23 Days - 300KM - Funeral - Realization

May 2016, turned out to be a roller coaster of a month. So far, I consider it as the month of the year 2016. The title of my post summarizes it totally.

An episode of my life that took 23 days between a YES and NO happened in May. Today, sitting 6 months apart, I am very happy that the outcome was a NO. Sometimes you panic and think, Hey! what happened? Why did the tide rolled backwards? This episode (details held for now) has helped me understand that the Almighty has his own plans for you.

23 reasons why Allah cares for me?

1. I am fed, clothed and sheltered in a very comfortable manner.
2. I didn't get trapped in a tyrannous trap.
3. I know how to respect my elders and people in general
4. I am able to support my family, mentally, physically, economically etc etc
5. My prayers have been more timely
6. My peers are happy with me
7. I have very few haters :)
8. I am successful at work
9. I am getting newer ideas and proposals
10. I have common sense
11. I am more focused than ever before
12. My inner peace has not shattered
13. People who were supposed to be with me - are with me and vice versa
14. Prayers are getting answered
15. Work Keeps me Busy
16. I am motivated all the time
17. I have friends who love me for who I am
18. I am good at health, infact I improved
19. I went for a foreign trip and planning another one
20. I crave for learning and it never ends
21. I am getting my office renovated
22. I have a few talents that makes complete sense and supports all other points above
23. I can thank Allah, my parents and folks enough before I die

For, now that I have expressed my gratitude, I would like to reconcile a very important experience that taught me something special.

It was Friday night and I planned to watch a movie after work. With my brother, I set off to the theatre and made it there in time. Just before buying the tickets, my phone rang and a friend of mine called me asking to accompany him to his hometown which is 150KMs away - Nasik. I was surprised to realize such a sudden plan. Upon asking further I realized that someone had passed away in his family and it was urgent for him. I canceled the movie and headed straight to his place.

We started for Nasik at 9PM and reached at around 11PM and it was one crazy drive. The drive was nice though the situation was grim. We reached on time in order that we could be present during the rituals. I too joined them.

In the graveyard, as the rituals were going on, I kept hearing a few things like:

"Bhaijaan, body ko yaha se utaro" (Brother, take the body to the grave from this side)

"Bhaijaan, body ko left me lo" (Brother, take the body on left)

"Body ko sambhal ke utarna" (Brother, be careful while lowering the body in grave)

and so on.. This was a moment of true realization.

Your entire life, you have a name, an identity, an outlook. Make the most of it. Once dead, you are just another body that enters the grave. Use all the time you've got wisely. Do the best for yourself and others.

Lets make this one life as helpful and great for the beings around us. Lets live a life. As the saying goes... "Zindagi badi honi chahiye, lambi nahi" ("Live a large life, not a long one").

Amen.