What is life, reverberates in my head when I get up this morning. Random thoughts fly in my head. I don't realize why have I come up with this question when everything around me seems to be in its perfect position. But once this avalanche of stray thoughts slows down a bit, I become aware why has it been there this whole question of the meaning and purpose of life.

In a recently read article, the author advised not to mingle with anyone else's business in life and consequently happiness and contentment will follow you. She had simply divided the whole scheme of interaction in the world to three kinds of business. The first one she called God's business where we have no control at all. The second was 'your' business or let's say others' business. Others here includes everyone except you. And the final category was 'my' business. I was not at ease with not mingling with anyone's business. If my business doesn't come in contact with others' business then, I don't think I will be worldly at all. To attain such contentment, to my mind appears just one way and that is leaving all your worldly associations. To dissociate from the web of worldly connections is the strength of a few. But, my mind questions yet again. Will I be happy when I get free from the clutches of all the earthly bonds and ties? What is the purpose of life? I can't figure out how am I supposed to feel, if I need to be the way I am right now , materialistic, affected by my environment and surroundings or be free in the real sense of the word.

A few days ago, one of my friends lost his father. When I hear of death, I think of my associations. And then I feel, it is such a waste of time fighting, quarreling, being jealous, getting angry, not talking at all to someone whom you loved at some point of time. What will be the end result? Everyone has the same fate. It is just the way you reach the concluding chapter of life or perhaps the new beginning( I have no clue) that might differ. But it again comes back to the meddling of businesses. We are so badly entangled in this labyrinth that sometimes I am forced to think that we are actually condemned to live our lives. For the ones who leave us, they are free of all the associations but the ones who are left, we are the ones who need to carry on. What is this life then and what is my purpose in this wide worldly web?

Mission Incomplete!!

So yesterday was a tiring day for me. After my tennis match in morning, I had to get going for the last day of the workshop that I had been attending for past two days. The workshop was not at all linked to my area of study, but as I am fascinated by the whole concept of conservation of cultural heritage, I decided I would attend it anyway and it was for free, all the more reason to be there. So this workshop was on Conservation of Oil Paintings. I have no background of Oil paintings or for that matter any kind of paintings. Even though, only for my fascination's sake, I went ahead. And thankfully, it turned out to be so interesting. I, however, do not know whether I would be actually able to bring to use all the information I gathered. But atleast I have the basic knowledge about the structure, deterioration, reinforcement of the paintings. 

After we finished the last session, and after having thanked all the facilitators, we decided to go to the close by Lodhi Gardens. Four of us had never seen it before. We walked, chatted, exchanged stories, giggled, made fun of each other (I don't know about others but I did it a few times ) and then was the moment to come back home(hostel). 

By the time I had come back I was already too tired for anything. However, I decided to continue with my routine to go to the library and do some work. I had the special dinner they gave, which I didn't feel was that special. And then went to the library. I thought after having taken bath, I was re-energised to study. To some extent I was but I knew I would not be able to bear it for long. I tried concentrating on the laptop's screen. For a while I was there, a little later though, I found myself dozing off. I realized I had to get and sleep. Also, because I had to get up early for the tennis match I had.

Before going to bed, I reminded my friend of the upcoming loss of today's match. Or was it a way to motivate myself that I had to win. Whatever it was! So, I get up this morning, not that enthusiastic about defeating my opponent. Well, we reach the tennis court, start practicing. All the shots I play are not at all up to the mark. one backhand shot (even though I was playing tennis) goes for a six as in cricket. So I am definitely not in my element today. We decide to start playing the match. As the tradition goes, I start serving first. My first game score is not at all encouraging, 0-15, 0-30, 15-30, 15-40 and finally I lose it to make the score look like 0-1. 

It is my opponent's turn to serve. It seems like we have an unsigned pact that we will lose the games we serve for. So he loses this game to me, and the score gets to 1-1. I am satisfied with the score and am continuously motivating myself to play well. 

The next two games are just wonderful, because this has never happened before. I take the lead 2-1, and then 3-1. I am quite delighted with the score, but I know I have to keep up the rhythm that I have got into. Well that is what is the most difficult to do. Even though I didn't let it slip away easily from my hands, I finally lose the match. Where once it had been 3-1, it gradually becomes 3-3. And afterwards, my friend rises up to win the set by 3-6. Nevermind, I will do better next time. This is what I tell to myself. But I am happy with a few shots I played. You can in fact feel the shots that are well played. As the ball drops into your court, you reach out for it, you bring your racket to the exactly right place and as the ball hits the string, the sound it produces , you know that it is going to be a good shot anyway.(For the great players, it's always like that, but someone like me , who plays more shots out of the court than within it,is a great achievement). So my mission is yet not accomplished. Shall succeed soon I guess!!