GOOD MORNING MESSAGE #259

If you were the Creator of the Universe….

Good morning friends,

Imagine if you were the Creator,
Could you have made the world better?
Would you have achieved greater?
And emerged as a trend – setter?
When you’re younger you have this thought,
Older, you know His world is better than anything you sought.

The best thing He have us is Changing Seasons,
Indeed, everything, at all times, undergoes change.
You can just admire these whatever be the reasons,
There is, no doubt, an endless range.
Every minute, day, or season is indeed new,
Everything in God’s world dons a fresh hue.

Forget about individuals, all of us put together,
Can’t imagine – let alone make – His entire Creation,
We are all, so to say, birds of a feather,
All we can do is to chirp our admiration:
“Thank you, God, for the world you made,
We don’t want to change a single shade.”

….could you have done a better job?

GOOD MORNING MESSAGE #258

Have you ever wondered why this life was given to you?

Good morning friends,

Have you ever paused to guess,
Why God gave this life to you?
It is, of course, His way to bless,
To be born as humans, the very few.
Can life be just to eat and sleep,
Or for oneself to happiness seek?
Or, as Kabir said, to be sold cheap
Even though it is rare and unique?

The entire life is, but, an alluring maze,
It keeps us from realising our true worth;
Some simply go through it in a daze,
Others seek only comforts on Earth.
Scriptures give us the simile of the sea*,
That we have to cross to reach our goal.
When from our Ego** we become free,
And over the Five thieves*** we have control.

That’s the state when we merge with God,
And escape the cycle of Life and Death.
Everything else on Earth is simply fraud,
To keep us going from one to other breath.
Hence, let’s try to find who we really are,
God already gifted us this precious Life,
With Ego and Five thieves we can’t go far,
These can only add to unwanted strife.

*boat = bohith as given in Sri Guru Granth Sahib; to cross this sea you require the bohith of God’ name.

**Ego = haume’ as given in SGGS
***Five thieves: Kaam, Krodh, Lobh, Moh, Ahankar; that is: Lust, Rage, Greed, Attachment, and Conceit as given in SGGS

….it can’t simply be a journey from Life to Death.

GOOD MORNING MESSAGE #257

If you gave away all your money you would have nothing left….

Good morning friends,

If all your money you gave away,
You would have nothing left with you;
But, what would you have to say,
If Love, in the same condition, grew?
Material things come and go,
But Love goes on forever;
Even when you share it with a foe,
It is brought to nought never.

Love is another name for God,
As His own children, He loves us all;
His caring we can’t help applaud,
All are eligible whether big or small.
Of religion, language, caste or creed,
He makes no favours or exception,
Everyone is an equal indeed,
Everyone gets the same affection.

We need to spread the message of Love,
In the world full of enmity and hatred;
It is directly blessed by God above,
And hence it is pure, kind and sacred.
Every Man is of us a variation,
No Man is not related to us;
Believe in the Oneness of His Creation,
Differences are simply superfluous.

….now try giving away Love!

GOOD MORNING MESSAGE #256

God doesn’t expect you….

Good morning friends,

God isn’t a Pied Piper or a puppeteer,
He didn’t make humans as puppets or mice.
Hence, it’s not correct that He sent us here,
So that about His own powers He’d feel nice.
God has given us, at birth, a clean slate,
He empowered us to make our own destiny or fate.

Excelling in whatever we are destined to be,
Has been totally put in our own hands.
If we are determined we can change our own destiny,
And strive to make for life our own plans.
God has given us, at birth, a clean slate,
He empowered us to make our own destiny or fate.

Many, in the past, changed what they were born to do,
And let destiny be a slave to their grit and resolve.
Their stories of success should motivate me and you,
So that into the likeness of God we evolve.
God has given us, at birth, a clean slate,
He empowered us to make our own destiny or fate.

We shouldn’t give up trying and be defeated,
And make our destiny or fate an excuse.
No one can say we’d be judged as being conceited,
If our own future we were to choose.
God has given us, at birth, a clean slate,
He empowered us to make our own destiny or fate.

….to be resigned to your fate.

GOOD MORNING MESSAGE #255

Each one of us has a role to play….

Good morning friends,

Until I went to see a real bull-fight in Spain,
I used to think it is a very courageous sport.
Imagining that fighting a bull must be insane,
And a matador has to do it without support.

Now that I am wiser I know it’s more a play,
Than a brave fight it is made out to be;
In the three acts, the bull hardly has a say,
The final death of the bull is for all to see.

Similarly, God has given each one a role,
One has to perform to the best of ability.
None can see the entire play as a whole,
But we should accept our role in humility.

It is pointless coveting someone else’s part,
It doesn’t matter what you are given to enact.
Whatever is assigned, play it from the heart,
And then await the applause that you attract.

….we should play our part to the best of our abilities.




KAHIN PE, KABHI TO…

ज़िन्दगी महज़ चंद मुलाकातें हैं,
छुप छुप के कुछ धीमी धीमी बातें हैं।
दिन तो तेज़ रफ्तार से गुज़र गए,
अब तो चुप चुप ठहरी ठहरी सी रातें हैं।

चाहने और पाने में कितनी दूरी है,
कदम बढ़ के थम गए न जाने क्या मजबूरी है,
दर्द छुपाकर बहुत घूमते हैं इस दुनिया में,
हमें देखिए जिन्हें जीने के लिए दर्द ज़रूरी है।

सब कुछ गया पर उनका खयाल नहीं गया,
ज़िन्दगी का वो सोया हुआ सवाल नहीं गया,
क्यूं मिले थे उनसे जब मिलना ना था मुकद्दर में?
सांस रुकी है पर धड़कनों का उछाल नहीं गया।

क्यूं फिर से प्यार की राह अनजान लगती है?
क्यूं वो हैं भी पर दुनिया वीरान लगती है?
क्या होना था, अभी तो कुछ हुआ ही नहीं,
क्यूं चौराहे पर खड़ी ज़िन्दगी हैरान लगती है?

समझ आए तो हो सके हमें भी खबर करना,
कुछ लम्हे संग बिताए हुए लम्हों की नज़र करना,
शाम ए तन्हाई गर खत्म ना भी हो, रवि,
धुंधले उजाले में ही ज़िन्दगी की सहर करना।

GOOD MORNING MESSAGE #254

Keeping record of all your hurts and slights….

Keeping record of all your hurts and slights,
Is really the most fruitless task on earth.
You willfully cut out those lovely delights,
That are rife with wistfulness and mirth.

What exactly are you thinking of achieving,
By keeping in your heart that useless stuff?
If it is a garland of memories you’re weaving,
How would it help for you to be forever gruff?

(image courtesy: blogs.psychcentral.com)

Throw away that junk, make yourself free,
Trust me it doesn’t do good at any rate.
It’d keep you from being calm and happy,
As if you carry a great avoidable weight.

He has His record-keeper, He doesn’t need,
Any of us maintaining unnecessary records.
Just have faith that God’s system, indeed,
Will have its own demerits and rewards.

….is totally infructuous.

GOOD MORNING MESSAGE #253

One of the most miraculous things in the world….

It’s not possible to store even a nanosecond,
Time is ephemeral and it is gone forever.
There is something that we can later beckon,
It’s available to us whenever and wherever.
It is rare something we can later recall,
Months and years later it’d still enthrall.

Try it, you’ll find Happiness can be stored,
You can keep it and access it at a later date;
Say, when with your life you are bored,
Or you happen to be in a depressed state.
God has given us these miraculous powers,
Even in the deserts we can grow flowers.

(Image courtesy: http://www.dailytenminutes.com/2015/03/story-sharing-your-happiness.html)

There is another magical quality it possesses:
When you share it, it grows and multiplies.
Everybody’s sadness and sorrows it addresses,
When least expected it can swing a surprise.
You can carry it practically everywhere you go,
Share it with all and let them see the rainbow.

Lastly, no matter how old, it feels like new,
I haven’t heard of anyone bemoaning its age.
What a great gift God gave to me and you,
Happiness can be recalled at any given stage.
With this little poem I am sending you some,
Keep it and store it for all times to come.

….is that Happiness can be stored and recalled.

GOOD MORNING MESSAGE #252

One who treats all negatives and positives alike….

Good morning friends,

Have you ever been lonely and sad?
Do you remember how it made you feel?
Most often it would have made you glad,
That in this condition you learnt a great deal.
Happiness is a result,
Sadness is a learning;
In both you can exult,
If you’re discerning.

Nobody ever lives life with a constant emotion,
We should, indeed, thank God for that.
Sometimes it is quiet, at others there is commotion,
Life keeps changing its style or format.
It has ups and downs,
It has twists and turns.
There are varied sounds,
Thus experience one earns.

Both sorrow and joy have their uses,
Just as it is with failure and success.
Great is a person who gets them and refuses,
To view them with undue elation or stress.
Everything is god sent,
Everything has value,
Try to gauge His intent,
Yes, it is meant for you.

We often want to know life’s aim.
Without solving this simple clue.
Why is the worth of sorrows and joys the same?
Why clay and gold have the same value?
The person who can find,
Merges with His God,
He doesn’t let His mind,
By either be overawed.

….merges with His God.

GOOD MORNING MESSAGE #251

Worrying never makes things better….

Good morning friends,

There is no situation really so bad,
That worrying won’t make worse;
It does nothing to make you glad,
But acts, more or less, like a curse.
Hence, your leaving worrying to God,
Is a decision that is never flawed.

He gives you the requisite tools,
To deal with any given situation;
Worrying is something for the fools,
It only helps to add to frustration.
Hence, your leaving worrying to God,
Is a decision that is never flawed.

Have faith and you will soon find,
He would Himself show you the way;
To your situation He can never be blind,
All that you have to do is to pray.
Hence, your leaving worrying to God,
Is a decision that is never flawed.

Without worrying your mind is clear,
To tackle your situation much better;
Song on your lips replaces your fear,
And suddenly you become a go-getter.
Hence, your leaving worrying to God,
Is a decision that is never flawed.

….trust in God always does.

GOOD MORNING MESSAGE #250

You would have wasted the day….

Good morning friends,

Will you make someone smile today?
Will you be able to wipe someone’s tears?
Will you stop a friend from going astray?
Will your presence allay someone’s fears?
If not, you would have wasted the day,
Please do something about it right away.

However miserable you think you are,
There are others more miserable than you.
At least you have, of resources, a reservoir,
They, even for meals, stand in a queue.
God made you their messenger of hope,
So that with their destiny they can cope.

Most often you are not to share anything,
Other than empathy, a smile, a pat or a hug.
Of course there is great joy in freely giving,
And not to dismiss their needs with a shrug.
Give and earn a coveted place next to Him,
Give and bring cheers when things are grim.

In any case all that you have is actually His,
He only wants you to be His chosen man.
Don’t think about what was, will be and is,
Have faith in and rejoice in God’s plan.
“God, thank you that you chose me to share,
I can now be answer to someone’s prayer.”

….if you haven’t brought a smile to someone’s face.

GOOD MORNING MESSAGE #249

Who should we fear in our life?

Good morning friends,

As we go along in our lives,
Who should we fear the most?
Is it okay to fear the elements,
Or should we fear some ghost?

Do we fear the animals,
Especially those that’re wild?
Or should we fear monsters,
That have been unduly riled?

Are we to fear the future,
And what for us it’d hold?
Should we fear, when young,
Of becoming disabled or old?

You have nothing at all to fear,
When God is there with you;
No situation can ever scare you,
When He guides you through.

Darkness fades and shadows clear,
When God gives you His light;
No wrongs can obstruct your way,
When God leads you to the right.

When everyone else forsakes you,
He’s the only friend you require;
Like Arjuna with Krishna at the helm,
You go unscathed through the fire.

With God as your charioteer, you fear no one.

HAAY JEHAD!

हाय क्यों कर बैठे जेहाद,
पूरा मुल्क ही हो गया बर्बाद,
बस चीन ही बचा है ऐसा देश,
जो सुनता है हमारी फरयाद।
झूठ हमारी आदत बनी है,
चाहे कितने आएं एबोटाबाद।

हाय क्यों कर बैठे जेहाद,
पूरा मुल्क ही हो गया बर्बाद,
१९४७ में हिंदुस्तान और पाकिस्तान,
दो मुल्क हुए थे आजाद।
हम फिरते हैं मारे मारे,
और वह फिरते हैं होके आबाद।

हाय क्यों कर बैठे जेहाद,
पूरा मुल्क ही हो गया बर्बाद,
उनकी जीडीपी उछाले मारती,
यहां देहशत है हमारी जायदाद।
उनकी ख्वाहिश चांद को छूना,
कशमीर उजाड़ना है हमारी मुराद।

हाय क्यों कर बैठे जेहाद,
पूरा मुल्क ही हो गया बर्बाद,
वह करते हैं इंसानियत की पूजा,
खून खराबे का हमें है स्वाद।
फिर भी मद मस्ती में घूम रहे हैं।
शायद होश आए तबाही के बाद।


GOOD MORNING MESSAGE #248

Thank God for….

When I look around I see people wealthier than me,
Also, there is no doubt that some are healthier than me.
Many are more intelligent, cleverer and smarter,
Many have reached places whilst I’ve been a non-starter.
And yet, I know, God has given me better than the rest.
The overall blessing of Him to me has been by far the best.

God makes each one of us with specific purpose or aim,
And hence He can’t be giving to everyone abilities same.
It is for us to quickly discover what we’re meant to be,
And then to accept the matching abilities proudly.
We should be content with what we’ve been given,
And make the best of it, like a man who’s driven.

God, thank you for giving me the best in your store,
With it, honestly, I can never ask for more.
Just make me worthy of your gifts to me,
From jealousy and envy always keep me free.
Let me not find grass greener on the other side,
Let me take everything good or bad in my stride.

Thank you for making me happy and content.
Rather than living my life in useless lament.
The others have been equipped with what they need,
I too have been given, in my task, to succeed.
I don’t ever rue what they have or possess,
I thank you for your blessings and kindness.

….for what He has already given.

SOMEBODY ELSE’S WAR!

“War is a terrible business” said Herman Wouk in his celebrated work ‘The Caine Mutiny’, “In which people get killed and you’re damn glad you ain’t one of them.”

(Pic courtesy: Hindustan Times)

Listening to the Indian public debate after the incidents in the aftermath of Pulwama attacks, it would appear that despite our jingoism and consequent lion-hearted pronouncements, we’re damn glad we ain’t one of those who have to take action and decisions and risk their lives to protect the sovereignty and security of India, that is, Bharat.

Pakistan, having lost all wars against India, discovered that there is one tool that it has that not just brings India to its knees but successfully deters India from the military option to protect its interests. That tool is the tool of terrorism.

Lets first understand as to what do we require armed forces for. In the modern world, the primary task of the armed forces is to deter war by putting the fear of consequences in the enemy’s psyche. In our case we spend about two percent of our GDP every year to keep one of the largest armed forces in the world to drive this fear in the hearts and minds of the Pakistanis and the Chinese. Why do we require this deterrence? Simple, because its failure would interfere with our economic growth that would ensure planned good and secure life for our people.

Has this deterrence worked? It has worked largely with China. One of the reasons is that China itself has the desire to deter war for its own growth. Additionally, as far as conventional war is concerned, it has worked with Pakistan too. But, then, Pakistan, tasted  success in bringing a superpower (Russia) to its heels in Afghanistan through war by other means (Please read the book: ‘Afghanistan the Bear Trap: The Defeat of a Superpower’ by Mohammad Yousaf and Mark Adkin. Mohammad Yousaf was the Pakistani Brigadier General who masterminded the equipping and training of the Afghan mujahideen in their struggle against the Soviets in the 1980s. Mark Adkin was a Major in the British Army who polished the writing (memoirs) of the Pak Brigadier General. At that time, the United States, Britain and other allies were on the side of the mujahideen (terrorists engaged in proxy war). Incidentally, a free download of this book is available on the net.

The Mujahideen War in Afghanistan lasted from Dec 1979 to Feb 1989 with covert and not so covert support by the United States, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia.

As soon as its Western border was secured through the success of its proxy war, Pakistan turned to its Eastern neighbour India to apply the same formula to it. And that’s the beginning of the proxy war in Kashmir that we have faced for the last thirty years. The Western powers largely were unconcerned about the cross-border terrorism that India faced from Pakistan until the genie that they had helped unleash in Afghanistan turned to them (somewhat similar to how Indira Gandhi provided tacit support to splinter groups to weaken the Akalis in Punjab and they turned against her only and eventually killed her). After twelve years of Indians facing the brunt of proxy war alone, on 11th Sep 2001, the Americans themselves became the target of proxy war emanating from Al Qaeda (at that time in Afghanistan).

The United States had tough time telling its ex students in Afghanistan and Pakistan that the lessons of Bear Trap were not to be applied to the teacher itself. That was the beginning of the GWOT or the Global War on Terror. As was to be expected from the events (that I have given you a brief on) Pakistan became the hub of Global Terrorism. Terrorists became its strategic assets to bring the next superpower, India, to its heels by the honed and successful policy of “bleed by a thousand cuts.”

This means that as far as Indian security forces are concerned they have been fighting this war for the last thirty years. Then how is this that our people are largely unconcerned about it that their country has been in a state of war for three decades? It is simply because for most Indians, War is not something that affects them unless there are flagrant manifestations of it in, say, Parliament Attack, Mumbai Blasts, Pathankot, and Pulwama. This unconcern is so complete that many among our intelligentsia speak the same language as that of the terrorists, want the powers of the armed forces curtailed (eg AFSPA), and professional business as usual with Pakistan with the exchange of cultural programmes and sporting (especially cricket) events.

The present government tried to change the equation by attempting to increase the costs for Pakistan for waging the proxy war, by such punitive actions as Surgical Strikes and Air Strikes on Terror Camps (Please read: ‘Cross – LOC Surgical Counter – Terrorism Strikes, A New Indian Psyche And Resolve‘). However, our national debates (particularly on the electronic media) have invariably played into the hands of the Pakistanis. One day after the success of our air strikes, as soon as Pak retaliated, our public debate has veered to “dialogue”, “deescalation” and other such conciliatory moves.

When the deterrence of our massive armed forces hasn’t worked against Pakistan in the last thirty years of its waging a proxy war against us, our readiness to increase its costs for it should be seen as a very high priority by our countrymen. How can we play into the hands of the enemy that our recent action has resulted in escalation? Escalation is what Pakistan has done since 1989, not us. We only want to take punitive action against it so that it would stop this escalation, exactly what the armed forces are meant for.

On a debate in the electronic media, yesterday, it was suggested that if we don’t deescalate now countries that are supporting us now would withdraw support. I haven’t heard of anything more ludicrous. We do not take decisions in the interest of other countries and the enemy; we take decisions in the interest of India.

For this, we require, not just the armed forces but also the will of our people who are not deterred by small setbacks like MiG 21 having been brought down by Pakis, or by the sacrifices that they themselves have to make to bring an enemy to its senses.

We need to show this resolve and not prevaricate every now and then. The PM has given a “free-hand to the armed forces” to protect national interests (simply because other options such as dialogue haven’t worked with Pakistan). Let’s trust them since they have been trained to tackle such situations. They have never failed India in the past.

We are fighting a war. We need to defeat the enemy within before defeating the enemy across the border.

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