The Curve Ball Or The Googly.
By Rummuser. Filed in People, Philosophy, Relationships, Writing |Tags: Changing lifestyles, Healthy living, Lottery, Responsibilities
The title of this post should not cause too much problems for most of my regular readers as for as the first part, the curve ball in base ball goes. The second part, googly may be difficult for the same people as, it is a cricketing term. In either case, it is a ball delivered by the pitcher or the bowler which deceives the batsman.
I received the following mail from a dear friend, who saw my photograph, posted on Ranjan’s birthday with a cigarette in my hand. The same photograph that prompted Bikehikebabe also to comment on it. I give below a slightly edited version of the mail from my friend and my response to it too.
“Hi Ramana,
• You lead a healthy life.
• You gave up smoking, I think!
• You gave up the drink.
• You eat well.
But………..what will you do with the extra years?”
AND THIS CARTOON WAS ATTACHED TO THE MAIL!
My response was as follows:
“You have no idea how often I think the same thing dear friend! To go back to the days of wine and whisky; gourmet food and the poker table; races on meet days, and the company of good friends and laughter. “I used to live for the nights that I would never remember, with the friends that I would never forget!”
I missed ten years of what could have been the glory days of my life because of unexpected developments. Now, when I can get back to that, I have got new responsibilities.
There is a blog post there I think!
No, dear friend, I do not want to live the additional twenty years. The sooner I go, the happier I shall be. I only wish that I could go quickly and without too much fuss and trouble to myself and others and more importantly without much sadness behind me.”
What has this exchange of mails got to do with the curve ball and the googly?
Life keeps throwing curve balls and googlies at us when we are at bat. The trick is in anticipating the possibility of such balls being sent your way, developing the skills to bat them away and to get on with the next ball.
My response to my friend’s mail was spontaneous. I did not pause to think before I wrote that. I read the mail, clicked the reply button, and just shot off the mail.
After a few minutes, I realized that perhaps I should have given some thought to the mail before I replied the way I did. I wondered if I really would go back to the life as I had written, which believe me, was very much me. On reflection, I think that I it will be now next to impossible for me to revert to that life style, even if I did not have the current responsibilities.
I have changed too much. I would not dare to say, for the better, but to a different man altogether. There simply is no urge to do things. The urge is more to live a life of study and reflection, and with the new found love for blogging, the blog world.
My friend eagerly awaits this post and I shall simply close by affirming that, even if, by some miracle all my responsibilities were to vanish and my financial situation improve substantially, I would not give up my current life style. There may be some minor tweaking as it were, but no major changes. I think that I have become too lazy! I am prepared to face the doctor in the cartoon!
Would you change if you suddenly won a lottery or something like that?
Sunday, July 5th 2009 at 21:22 |
Yes…, and no. I do a lot of the same things I do now, only more of them and more often. We would probably relocate and spend a
littlelot more time traveling — probably 3 to 5 months a year instead of 1 to 3.I like doing AND reflecting.
Mike Goad´s last blog ..Three Images for Independence Day
Rummuser Reply:
July 6th, 2009 at 10:46
Mike, I stopped doing (!) some time ago!!
Sunday, July 5th 2009 at 21:55 |
I have the resources to change my lifestyle. And absolutely NOT would I change it. People as old as I don’t change lifestyles, but even when I was young I wouldn’t have either.
Rummuser Reply:
July 6th, 2009 at 10:46
Good for you.
Sunday, July 5th 2009 at 22:41 |
ROFLOL!
Your arms and legs in that picture look like mine! Jack used to say that I had muscles like sparrow’s kneecaps
Since I could never win an argument there is no hope of me winning the lottery. Anyway money doesn’t impress me it only brings more worry and stress. So long as I wake up every day I am happy, A little less pain perhaps…. but then the pain reminds me that I am here for another day!
Grannymar´s last blog ..I Wish
Rummuser Reply:
July 6th, 2009 at 10:45
All the dissipation has to show somewhere, some time!
Monday, July 6th 2009 at 01:33 |
No. We live in a small apartment and don’t travel much. It’s not that we’re constrained by lack of finances, it’s that we love what we’re doing. I wouldn’t call it laziness because I’m spending hours most days trying to learn to draw. There’s no pressure, just becoming immersed and forgetting about time. It turns out learning to draw means learning to see, to notice, and trying things on paper or the computer to see if the effect gets me closer to what I’m trying to do. What I love most is I’m not tied down to a schedule. I didn’t get to bed until 3:30 this morning, and it didn’t matter. I can’t think of anything more luxurious.
Rummuser Reply:
July 6th, 2009 at 10:32
I would have thought as much too. often, I too sleep late but by force of habit, I get up at the usual time and suffer a bit the next day. But the staying up with a book mostly, is indeed worth the bother.
Monday, July 6th 2009 at 17:48 |
I truly believe that you should BE YOURSELF. I, too, love to read and think (as well as write). I have had to face the self-righteous demons, who say, “You should be out in the world, doing good.” But, really, who’s to say? Since I believe that we live many, many lives, I also feel comfortable that in any given life I am called to learn something. Perhaps I’ve spent several lives giving to society in that way; perhaps it is THIS life when I am meant to delve deeply into my soul. I believe in being happy, and my happiness will be an infectious in the world.
Jean, I didn’t know you were learning to draw. That’s great. You might want to visit my
brother’s blog (www.georgecarrstudio.blogspot.com). He was, professionally, a sculptor all his life, but three years ago started to paint, which has required a steep learning curve. I’ve been impressed by his devotion and willingness to “start over.”
Jody´s last blog ..The Talent Code by Daniel Coyle
Rummuser Reply:
July 6th, 2009 at 18:18
Jody, that is a fantastic attitude which I appreciate because I too believe in the theory of many lives. I am a formal student of Vedanta and attend classes conducted by a learned scholar monk. I however do not give great publicity to this as this blog will then take off into a different direction altogether. I do however have plans for a separate blog sometime next year on matters spiritual.
In general however, I am in agreement with your approach to this life.
Incidentally, I have ordered for the book “The Talent Code” following your post on it.
Tuesday, July 7th 2009 at 00:51 |
But…. I used to live for the nights that I still remember, as well as keeps throwing curve balls and googlies, still in struggle. Certainly I cannot prevents my life journey for changing one day.
I read, and quoted your comment in my blog:
“I have had many nights like that my friend. Who knows? May be, one day, we shall do it together!!”
Now I really want to say:
“Friend, I cannot patiently waiting for the day we can do it together. Now let Cheers!” (my desire already flying to you)”
Who knows? May be, one day, I’m flying to India.
Tikno´s last blog ..The Three Malady Of A Man
Rummuser Reply:
July 7th, 2009 at 19:58
I look forward to that day Tikno. I shall receive you with a band, an elephant to take you to my home, and so many garlands that they will completely hide you.
Tikno Reply:
July 7th, 2009 at 22:03
I feel honored, but please… hug me, only that.
Tikno´s last blog ..The Three Malady Of A Man
Rummuser Reply:
July 8th, 2009 at 20:58
Okay, if you insist.
Thursday, July 9th 2009 at 00:10 |
I, fortunately or unfortunately, don’t believe in earning money the easy way such as through a lottery. Somehow money earned through hard work, although small, seems earned if you know what I mean. All throughout my childhood, I craved for financial independence so that I could buy computer games, my own t.v., sunglasses, etc. Somehow by 17 when I started earning, none of that mattered. I had pretty much lost interest in those things that I always loved like watches.
My job taught me to grow beyond that, to find happiness in the look of relief or in taking someone else’s trouble as my own and finding a solution and things of the like. I am quite a healthy lifestyle person myself. I drink in very moderate quantities, eat healthy and excercise quite regularly. But it is not to prolong my lifespan, it is simply to ensure living does not become a burden for either myself or for people who are around me. After all a healthy body, means a healthy mind and that way I can be of more help to myself and others.
But this reminds me of Sam Manekshaw’s statement about his dad’s advise when he was shot multiple times by the Japs in WWII. His father apparently told him that he would die if he either drank or smoked. Manekshaw told Karan Thapar in an interview that he listened to his dad and almost died.
Ashok´s last blog ..Answer to an age old question