Skip to main content

It's 100 - The Measure of Success

I seldom set off on a tour or a trek without a book. Books are my source of relaxation and a welcome diversion from the rigors of travel. On one such trip I found myself unwinding on a park bench overlooking a beautiful landscape. I reached for a book within my bag but soon realized that I had left the book behind at home. I had no other recourse but to pull out my mobile and start reading my own blog. 15-20 minutes later when I resumed my trek, the only feeling I had was that my blog made some sense, that for me was my first measure of success. 

Life gets very complicated when we refuse to understand or analyze the motivations behind our actions. Life Etc Etc should have been done years ago when a series of personal misfortunes rocked me. The blog and everything associated with it became the farthest thing on my mind during that period. While I was piecing my life together, I remembered something that my mother told me when I was at school. She advised me that things become easier to analyze and interpret once you put them on paper. I followed her advise diligently to figure out mathematical equations, chemical formulae, English grammar, logical reasoning questions..so on and so forth. Many years later at that critical juncture, I wondered why not follow the same method for figuring out life? 

I needed a medium to figure out life and it didn't take long for me to discover that Life Etc Etc was my go-to medium for filtering out my thoughts and laying the foundation for the way forward. Thus started the second chapter of not only my blog  but also my life. This chapter couldn't have taken off without a solid value system about which I talked at length in my 75th blog. Adhering to those values and reminding myself that I am not selling opinions every time I write a blog is a quality measure that I have for my success. 



Throughout the years I made it a point to never write this blog merely for adulation but whenever someone came back to me with a reply, feedback or observation about my blog it made my day. I cannot celebrate this 100th milestone without treasuring all my readers who have stayed firm with me over the years. Thank you for persevering with Life Etc Etc through all it's changes and manifestations.  Thank you for goading me to start writing when my next blog post was overdue. Thank you for adding your own experiences to my observations. Having all of you along with me on this expedition is a true measure of my success.

***

I got off at the Heathrow Aiport in London with a layover of almost a day before my next flight.  I had checked beforehand that hotels for overnight stay would be available around Terminal 5 of the airport. One particular Travelodge hotel attracted my attention based on the price and the amenities it offered. I made my way to Terminal 5 where I chanced upon a Hotel Reservation Kiosk. The Kiosk manager didn't work with the hotel I was interested in but was kind enough to help me procure shuttle tickets for the hotel and guided me to the exact spot where the shuttle would pick me up. The shuttle came soon enough and I boarded it along with an elderly couple. When I presented my ticket, the couple realized they had to purchase tickets prior to departure and that they could only pay in cash for the tickets on the shuttle. Since they didn't have the requisite foreign exchange they had no other option but to get off and wait for the next shuttle. I wondered what would have happened to me had I not run into the helpful Kiosk manager. 

My day wasn't done yet, I received a rude jolt at the hotel when the receptionist told me that they didn't accept walk-ins and that I had to book online prior to checking in. I was in a very awkward spot, the data plan on my phone was running out which meant I faced the possibility of returning to the airport and spending my night there. Destiny smiles upon you when you least expect it, a lady from amongst the customers who were checking in noticed my predicament and handed me her phone. "Here Dear! take my phone and finish your booking", I was startled by her generosity but jumped at the opportunity. I finished my booking soon enough and was duly checked in. I couldn't thank the lady enough for her magnanimity. She in her inimitable style just said "That's alright dear. You needed a place to rest for the night and I am glad I could be of some help".

Today morning, while I was recounting the sequence of events I understood a lot of good that happens in our life is not due to intellect or talent but just down to pure serendipity. I could have easily missed the Hotel Kiosk and could have ended up in the Airport without a room for the night. Yet I received the help exactly when I needed it. I take this piece of good fortune both as a blessing and as a learning which I can put to use during my future trips. As I am penning this blog an elderly gentleman who was waiting along with me at the Airport Lounge approached me with a network issue on his phone and I helped him connect to the Airport Wi-Fi. Maybe this is my way of paying it forward. Tipping my hat to life as I try to comprehend it's magic is probably my measure of success. 

I started Life Etc Etc as a student in Canada. I retired it almost in India before restarting it. I continued it in Canada before writing it's 100th post in England. A tale of three continents, a saga of several experiences and a journey of a lifetime. My romance with life continues and that ladies and gentlemen is definitely my measure of success. 

Until Next Time,

Yours Contently,

Chaitanya J.J.

Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular Posts

Zamarrud Theatre Hyderabad

More than two decades ago a 5 year old boy (yours truly) found himself in Abids which was certainly then the microcosm of Hyderabad. Abids in the 80s <Courtesy: OkaTeluguAbbayi > The occasion was a family outing to Zamarrud Cinema. And we are stepping out for not just any movie my friends, my parents decided that nothing less than the Raj Kapoor blockbuster Chori Chori was good enough for us. To be honest I wasn't exactly enthused about watching a black and white film of a bygone era even though the movie had all the credentials of a classic. But that was before I saw Zamarrud, the theatre where the movie was being played. Nested in the heart of Abids, Zamarrud was the perfect amalgamation of Hyderabad's old world charm and new fangled ways. Zamarrud was not just any theatre, it was one of the first air conditioned halls in Hyderabad, a premiere cinema hall which used to host the best of what the film industry had to offer and the place to go for Hyderabad...
9 comments
Read more

The grandeur of Gandikota Fort

 Where? About 400 kms from Hyderabad. Gandikota fort overlooking the gorge over Pennar river What is it? A picturesque fort on top of a gorge steeped in history and relevant for multiethnic communities. Plaque detailing the history of Gandikota fort What greeted us within the fort? We made our way into the fort through a majestic entrance which was constructed wide enough for the royal elephants to march in. The majestic entrance of Gandikota fort Gandikota's own version of Charminar and an ancient prison house were the next stops on the journey. Charminar - Gandikota fort version The ancient prison house - Gandikota fort Then, the magnificent Madhavaraya temple with its awe-inspiring gopuram and resplendently carved pavilions emerged. This temple is an excellent example of Vijayanagara school of architecture.  The spectacular Madhavaraya temple within the Gandikota fort   Vijayanagara school of architecture - Madhavaraya temple pavilions Next stop was to the Gandikota go...
Post a Comment
Read more

Parmanu: The Story of Pokhran

Backdrop: I diligently avoid docudramas based on real incidents as they only rehash what we already know without adding anything new. That's precisely the reason why I avoided watching Parmanu all these weeks but it's been a while since I saw a movie and the lack of decent fair at the cinemas coupled with upbeat critical reviews for Parmanu finally cajoled me into watching it. Boy! Was I thrilled to watch a competent movie which was slick and gripping till the very end. The verdict is out first but keep reading as to what makes this movie a recommended watch . (Credits: IndiaToday.in ) Plot: It's 1995 and India is facing an existential crisis amidst mounting defensive and strategic pressures from it's neighboring countries. I.A.S. officer, Ashwat Raina ( John Abraham ), believes that India's road to political parity lies in establishing a nuclear program. The recommendation is taken up but Ashwat Raina's plan is not followed to the ' T', resu...
1 comment
Read more

At Bertram's Hotel - Not one of Agatha Christie's finest

In a nutshell A plodding whodunit which takes its own sweet time to set things up but doesn't quite deliver the punch at the end with its reveal. Plot  Miss Marple returns to a favorite childhood spot, Bertram's hotel, to experience the nostalgia of the bygone years. The hotel's guests include Miss Marple's gregarious friend Selena Hazy, absent minded Canon Pennyfather who's making his way to a conference in Lucerne via London, hypervigilant Colonel Luscombe accompanied by his precocious ward Elvira Blake and tabloid friendly socialite Lady Bess Sedgwick who always seems to have a knack of generating headlines. While Miss Marple does take great pleasure in the comforts of the place she also quickly comes to sense that there's something sinister going on behind all that external facade. While a motley group of characters is permeating Bertram's hotel, the city is being terrorized by the daring thefts of a criminal gang which has evaded the police by skillfull...
Post a Comment
Read more

Cover Up (1949) - Endearing mystery drama

In a nutshell A delightful whodunit set during the Christmas time with some compelling performances, brisk pacing and a happy ending. Plot   Sam Donovan ( Dennis O'Keefe ), an insurance investigator sets off for a small town to delve into the suicide of one, Roger Philips, who by all accounts was an extremely unpleasant man. On the way there he runs into Anita Weatherby ( Barbara Britton ), daughter of a wealthy banker in Philips' town, Stu Weatherby ( Art Baker ). The two hit off instantly and Sam makes plans to visit the Weatherby family once he's done wrapping up the Philips case.   Dennis O'Keefe and Barbara Britton <Credits: Cult Cinema Classics > Upon arrival Sam calls upon Sheriff Larry Best ( William Bendix ) to clarify the details of the case only to find all his inquiries being thwarted. Through the evasive replies, Sam learns that no weapon was recovered from the victim's side and the coroner who could have thrown some light into the circumstances o...
Post a Comment
Read more