Why are we here?

As I logged on to facebook the other day, I saw that a close friend had posted a cosmic kind of a question on her wall. She wanted to have an insight into what we are doing on the face of this earth! Why are we here, she mused, what is the purpose of our being on this Earth? Soon, she had a flurry of replies telling her to have her morning coffee and do something meaningful so she would not have such bizarre thoughts. She was mad because that was not what she wanted to hear.

What was even more bizarre is that I have had this question in my head from as early as fifth grade. I would ask my mom, why are we here? What is left if this earth and we, were to cease to exist? My mother would tell me to go out and play. She had said to me that I was scared ever since it dawned on me that we were ON the sphere that we call Earth and NOT cocooned inside of it as I had earlier imagined. Ever since then I used to ask her that if gravity were to suddenly fail for some reason, where would we fall off and land? Finally one day, someone said we would all float into space. That is when I began to think why we were here in the first place!

Life changes fast. I definitely think that after I got to eighth grade, time began to fly by faster. The year would be done in no time at all, and it would be time for another new year. That pace has only gotten faster and faster. However, life has changed dramatically while time was busy flying. I was watching an old Hindi movie where village life was portrayed. What struck me was how slow the pace of life was! Those people were in no hurry at all! I agree it was just a movie, but life used to be like that, I am told. Nothing HAD to be done right now, like it is now. There were no schedules and calenders reminding us that everyday there was/were some thing(s) to be taken care of. I have heard people say they would not have it any other way, and then the next thing they say is how hectic life has become and that the stress is building up.

My husband asked me if I wanted a phone that would tell me if I had a new email as soon as I received it. I put my foot down and said no! This was how things got complicated. Once I knew there was an email, I would want to read it, which would mess with what I was doing in the first place. Do I really want something that is going to create more chaos than there already is in my life? No way! I do not wish to be ruled by a gadget!

There was a feature in the evening news about a family that moved away from city life, into a home that was secluded, had no TV, and electronic games, and the parents wanted their children to get back to nature. I do not know what they are up to now. The idea had really appealed to me when I watched it though. Now I know that many of you who are reading this will think that these thoughts are those of an idle mind, but come to think of it, at the end of the day, what does one want? Do you want to be at peace with the day that just went by? Or are you going to bed with thoughts of another action packed day with a dozen errands to run and another packed schedule?

I know that each one has a duty to perform, whether it is that of a parent, a child, a student, or a job holder, and we are supposed to be taking care of our responsibilities in the best way possible. That is the purpose, but delve deeper into this and you will know what I mean...

I do not have the answer to it, I am also sending out this cosmic question. What is the purpose of our existence?

Spring is here!

And the cycle of seasons continues! Winter is on its way out and the signs of spring are slowly appearing. An especially harsh winter, in many senses of the word, is finally coming to an end! The yard has taken a beating. The grass, the trees, the shrubs, all cry out for warmer weather and sunshine, and it is almost here. I was out looking at the plants and saw some surprising outcomes after this season.

My Curry plant that I had been given by a friend when it was a tiny sapling about eight inches high, does not look as if it has made it. This was the first winter that I had to keep reminding myself not to run into the yard to bring in the leaves as I cooked, because there were none. It had gotten large, it stood taller than me, and had abundant leaves. I am not sure if it is going to come back to life.

The Asian Jasmine is seventy percent dead, burnt by the frost. The part that is still green has no buds. Usually. at this time of the year, the whole plant takes on a pinkish hue with buds all over. In a few days, there are hundreds of fresh white flowers that are so wonderfully fragrant that people turn heads to look for the source. I had to move it twice before I finally had found this spot for it, right by the front porch, where it did not take a beating from the strong Texas sun in summer. I have had friends drop by for a chat and decided to stand outside and chat instead of sitting indoors, in the lovely fragrant setting.. 

As I walked to examine more damage, I noticed these little things growing out from in between the dead fronds of the Foxtail Asparagus Fern. What a blessing that one survived!

I had two Oleanders that gave abundant flowers all through spring and summer. It appears that they have not made it. I am told to give it time, as they may revive. We pruned the dead branches and allowed for the sun to warm them up and hopefully sprout out some new leaves.

The big palm is alive, but all the leaves are burnt and look a mess. I wonder how much a landscaper will charge to pull down those huge leaves. My Azaleas are looking good, they were the ones I thought will succumb, but there are surprises like that all over the yard. The Roses seem okay, and need to be pruned.

Some not so pretty creatures were out too, looking around with me. Hi there!!!

My maple is bursting with new buds, it is a tree from the temperate region and did not mind the winter that much. Look at that tiny leaf waiting to get out.

That is the story from my yard. Some things make it, some don't. We like the things we love to stick around as long as possible so we can enjoy having them around. We do not always get our wishes. However, life goes on! However harsh the winter, spring is always round the corner brimming with life, freshness and hope!

Spring is here!

And the cycle of seasons continues! Winter is on its way out and the signs of spring are slowly appearing. An especially harsh winter, in many senses of the word, is finally coming to an end! The yard has taken a beating. The grass, the trees, the shrubs, all cry out for warmer weather and sunshine, and it is almost here. I was out looking at the plants and saw some surprising outcomes after this season.

My Curry plant that I had been given by a friend when it was a tiny sapling about eight inches high, does not look as if it has made it. This was the first winter that I had to keep reminding myself not to run into the yard to bring in the leaves as I cooked, because there were none. It had gotten large, it stood taller than me, and had abundant leaves. I am not sure if it is going to come back to life.

The Asian Jasmine is seventy percent dead, burnt by the frost. The part that is still green has no buds. Usually. at this time of the year, the whole plant takes on a pinkish hue with buds all over. In a few days, there are hundreds of fresh white flowers that are so wonderfully fragrant that people turn heads to look for the source. I had to move it twice before I finally had found this spot for it, right by the front porch, where it did not take a beating from the strong Texas sun in summer. I have had friends drop by for a chat and decided to stand outside and chat instead of sitting indoors, in the lovely fragrant setting.. 

As I walked to examine more damage, I noticed these little things growing out from in between the dead fronds of the Foxtail Asparagus Fern. What a blessing that one survived!

I had two Oleanders that gave abundant flowers all through spring and summer. It appears that they have not made it. I am told to give it time, as they may revive. We pruned the dead branches and allowed for the sun to warm them up and hopefully sprout out some new leaves.

The big palm is alive, but all the leaves are burnt and look a mess. I wonder how much a landscaper will charge to pull down those huge leaves. My Azaleas are looking good, they were the ones I thought will succumb, but there are surprises like that all over the yard. The Roses seem okay, and need to be pruned.

Some not so pretty creatures were out too, looking around with me. Hi there!!!

My maple is bursting with new buds, it is a tree from the temperate region and did not mind the winter that much. Look at that tiny leaf waiting to get out.

That is the story from my yard. Some things make it, some don't. We like the things we love to stick around as long as possible so we can enjoy having them around. We do not always get our wishes. However, life goes on! However harsh the winter, spring is always round the corner brimming with life, freshness and hope!