It has been long since I posted anything here as I have been going through numerous changes – move to a new a new country, consulting a new client, new roomies etc. On and off I have thought of topics to post but nothing fructified. Here I am with my encounters that I have had with different people recently. Some of them have left a profound impact on me to the extent that I remember these incidents J
Encounter1
This was with a colleague named Suresh who was organizing Isha yoga program. I always wanted to enroll into some trusted program like this and get started or at least claim to know something about yoga J So, I enrolled only to find that I had to travel to a NJ, USA the same week. I had anticipated this based on past experiences: whenever you succeed in pushing yourself to do something out of your routine, your routine pushes back and wins! Therefore, I had suresh informed that I may leave half-way through the week-long program if this happens. And it did happen even before the program day. I was hesitant to give him this news and in fact, for a while I forgot that I am going to be missing that program and was chatting with him over instant messenger. Then when I did give him the news, he instantly came up to my desk. Earlier in the day, I had met him to handover a paper clipping on yoga that I found. Although I remembered his face & location, I couldn't recall his name at all. While I was embarrassed, he said "ask me another hundred times and I'll give you my name with the same patience". I had never heard such a response from anyone before. Now, here he comes to wish me good luck and surprisingly, to return the fee as well. My inner voice said 'see, this is what yoga could do to you!'
Encounter2
This time, my travel was planned at the last possible minute and I had loads of work on my head, literally J Landing on a Sunday night, I headed straight into the work week. I was waiting for the weekend to arrive and to head for a haircut. I entered the nearest spa and expected bills on the higher side based on previous experience on the west coast. As expected, the east coast turned out to be even more expensive as Jersey city, NJ is very close to one of the fashion capitals – New York. But, as I was chit-chatting with the hair stylist during the hour, she asked me what I did for a living. With a hint of hesitancy, I said I am consultant. Looks like the much abused term continues to maintain an image! She said she wanted to do a 'cool' job like that but ended up in this job. She suddenly asked, do you like this job? I wasn't well prepared for this one, I must admit. I said one has to like to be able to continue for years as I have and asked she continued to say that she really adores what she does and would do this even if she made money in lottery. She may or may not keep up with her words but, it had me thinking for a while and comes Monday, I walked in to work much more passion than the previous one when I had hardly landed from my flight!
Encounter3
Yesterday, I managed to make time to file for my social security, something mandatory in this part of the world. All it means to me is to get the number much need in every form you happen to fill. If someone knows more, please share by the way of comments here. After entering the SSN office, I asked the security at the frontdesk for directions. May be, he was in a weekend mood already, he barely pointed directions and I took up a form for filling and filled a seat near a lady with a kid. Almost done with the form, I was wonder where I should head next and having a new-born baby along-side, the lady seemed very approachable. She immediately picked holes in my form filling skills J and asked if I had a token. 'What token? Where?' I wondered but, she swiftly offered an extra token she had picked up 2 hours ago (saving 2 hours for me). Her turn came up soon and she was done with her name change and I continued my conversation after thanking her. She was from Pakistan and she read my face easily (Indian). When I queried on the situation back home, she was quick to express her concern. Her opinion was that the people want to unite but somehow some people spoil sport. She said she has close relative across the border going to show how closely knit the two countries are.
