The newness of New year

The English calendar has taken another roll and it is new year across the globe wherever the gregorian calendar is observed.

I remember as a child New year was no less than our birthday for us. It was all about new clothes,  new accessories, lots of sweets and candies, the last day of school vacations and lots of fun, games and wishes.

A few years yonder as little girls and boys, it gained more priority. What with all the new year plans and resolutions, and heedings from teachers and parents to make this occasion an opportunity to excel, improvise or change for better. Lots of resolutions were made and broken, lots of goals were set and accomplished/abandoned, and lots of promises were made and kept.

As we grew into teenagers and our avenues and dimensions expanded, group resolutions and plans were made, diaries and notes kept, memories were captured in words and images and greeting cards and gifts exchanged. New year became a time to let bygones be bygones, reconcile differences among friends and mend broken hearts.

image courtesy: www.gettyimages.com

This ritual continued more or less unaltered through our college years, and then suddenly, stealthily all definitions changed as life changed gears, and new year plans, resolutions, exchanges and all seemed childish.

But the joy and hope of new beginning remains and my wishes on new year are more heart-felt and sincere. New year means new endeavours, new interests and renewed hope and confidence to me.

And I have planned a whole month dedicated to bring in the new year, connect the past with the future and glorify the gifts given to us and the inspirations that enlighten us. There would be a very special dedication to a wonderful legend, few expression of talents, and a very unique series of guest-blogs spread across the month from some really wonderful friends I met last year.

The joys of Ramadhan and it's Eid

With the blessed, soulful and precious month of Ramadhan ready to bid us adieu, and all of us ready to move on to life as usual with a cleaner heart, calmer mind, clearer conscience and a cured soul; there is a twitch in the heart like each year over missing the charm, grace and bliss this month possesses. The joy, solace and magic this month beholds is just beyond words to express.

It bringeth joy in its coming,
And giveth joy even in its retreat.

I miss those carefree days of childhood, when I used to scamper to our roof-top through hedges and gate-grills just to sight the appearance of the Eid's crescent. There would be no need for it. They would announce it anyway in all the mosques of the town, and it would also be known via news media, but the joy of being the first to sight and herald the pencil-thin streak of silver over twilight hinged backdrop is beyond comparison.

Though I cannot indulge in this annual ritual now, the joy prevails. But the true joy of Eid resides in sharing. Allah commands all those with convenience and who have fasted in Ramadhan to give a certain sum of money to our needy brethen in the last days of this month, so that even they can partake in the celebration of Eid, and not to dishearten any soul (any given day) esp. today.

There is also a ritual of Eidi in this occassion, according to which all the elders distribute little tokens of gift usually money to all the children of the household and neighbourhood. The kids are free to use the gifts as they like (but the elders do try to ensure they don't squander off the money). It's a joy to see the kids restless to claim their Eidi, rejoice in getting it and eager to spend it on their wish-list.

When we were younger my sister and I used pool in both our collection, and then buy something really valuable and useful stuff from it. We have bought a board of carrom, A series of Children's knowedge bank, a wonderful set of recipe book, and few more such stuffs over the years. It remains as our joint possession to this day and we still adore them all.

Eid ul Fitr is truly a harbinger of many joys, and I wish from the depths of my heart that it is celebrated with peace, harmony and joy across the globe, and all find joy in its wake.

Wishing you all a very happy, very blessed and very memorable Eid-ul-Fitr.

The joy of small things

Where has the joy disappeared,
Over the first drops of rain?
Where is it lost,
Even on seeing the sun shine once again?

Is it also gone,
From seeing a bud unfold and grow?
From sitting around a fire
To exchange tales and lore?

Will we never be happy now,
Over little notes and gifts of love?
Maybe just a wee trinklet,
A book or a dove!

Let's just suffice it to say,
We are above all these trifles now;
We don't know of their beauty,
Or even exactly as to they feel how!