The five agreements

Today something did not go the way it should have gone. But even after that I am not feeling sad. If same thing had happened a year back, I would have been a little sad. But its not same now. I am changing and changed quite a bit and yes for good. :)

I went for run today, after running went to have orange juice at Jamba juice. There was a book "The four agreements" and I liked the four agreements mentioned in the book. And I think I follow most of it now, so I am not sad today even when things don't go the right way.

1. Be impeccable with your word - Speak with integrity. Say only what you mean. Avoid using the word to speak against yourself or to gossip about others.

2. Dont take anything personally - Nothing others do is because of you. What others say and do is projection of their own reality, their own dream. When you are immune to opinions and actions of others, you won't be victim of needless suffering.

3. Don't make assumptions - Find the courage to ask questions and to express what you really want.

4. Always do your best - Your best is going to change from moment to moment; it will be different when you are healthy as opposed to sick. Under any circumstances do your best, and you will avoid self-judgment, self-abuse and regret.

Adding another thing to that list which I try to follow -
5. Don't hold grudges - against people even if they have hurt you, caused you loss, made you feel pathetic. That will help you in forgiving yourself, forgiving others and being fresh every moment. Everyone has their own reasons of doing things the way they do, and you cant ask reasons for everything.

A confession though, sometimes it hurts you by being good to others, but hurting yourself can be taken care of in just a snap shot, while mending it with others takes lifetime.

Cheers,
Poonam.

New York

I had been to New York this weekend. Loved it again. It was my third trip to New York, the first two being interview trips, this was my New York trip. I love the energy the city has. Everyone is on move, lights, people, subways, maps, its fun. After two days of hubhub, I am not feeling tired at all. That is the energy the city has, and I love everything that energizes me.

Couple of incidents-
I was waiting for a bus just outside my hotel. There was a lady, in her 40s, waiting there for her bus. I asked her to confirm if my bus was coming there as well. And then the conversation-
Lady: Aap India se ho?
Me: Haan, mein India se hu.
Lady: Mein Pakistan se hu.
Me: Pakistan se.
Lady: Bahut acha lagta hai apne logo ko dekh kar. Mein tumhe kaafi der se dekh rahi hu, jab tum hotel se yaha chal ke aa rahi thi.
Me: Haan, acha lagta hai bahut. Aap idhar rehti ho?
Lady: Haan, idhar hi paas mein rehti hu. Tum job kar rahi ho ya padhai?
Me: Abhi job kar rahi hu, Colorado mein.
Lady: Acha. Aj kal to job ki kitni problem chal rahi hai. Mein idhar Laguardia airport ki security mein kaam karti thi. Mere manager ne mera id le liya and boli ki "I will call you", aur 2 mahine se abhi tak nahi bulaya. Abhi mein naya job dhundh rahi hu. Usike liye jaa rahi hu. Peechle 2 mahino se meri behne hi mera rent bhar rahi hai, mujhe help kar rahi hai.
Me: Ohh.
Lady: Beta, tumhari bus aa gayi hai. Change lagega.
Me: Haan, aunty hai change. Acha chalti hu mein. Aap ko job search ke liya Good Luck. Jaldi mil jayega job.
Lady: Mein bhi tumhare liye dua karungi. Khush rehna.
Thats it. I was happy. :)

1 bus trip costs 2 dollars. I had 1 dollar bill and 1 dollar quarter change. I board the bus and the bus driver tells me that he does not take 1 dollar bills. He takes quarters only. And he shouts in the bus, asking if anyone has change for dollar bill. Luckily a Chinese guy has change for a dollar bill. He gives me the change and I give him dollar bill and thank him.

Then I reach the Jackson Heights subway station. Decide to buy a day pass, I go to the vending machines. When I was getting the pass, an asian lady who didnt know how to operate the vending machines was requesting a man to help her out. The man said, I am in hurry, cant help now. She asked me. I was in no hurry, I got her a pass with her money. She was happy and thanked me holding my hand. I returned the favor the Chinese guy did to me by helping the asian lady get her pass. Felt good.

Manhattan is as vibrant as it could be. So so so many high rising buildings, so many people, so many different things, its awesome. I surely want to live in New York some time of life. I had an opportunity some time back, but did not go then, was not sure if I would cope with the New York life. But now I want to live in New York and enjoy the energy and grandness of the city. I am sure it would be fun.

Another small incident at Denver airport - I was driving out of parking lot and had to pay the parking fees at one of the booths. The guy at the booth was a little dark. I had a small conversation with him -
Guy: Hi there, How are you?
Me: Hi. I am good. How are you?
Guy: Good. 22 dollars.
Gave him the credit card.
Guy: Are you from India?
Me: Yes.
Guy: You people have similar face and color like us.
Me: Where are you from?
Guy: Ethopia.
Me: Ethopia, nice.
Guy: Ok. Have a good evening dear.
Me: You have a good evening too.
I loved how the day went, meeting so many different people from different countries and the small nice conversations which I had with them. I am happy to be in a part of the world called US, where I meet so many different people.

Small small experiences are nice. And the best place to write it down is this blog. I am glad I have a blog.