Jonathan Livingston Seagull

It was morning, and the new sun sparkled Gold across the ripples of a gentle sea...

Claimed to be the most inspirational fable of our time, by Richard Bach and beautiful pics (Most of the pages are on pics) by Russell Munson.

Indeed this is a story for people who follow their dreams and make their own rules.

For most seagulls, life consists simply of eating and surviving. Flying is just a means of finding food. However, Jonathan Livingston Seagull is no ordinary bird. For him, flying is life itself. Against the conventions of seagull society, he seeks to find a higher purpose and become the best at doing what he loves.

This is a fable about the importance of making the most of our lives, even if our goals run contrary to the norms of our flock, tribe or neighborhood. For not being like others he was outcast. But with inner control, he flew to another place, which at first he thought to be heaven, with others of similar taste. But then he wanted to come back and help others home.

As he continued learning we realise...

If we follow our dreams, we too can soar.

Speed was power, speed was joy, and the speed was pure beauty.

Boredom, and fear and anger are the reason, why life is short. With these gone, you can live a long life indeed.

Most of us live, forgetting right away where we had come from, not caring where we were headed, living for the moment.

We choose our next world, through what we learn in this one. Learn nothing, and the next world is the same as this one, all the limitations and the lead weights to overcome.

It always works, when you know, what you are doing, and keep working on love.

If our friendship depends on space and time, then when we finally overcome space and time, we've destroyed our own brotherhood! But overcome space, and all we have left is Here. Overcome time, and all we have left is Now. And in the middle is Here and Now, don't you think that we might see each other once or twice?

To fly high, you need to be firm, but smooth.

The flight of ideas could be as real as other flights. Each of us in truth is an idea. Everything that limits us, we must put aside. Practice.

Your whole body is nothing but your thought. Break the chains of your thoughts, and your break the chain of your body too.

We're free to go where we wish and to be what we are.

You know nothing till you prove it!!

Understand what you really are and practice it. The only true law is that leads you to freedom. Whatever stands against it must be set aside, may it be ritual, or superstition or limitation in any form.

The hardest thing in the world is to convince a person that he is free, and that he can prove it for himself if he'd spend a little time practising.

You don't love hatred and evil of course. See the good in everyone, and help them see it themselves. It's fun, when you get the knack of it.

You need to keep finding yourself, a little more each day.

No limits! Your race to learn has begun!!

Kyon? Why?

Nope, I am not talking about the song from Hrithik’s ‘KAHO NAA PYAAR HAI’

Kyon Chalti Hai Pavan
Kyon Jhume Hai Gagan
Kyon Machalta Hai Mann
.
.
.

Kyon Aati Hai Bahaar
Kyon Lutta Hai Karaar
Kyon Hota Hai Pyaar


But there are some Kyon’s lingering in my mind:

1. Why do we garnish our own traits while tarnish that of others?
2. Why do we eat junk food, even when we know it is not good for health?
3. Why do we sneeze frequently at times?
4. Why don’t we use facilities (I regret not using spell check facility) even if available?
5. Why don’t we have the same enthusiasm/energy always?
6. Why do we dream?
7. Why do we try to imitate others?
8. Why can we not keep resolutions, walk the talk?
9. Why do good people suffer?
10.Why people go from our life, die?



1. Is it because, all want to be running, and it’s in everyone’s mind, that only the person who can prove can survive? Even if so, garnish your traits, but why tarnish that of others? Even though we know that Smile and Silence is the best, why do we end up being angry and shout or speak too much? Is it to prove our point? When we know that there is so much of good in the worst of us and so much of bad in the best of us, then why do we try to figure only the good of some, and only the bad of others? Also on the same footing, I wonder why do people want to take credit, for all the good, and blame others and be irresponsible for all the negative things? We all know that Adjustment & Compromise are 2 crucial sides of the same coin called Relationship, havent we hear it many a times? Then why adjust and compromise only with some and not all? Oh! I see, the rest says 'Adjust....when someone wants to be with you & Compromise.....when you want to be with someone: YOU LOVE', is 'You Love' the main factor in there?

2. These days, I had been eating so much of noodles; food kept in fridge, from thattukada, non vegetarian…All the ‘Tamasic’ food. Though always think no…Is it because we like junk foods or lazy to make healthy food? After all how long it will take to make a Ganji?

3. It is not only when there is some irritation or allergy, mostly every day begins with sneezing, and especially and longer, when we have a good hair massage and bath?

4. I'm very bad at grammar, spelling well writing for that matter. I can never find the right proposition or punctuation. Though this does not make me take an effort in spell checking or proof reading, nor does it make me hesitate before writing.

5. I don't have the same enthusiasm for learning new languages any more. Why alone language, anything for that matter. Is it because I am growing old or should I blame information overload? Aren’t youngsters quick at learning?

6. I dream mostly every night. Well everyone does, but I remember them in the morning. I kind of know the insecurities and unexpressed thoughts, feelings and judgments that trigger my dreams and though sometimes it's really weird and depressing to face the facts dreams throw at me, I think it keeps me honest. To myself. It helps me face the insecurity. But why insecurities?

7. Isn’t the first and this thought contrary but true? Looking around don’t we find people trying to tarnish others traits, while trying to imitate them? Being an outsider for just two months helped me at least in one way to take an objective look. For instance, I really appreciate diversity and what it really means in the Indian context and how rare that is in this world and how fast disappearing. Yes, all the diversities, in language, dress, currency, are slowly disappearing.. I believe dresses in each place are based on the geography of the location. Then does it make sense wearing high collared suits and ties in a temperate region like ours? Wouldn’t life be boring if everything was same?

8. I don't like having "principles" - I like doing what is best for the situation, but it doesn’t mean I can tolerate people being late, or not keeping words. Often I wonder, why should we be loosing our time when others are late? Why am I not able to keep my timetables or resolutions at times? And why can we not practice what we preach or fight about? Especailly the oaths taken?

9. We can share others sorrow, but can we share the pain that they suffer because of ill health? Why do good people suffer? Well may be some of them whom we consider good, may be good in their behavior, but not really good, but what about others? All right, some of them are inefficient and some of them are lazy, but then what about others?

10. I have lost many friends/relatives always. Was it because of the distance or due to other preoccupations, priorities and lack of interest/accessibility? Is it true that the only real friends are the ones that stay? People keep coming together and moving away and that there is no pattern in this flow. Do birds of a feather flocking together be able to keep the flock? Why these days, I find people with dislike towards relatives, and more inclination towards friends? And then why death? More torturing when the news is like that of Arushi or Sowmya?

Offf!!! Confusions…Unnecessary thoughts??

Kyon? Why? These thoughts!! Is it because 'Idle mind is devils workshop'?

Finally why do I spend my time here? Shall I bid good bye?

Babumoshai: Will I ever get an answer to these Why’s?

My mind is singing the song from Dulari (One of my father's favourate):
Suhani Raat Dhal Chuki Na Jaane Tum Kab Aaoge
Jahan Ki Rut Badal Chuki Na Jaane Tum Kab Aaoge
Nazaare Apni Mastiyaan Dikha Dikha Ke Kho Gaye
Sitaare Apni Roshni Luta Luta Ke So Gaye

Why can I not follow the powerful women's motto?