

Lately, my itchy fingers too have been grappling with questions of self-doubt and future course of action. Hopefully, now they have a beginning to begin.

Do let me know about your quests in search of the holy grail of your lives!

This is the eighth post in the series of #AtoZChallenge

SURVEY ON GEEZER!!

I recently came across a bizarre survey which talks about masculinity display by the Indian men. Before perusing it, I was under the impression that Indian men’s (excuse the pun) muscle power and vulgar, abusive language were enough to exhibit their virility.  However, the survey provided me a completely different dimension to the concept of manliness in India.

Would you like to give it a thought?

“Can you just bend a bit, keep the pup aside in your car’s front-seat, wear gloves, take a polybag, pick the poop and throw it in the dustbin?”, ahh! my NRI friend is shouting at my neighbour. She dictates it like a pseudo-code not because she is a software engineer by profession but because it irks her when people ask the ‘How’ part of daily ablutions of a pet or are indifferent to it. Moreover, it is not a common sight for her in the exotic land where NRI’s do the needful voluntarily; particularly, due to fear of hefty fines. She has visited me after a long time and there are many things which adds to her fury, as it occurs to most of "the NRIs".

An animal’s excreta had exasperated her so intensely. What if she comes to know the study fact that I am going to share with you all?

Courtesy : Google Images

Well! Well! In this 21st  century, in an era where we boast of digital India, sophisticated and skilled India, the survey has brought to the fore a startling fact : masculinity show is best displayed by “excreting in open”. Yes, that is how Indian men believes is the best way to unveil their toughness, as per the survey.

Wait! This is not done and dusted yet! They believe that the comfort of open air has no comparison with the closed quarters. I mean imagine a white pot in an enclosed area, behind closed doors. Where’s the fun in that? I mean until and unless one squats in the middle of an open field amidst the murmur of flies and fleas and chat with the others around while taking a dump, there is no point of this routine mundane operation!

Who gives a damn what “Swach Baharat” is! No, wait, we are the ones who make commercials to
educate women to raise their voice to get a toilet constructed in their homes and use the same. But what about men? I am amused to say that it is not the paucity of funds for construction of a proper toilet but it’s against men’s ruggedness to use a lavatory. Amused why you ask? Have you forgotten, “Men are the decision-makers in households”. Well! This rings true in majority of the rural households where open defecation is still a major problem plaguing the entire villages.

Gosh!!!

I wish this observation which poses malice towards Indian men is fallacious.

On a lighter note, if the survey goes true, I deduce that ‘Swachh Bharat Cess’ will get exhausted in dung clean-up only.

I rest my itchy fingers now, to hear your thoughts aloud!!