Within and Without

When we were kids, the only grooming we would be subjected to was a frequent hair cut. The frequency would be decided by our moms. We just ended up sitting in those gigantic chairs, sometimes propped on extra cushions and see ourselves frowning while the nice lady would spray us with cold water snipping away to glory. As we grew up, we decided for ourselves, when it was time for 'more than just a hair cut'. And the list has always grown. For everyone today, a monthly visit to the salon is mandatory, regardless of the skin type, hair length, time available and willingness to invest/spend in this area (choice of verb here is again relative).

And it is not as simple as it used to be. These days you have to choose your salon carefully. You always have to call in first and take an appointment, unless you want to wait up queued in for hours and be subjected to the snobbish stares of the staff. You also have to be prepared for an overdose of "You Look Ugly" comments from the staff that provides you the services you are paying through your nose for. No matter how good or bad you look, while getting that treatment, the 'nice' lady would go on and on about how badly you need a "Hair Spa", a facial, an Anti-Tanning Treatment or a Fruit Peel. With all the jargon thrown at you, and you are trying to decipher how peeling something off would make it better, you are also told how tanned and wrinkled your skin is, how rough your hair is and how unhealthy your nails are.

With all the "Must Have" Procedures thrown at you, you either dismiss getting any other torture done by saying you'll come back later for the same, or you get brainwashed and agree to what they tell you to do. Either which way, the end result is unsatisfactory. While in the former scenario, you come out of the salon feeling worthless, insignificant and just another Plain Jane, in the latter case, you just feel thoroughly robbed. Of course, if you do get all the extra add-ons done, they can't stop telling you how magnificent you look while you're paying that fat bill!

So it's up to you. Either you brave that well lit mirror and sit up strong willed saying to yourself that you DO NOT need that Hair Power Dose which claims to transform your hair, or you go in there ready to empty your bank account to feel oh-so-pretty for a few hours.

Anyhow - you would always be beautiful. Being pretty is just ephemeral.

The box of nuts

The insignificance in life is sometimes most important. The moments we ignore to run after what we see at the end of the tunnel are the ones that might bring us that rare smile. I remember walking with my grandfather to the shop around the corner for petty things like curds and stationery. He was a slow, cautious walker. He used to stop once in a while to pick up a screw or a nut or a bolt lying in the way. I used to find it very funny as a child. It was a little game for me. I would hunt the road as we walked to find my own treasures and show them proudly to him. He would just smile - that soothing smile of his. When we would come back home, he would keep these random nuts and bolts in a little tin box. We had a full fledged tool box and whatever appliance would need to be fixed in the house, he would get to work - using these nuts and bolts as spares. The entire set of spanners, screw drivers, files, etc were neatly stacked in one place for these odd Sunday jobs. Whether it was oiling the rattling fan, or priming the motor, we were his enthusiastic and officious assistants. At the end of the operation we would be assigned marks on 100, but none of us every aced that score. He always saved a mark or two. And that kept us going.

When we grew up, he gave us his coin collection and his stamp collection, which is the best inheritance I could get. Both are rich, old and varied. I guess I get my fetish for collecting bus tickets, movie tickets, dinner bills and the works from him :) I remember saving wrappers of chocolate that I used to share with a friend. I collect all the junk in the world. But I've learnt that most often than not - all isn't junk after all.

So coming back to the small things in life - an auto wala chatting you up, or the song that you are humming that automatically starts playing in the mall you are at, the friend you are thinking about who's thinking about calling you the very same moment, or even the one scoop of strawberry ice cream that you treat yourself to - these are the insignificant things that make your life significant - make it worth living.

So while going down that road - look for your treasures. By the end of it, you'll have a box full of shiny and rusty nuts and bolts!

I keep walking

Another day, another mile

And more.

I smile and meet someone new

At every turn

And I keep walking.

I do not shy away

From what's around the corner

I face the music

The repercussions too

And I keep walking.

I sing along

With every tread

With every hop,

Skip and Jump

I just keep walking.

I fumble and fall

At times, of course

I get laughed at

How would they let go?

Yet, I get up,

Shake it off.. and keep walking.