Slow does it!

Today's Times of India carried an article titled 'Slow does it!' by Sudeshna Chatterjee. It reminded how people scurry from one thing to the next in their pursuit of instant gratification. The article touched a very raw spot. It read,

" Remember how your grandmother lovingly laboured over your favourite kheer, just so that she'd get it right every time? Every ingredient that went into the kheer was specially sourced, and, from the consistency of the milk to the degree of sweetness, the level of precision involved was time consuming. In these days of instant kheer mixes, you'd think poor granny's kheer-making ritual was a tad too tedious.... whether we are talking, walking, eating, praying or playing, it's almost as if we are on a perpetual fast-forward mode"

The article also quotes some high flying professionals who have actually dumped their lucrative careers just to spend quality time with their families. Yes. These courageous people have made a choice.

I really loved the closing bit. "The race is not always to the finish. It is also a lot about how to get there." It's not about renouncement but about having the remote control in your hand and every so often putting the tabs on the speed limit.

Such small things as grandma's kheer have always been taken for granted. People who created those wonderful experiences specially for us too have been taken for granted. We rush along in our lives as if nothing or nobody else mattered. Then suddenly an article like this reminds us of the thin fibres that form the silent bond called relationships.

The newspaper also has huge colourful ads splashed all over - today is Father's Day! I will call Dad & Mum later in the day. Kids are still asleep. I will wait for their usual Sunday wake-up time. I walk over to my wife in the kitchen and grin thankfully at her. She reacts with a puzzled expression. I can see her wondering if I am alright.

The Sunday morning suddenly looks stunningly beautiful. Life is a treat!