Buddha's Wisdom.

We are prisoners of our own expectations.
Inviting in our lives, misery at the cost of desires.
We were born free, once upon a time.
Devoid of anything but an instinct to survive.
Drawing breath, our only skill, to stay alive.

Building dungeons and cages around us.
To imprison our own happiness.
Illusive as it is, capturing sadness instead.
Staring at its painful face, searching for existence's worth.
Wondering about life's root cause for serenity's dearth.

Break the chains of expectations and set your mind free.
Let peace guard our hearts from desires.
Life happens at its own pace, no point rushing it otherwise.
Feel the gentle tug of contentment, as time slowly slips like sand from a fist.
Enriching your life with good Karmas, that is life's  singular gist.

Sketch by Mrs. Kanak Sinha

The first Summer rain.

Scorching Sun dries and makes brittle the leaves, Earth starts cracking up like honeycomb.
Birds fly high and low to find  just a few drops of water to quench their thirst. Stray animals find shade under the trees and in  abandoned half built houses. People  try to stay indoors to be safe from the brutal heat.

...and then the clouds are summoned,  vast expanse of sky turns grey, air turns cool, wind picks up speed. Dust swirls make small whirlwinds with dried leaves. The wind chimes start tinkling rhythmically,  trees start swaying to the music of dust filled breeze, eyes are turned towards the sky, in anticipation of that first drop.

...and when the first  drops fall and hit the dried earth, the smell of wet earth intoxicates the senses like thousand  sirens. The drops turn to a gentle shower, a drizzle. Sky makes noise to declare freedom from heat, lightning is like celebration of nature. Dust settles, plants get a well deserved wash. The roads start shining. Dogs in the neighbourhood start barking, going round and round in circles with their tongues sticking out.

People come out of the homes for no reason at all, conversations start budding. Children start dancing, screaming, getting wet, soaked, drenched. Grown ups also stretch their arms to feel the rain on their palms as if they have never touched water before.

The first shower of summer is like magic, magic which leaves us  desiring for more, to experience more, to enjoy more, to feel more, to live more .

Alternatives

There are just two alternatives in life, either be happy or sulk, either admire or criticize, either laugh or cry. The choice is ours to make.

Those who always see negative in everything are the ones who let happiness slip away from their fists like sand. Slowly draining away life from them. While those who focus on positives are the ones capturing happiness in their fists like air. Air, which stays even when the fist is open.

Life is neither a bed of roses nor a field of thorns. It is a combination of both. People searching for happiness outside of their own hearts are the ones who never find it or miss on it. For it is a state of mind, a desire, a tenant of the soul.

They do not absorb the goodness in their surrounding, they sulk, complain, criticize. Make others uncomfortable, get ignored and mistreated by others.

People avoid their company, pretend to be indifferent to their needs and definitely do not want to waste their emotions and energy in pacifying or placating these tortured souls.
Unfortunately, they are like thunderbolts which attract attention, cause severe damage and are finally forgotten.

On the other hand, there are people who bring out from within themselves the most common yet the rarest of feelings; happiness, joy. Sprinkling the world with their laughter, love and positive energy.

These people brighten other people's lives. They absorb pain and pleasure around them and convert it into energy which is like evergreen music.
They are like monsoon rain, which washes all the dirt, cleans everything and leaves a lasting impression. For they embrace life as it is, without any complains.

The choice is ours, who we want to be? How we want to spend the rest of our lives? What we want to achieve?

Spring 3

Flower Vase

Spring is fast approaching; Mother Nature is pregnant with new life. Animals and birds are waiting to get out of their shells and hidings to soak up the Sun.To enjoy the abundance of nature and start new lives. Seeds are losing their coats and about to turn into tiny plants. Trees are adorned with beautiful new leaves. Flowers have started bursting out in colors.