Special moments to pause & ponder...

Dear friends & well-wishers,

Off lately, I had been brooding over why few days are celebrated every year? I mean year after year...every year. Ok! Let me put it this way...why birthdays, various anniversaries & days are important? Why do we celebrate these year after year?

I have heard that everyone, everything and every event has got a purpose on this earth. And so I thought that these occasions must have got some purpose...right? But what is that?

I find people saying that birthdays come every year, there is nothing special about them. Couples loose charm of celebrating wedding anniversaries. People don't feel enthusiasm in celebrating festivals; leave the days like mother's or father's day.

However, I think a bit different. In fact, I have the feeling that not only birthdays and anniversaries but even mother's day, father's day, children's day, teacher's day, friendship day and even valentine's day all are good to rejoice at. There is nothing wrong with that. I agree that few days are encouraged by business because of the monetary value but we need to look beyond it.

Ok just think...Most of them are the celebration of relationships; the heart of our happy lives...right?

Like a birthday is a day when we show our near ones that we value their presence in our lives and they are special to us. We may take a break to thank God for all the people he has bestowed in our life, we may thank God for providing all the occasions to do something good either for us or someone else, we may thank God for giving us wisdom to choose what is better for our near & dear ones...Yes, there are so many things to be grateful about.

Wedding anniversary is the day to celebrate the day when two soul mates started their journey to make life more fulfilling. It is the day to thank God & elders for their blessings. It is the day to affirm the life partner's presence.

We do respect our parents every day but Mother's & Father's day add special days in a year. Just think practically, everyday there are so many things we are busy with that we don't get time to feel the graceful presence of our parents. We take everything for granted. These days can make us to think specially about them. What is wrong with that? This can range from giving gifts they would love to have or even their medical check up and most importantly our time.

Same goes with other days...like teacher's day, children's day, and friendship day or even Valentine’s Day. There is nothing wrong in affirming the presence of people who have made our life more meaningful & easy & wonderful.

In Indian culture, we already value relationships and that is why we already have the days like 'Rakshabandhan', ‘Gurupurnima’ among many festivals. We also have kshamavani (Jain religion) a day of forgiving and seeking forgiveness.

One important thing, these days don't stop us in expressing our feelings on other days. We can always do that. But sometimes we move so fast that we miss all these basic things and don't feel the need to showwhat we feel. And believe me, it is very important. Afterall, we all have feelings. So if we have a dedicated day to express our gratitude, love or care that is good only...

Life is one of the most wonderful & unpredictable journeys and these special days & moments give us opportunity to value life& people around us. To think where we are? How far have we come? Are we really treading the right path? Who are our companions? Who are our true friends & well wishers? Are we really or whatever we have started really serving the purpose? Are we happy? Can we do something more or different to make life on this earth more beautiful? How can we make our life and the life around us full of love? There are lot many thoughts...

These special days give us valuable moments to pause & ponder about life. Celebrating them once in a year is fair enough.

Whether it is birthday or any other day, it is important, if not because of anything else then at least because these moments gives us a chance to touch lives.

With lots of special smiles,

Pragati Soni