GOOD MORNING

What are the first thoughts you have when you wake up? Do you think about the today that is unfurling in front of you or the yesterday that went past in a jiffy? Are there days where you find it difficult to emerge from the pool of quilts to reach out and jam the relentless alarm clock shut? Do some the days start with a uncannily natural awakening with all the enthusiasm to start the new day. Nevertheless, the first five minutes of your day and the thoughts that go through your head are perhaps that most amusing.

A symbolic person would probably attach importance to the way the day started. "Oh Shit!" I have had many days that began with that. Irrespective of what generated that expletive, I dont think that the shit that I start off with has much to do with the nature of the my day. On the more romantic side, there are some days when I glance out of the window and I see a bright orange gold line emerging amongst the browish silhouette of trees, a slow warmth pervades and reaches straight to my heart. But the euphoria is momentary, it does not perpetuate throughout the day.

Of course, there are days that you awaken to the chirping of industrious birds, nature's music, so beautiful and pure that it could well be nature's lullaby and not morning alarm. Whom am I kidding here, William Wordsworth, you belong to a different generation, to a different world. I way up to the increased honking of cars on 695 north. More and more vehicles add on to the road and zoom past on the highway, many have already started their day and I am rudely reminded that I am wiling away my time with that extra hour of sleep while I could be doing some productive work.

The first five minutes, shouldn't I be taking more notice of it, is nt it quite like an infant, waiting to see what is in store for it, how would it been when it grows into mid-afternoon, early evening and late night. Shouldn't I nuture it, so that it would become a successful day? And even if it really doesn't have much influence on the rest of the day, what do I have to lose? An elated feeling is welcome at any time of the day. Many a times I have earnestly wished that I could create an account of all the euphoric treasures and encash on them when I feel low. But then, if I put on my cynic clothes I would say "Ah my dear! A heady-high early morn would probably put your brain cells in a holiday mode - not a very productive state to be in!!!!"

First five minutes of the day - it is quite the JIFFY and I am setting out to make a life-time experience of it!! One fun project....lets see......

M.E - MY ENEMY

Life is one complicated battle, you design strategies, gather troops and build up your stock of artillery, and you are all set to attack. And then, you realize that this is an internal conflict. A catch-22 situation, charging ahead is the only way you can go, the arrows have left the bows, the ricochet has sounded. Do you face your own attack, do you fight it back? Can’t you turn your back and escape it?

There lingers, a sense of a black carpet engulfing you from outside and inside. You desperately look for a glimmer of hope, a beacon to see you through this smog. It feels claustrophobic; you want to shout your lungs out, but to beckon whom? They are deaf ears out there, since this off-key tune is perceptible by your ears alone. Your ears however, can hear them, but cannot listen to them. Tears of desperation well up in tired eyes, but this tidal wave cannot ebb – it has to be suppressed, then where does the pent up energy go, does it wreck a timeless havoc in your inside? Gnawing away at your abstract treasure, feasting on your soul, bringing you to your own defeat?

Solution is eluding you, your trials go futile repetitively, you come to accept a defeatist situation, but when it comes to meeting your internal eyes you look away, why, oh why?

This is the way life is, you never meet your enemy, you carry her with you, it is you who is your worst enemy. Success in life is defined by your friendship with this enemy Learn his weaknesses, use them to fuel your advance. And when the time approaches to make your life’s inventory, you should be able to say, I bring with me, my friend ME.