Archive for September, 2008

J _ _ _ _ _D_ _

September 23, 2008 · Filed under Experiences, Expressions, Friends, People · Tagged , , , ,

An unusual mail jumped into my inbox. It asked for volunteers for some J _ _ _ _ _ D_ _. This was the only info and every other detail was kept a secret. I replied ”I’m in.” with a little curiosity of what it could be.
When I looked at the mail again, I found some obvious hints- Mata Amritanandamayi and Juan Mann smiling at me. Oh is it J O Y H U G DA Y? How is it possible? It is not a college yaar, commmmon.
All the volunteers were briefed about the event and given Blue Tees for the J-Day.
And finally Surprise!!!! Surprise!!!!
We actually had plans for celebrating a “Jhappi Day” in office!!! Isn’t it strange? Had heard of pink day, ethnic day etc, but Jhappi day????
The rule was simple – offer a hug and make some one’s day :-) . Spread the hugs, spread the hope.
We were game. An official mail was sent out saying “It is a Jhappi Day-a free hugs day and the ones in dark blue Tees are the official jhappars who would offer hugs. They are all around you.”

R and I were very excited about it. R wore a “Hug Me” on his chest, bold and clear enough to cry out the message. I wore it on my sleeves coolly.
Enthusiastically, we also taped a printout saying “I’m a hug…waiting to happen” (remembering my Prince Charming we had met in the shop) on our backs. We gave each other a jadoo ki jhappi and began for the day on our mission of spreading love and showing that we care.
I hugged everybody in the module…a friend or a foe, an acquaintance or an ajnabi (alien)…everyone appeared pure & His perfect creation. I realized it was so easy to accept anyone with your arms wide open and a smile on your face.
I even had the courage to forgive and ask for forgiveness, the strength to confess the deepest fears…hug…and shower my love, affection and respect on the ones I truly adore.
I admired and thanked…hugged…
I had the opportunity to know few people by their names, people whom I had passed by several times in the corridors and wings.
(I can now name a few smiling faces I see everyday :-) )
The atmosphere had suddenly turned so friendly, so lively. Every one was so approachable. There was no inhibition, only acceptance.
I had learnt in Art of Living “Accept people and things as they are”. In this simple yet effective exercise I found it so easy to learn.
We finished our work and went from cubicle to cubicle, module to module spreading love and giving free hugs. Everyone welcomed us with equal warmth and affection.
I could feel our happiness was almost contagious. Our zeal and spirit transmitted at a pace higher than that of light.

The concept was inspired by:
• Juan Mann’s Free Hugs Campaign
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Free_Hugs_Campaign

• Mata Amritanandamayi- the hugging Saint
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mata_Amritanandamayi

• Munna bhai ki famous “Jadoo ki Jhappi”
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Munna_Bhai_M.B.B.S.

I experienced the love that emanated from the bottom of my heart even for a complete stranger!
We were surprised by the feat- R & I hugged almost 500-600 people in a day, something I had never imagined in my wildest dreams!!!
At the end of the day we had a Jhappar’s meet and I saw everyone was in a state of trance-engulfed in the emotions of joy, happiness, satisfaction and peace.
Some moments were captured to be framed in the memories. The Jhappar’s club was officially dissolved with a special note from the organizers – “From tomorrow, we do not want to see people hugging each other.” :- ) hahahaha.

Haven’t you experienced the craving for a jadoo ki jhappi? A tight bear hug that would alleviate all your pains and sufferings? The last hug before bidding a good bye with a hope that you would meet again and then a jhappi on reuniting with your buddies? A hug asking for forgiveness, a hug depicting acceptance, a hug to end bitterness in the relation, a hug full of hope…a hug when you are happy… a hug when you are sad…
A hug that would show that you are loved and cared…the one that gives you the strength to face the world… a hug just like that???
When was it last that you hugged someone you love?
Hug is a connection seedha dilse dil tak (Heart-to-heart). It can transform lives. Won’t you embrace your near and dear ones and the ones who really need a jadoo ki jhappi? After all everyone needs a good hug.
Aa gale lag jaa :-)

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Love at first smile

September 22, 2008 · Filed under Experiences, Expressions, People · Tagged , ,

“Shameless/useless/manner less! Doesn’t he know that boys are NOT supposed to open ladies purses?” would have been my normal reaction, but I didn’t frown even for once; instead I was smiling at him and looking at him intently. He looked at me and smiled back. It was such an engaging smile that I fell in love with him at once.

A day before P’s birthday, R, S and I were together again at a shopping centre looking for a shirt for the birthday boy. Pick…Drop…Selections…Rejections.
Finally, I had a feeling that we would end up buying “Emperor’s clothes” or “Happy Man’s shirt” ;-)
There- and we found what we were looking for.

But I was still looking at him. Not just I, R & S also had their eyes set on him. This time he didn’t look at me. He was busy taking out things from his mamma’s purse. A 10 rupee note here and a 100 there- a pen here and a comb there. I went to him and picked up the things lying on the floor and took him to his mom and granny who were busy shopping.
He was a sweet, little chubby Prince Charming who had come to sweep me off my feet, so what that he himself seemed to have learnt to take his baby steps quite recently.  His mom and granny thanked me and asked him to hug me.
Oh how cute! He wobbled, swayed, lost his balance as he walked towards me. I was on my knees with arms wide open, waiting for him.
I got connected to him instantly. R and S approached us and coaxed him to hug them. But he didn’t.
His family asked him to do a “nosy-nosy” to me. We wondered what that would be. But when he gently rubbed his nose against mine, side-to-side, I could feel my happiness, his purity and innocence. It was cho chweeeeeeeeeeet.
R and S wanted their nosy-nosys too, but he didn’t give, thus making my hug and nosy-nosy even more special. Exclusive! We smiled at each other and I knew that even he was in love with me:-)
When he waved at us, my eyes read a special message on his powder blue shirt,  as if meant for me- “I’m a hug…waiting to happen.”
I ran to him, hugged him and kissed him on his cheeks.
I always love taking/giving gifts from/to my loved ones. But yes, this little one made me believe yet another time that children are God’s gifts to us and I love them more than any other gift.

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