After all these years of working and meeting people and
problems, one leans to cope with issues and unexpected hurdles quite
differently. I now tend to maintain (at
least attempt to maintain most of the time) a sense of equanimity while meeting
potential issues.
There was a guy who had a stall at the local Shakari
Bhandar. He was sweet guy who loved puzzles. He would try and teach how to
solve puzzles. He had mastered the Rubik’s cube. As a kid I loved the puzzles
as well. I would try to solve puzzles and it would be hours of fun in the
vacation. He befriended me and he would give me tons of puzzles to play with. He
also sold books and games and toys. So when Jispa was born we bought quite a
bit of stuff from him. Once he needed to relocate to a new shop and needed
money he asked Jasmine for 5 grand as a loan. I told Jasmine to happily lend
him the money. This man gave me countless hours of fun. Also a lot of his
puzzles were with me unreturned. In effect I had ‘stolen’ them. So don’t bother.
He then ran a shop elsewhere. Jasmine and her friend were regular customers. Then
one day he got a chance and immigrated to the United States. He left the shop
to his man Friday to run. After making some money he instructed his man to pay
back the money. The man contacted Jasmine but wouldn’t show up. One day he
disappeared. We lost touch with the puzzle man and all.
On Sunday out of the blue he contacted Jasmine. He wanted to
meet Jasmine and her friend. Both of them were a little circumspect. More money
perhaps? What we do, how do we tell no… I drove them there. A little thought
ran into my head – why think the worst. Its ok. lets meet. Possibly he is just
meeting because he has come back. I still
love the guy and I think he is a great guy. I told them don’t worry. If an awkward
thing crops up – you can always revert later. You need not answer then and
there. Jasmine came back after the meeting. ”You know why he wanted to meet us?
He brought gifts and puzzles for us and he immediately wanted to return the 5
grand”. Well well well what do you know.
That’s what I told Jasmine. It was in my mind but I didn’t tell
you guys. Sometimes you go out and meet with a blank face and mind. You take it
as it comes. Earlier on I would worry – what’s the issue – why does he want to
meet – why is he calling – what would I say – how should I talk. Etc etc. now I
meet in a far more stable state. You don’t know anything. You should keep two
three back up plans that this is my worst case and then meet without a real
plan. Everyone deserves a meeting, a chance.
I have met so many people and been through so many
situations. Jasmine told me that she too will learn. I said nopes. I learnt a
lot of this from you. Jasmine would normally meet without thinking too much
about the consequences. She was the one who taught me equanimity. No Jasmine – I
learnt this form you. Mil lo. Don’t think too much. Ah things happen.
So that was an interesting lesson. You meet anything that
comes your way and you have a backup plan. That’s about it I guess. You can’t
predict the world but you surely can manage your space in it without too much
thinking. Clarity of thought also means thinking less. Aila – that was high
philosophy. I surprise myself at times.
