Workout!

Satisfaction :)

Gong Hay Fat Choy! (feat. Kesh's birthday)

I am standing out watching the fireworks, the view. In the distance a thick mist envelopes the lights and the mountains. 

We've got our kuih kapit, jam tarts, mandarin oranges stock on the table. YES, like mum actually got them ordered just cos it is CNY - we are cool that way. 

It's raining out, and it somehow makes everything so much more lovely. The air smells of smoke but I'm smiling. The family is all together - coordinated holidays, mum has food all planned and we are chilling and we meet friends and we are just noisy and we discuss television (or lack of) - the brother exclaiming when he sees a P. Ramlee film about to come on, and we stay up late talking, we plan outings and we entertain each other and laugh. 

This. This is why I love being around, this is what I miss whilst being away - the joys that come with each holiday, the atmosphere, being together. At this time, it is the fireworks and the lion dances and the angpows and the oranges. 

And right now, I am just soaking it all in. 

Today was reunion dinner night. Slight deviation from our family time to meet the extended family. 

A friend's birthday surprise. And what a smashing time - so much laughter, conversation, memories! 

We sit in the hottest, coziest corner with the pizza, kuih lapis, seri muka, curry puffs, cola, meehoon, and laugh until our sides ache, before actually adjourning to the more "ventilated" area. Everyone shares a memory, everyone tells a story, and everyone makes a memory, right then. We arrive in a convoy - we enter in a rail gaddi formation - and she is properly surprised ! 

And right this instant, I get a random phone call from family in Penang - ting! A reminder of sorts to spend some quality time there as well, perhaps. 

And I am reminded that we should always, always make time. And laugh and tell stories and tell each other how much we love and appreciate and cherish. 

Have a very Happy Chinese New Year, all of you. 

Lots of love. 

Lessons

It all started off, a few years ago during our crime scene exercises.

Our team, assigned an arson case, had just a regular cardboard box 'man', with no head, whereas my dear friend's team, handling a more complex case, got a mannequin. With head, but missing an arm.

Hahahahahah!!

It was actually pretty funny, and one day we were just comparing these things, when she said,

"You can't always get everything in life, you know." - referring to the mannequins - one with no head, carboard body, and one with most regular bodily parts except an arm.

But we looked at each other, burst into laughter, and realized how profound that was. You obviously can't get everything, but you learn to make it work, I suppose.

Random life lessons while possibly having lunch or donut-cupcake-something sweet from Greggs, much.

Which brings me to the next point. You get some things, but that does not mean you are stuck with it.

You are never stuck.

YOU choose how it works. It is whether you work to get out of it, you work to make it work, you choose to pray for a solution, or choose to be miserable.

Only you can help yourself. And He only helps those who help themselves, as they say.

So let's make this our year. Let's choose to make it work, and let's choose to be unstuck.

As always, love and much inspiration.

The year that started off "interesting"

All of you would have heard by now about the incident that took place a few days ago. It was all over the social media, the community news, and from what I gather, has spread all over the world.

It is a sad, and grieving, and unfortunate thing, and it has left all of us with a less-than-pristine feeling. But today I feel I must write about it.

I am going to write about what I see as not-so-terrible from the episode.

1. The panth came together, and stood together to solve the issue. It was so heartening to see that immediate action was taken, and the sanggat was informed of it, and that in a calm and professional manner, it was analysed, a decision was made, and it was announced. 
2. This could have happened anywhere in the world. But for one of the most progressive panth to see it happening - and this is so apt - to point out "Wrong number hai yeh" and then for action to be taken, that is a step. And for people from the entire world to see that this should never, ever happen again, well it is a positive step. 
3. The entire sangat, and gurdwara committees now learn that clear, detailed guidelines need exist. There need be detailed information provided to all parties when it involves an outside of gurdwara event. 
4. Everyone involved learnt a hard, but probably necessary lesson. 

I urge us all to have but some compassion and forgiveness though. As the panj pyare pointed out, we should not shun them away. Instead, offer them your love and understanding and kindness, it is only the beginning of the year, we should have some left - everyone makes mistakes. Plus, they are ashamed enough, and they have faced the Panj Pyare. 

I urge you to forgive and forget. It is an important lesson, for all of us, but instead of spreading the negativity and unkindness - through harsh words, through mockery of those involved, spread kindness and words of the Guru, spread love. And as someone has said, let this be a lesson for all of us to reconsider our own actions. 

Yesterday my friend told me of her niece who after samelan, chose to sit next to a classmate who did well in math. When asked, she said "I am choosing the right sangat". 

Let this guide us towards a better year, and a better sangat. 

As always, love to all. 

Annual Gurmat Parchaar Samelan - some of my memories

Some of us wait the entire year for this week - it is so worth it, too. Today I would like to share with you some memories, some lessons, and some experiences from samelans past.

I have this one memory of Sentul Jatha. Can't remember the year, which samelan it was, but I remember how the darbaar looked like vividly. Picture the morning IPS, which has just started. They start the shabad : 

Madho Hum Aise Too Aisa , 

O Lord, this is what we are, and this is what You are. 

And poof! The electricity is out - something must have shorted. The jatha is left with no mikes, and the sangat remains. What happens next, has become one of my favourite memories. The jatha continues singing this line, Madho Hum Aise Too Aisa, and the sangat - imagine main darbar, with all those participants and sewadars, sing along. I don't know how long this went on, I don't remember what else they sang, I don't remember what they spoke about. But I remember this, this harmonious singing, this chanting of the shabad in tune, happening. The technical veerjis are frantically moving around trying to fix the problem, but the rest of us, we are singing. I smile now. Goosebumps. That is the vibration you get in samelan, in the sangat. Eventually, the problem was solved, I think - but from that day onwards, Sentul Jatha held a special place in my heart. 

As I was speaking to a dear penji in samelan last year, she said these words to me, "26 years and counting, it's an addiction". That is my age, people, that is how many years she has been attending this, this, "camp" doesn't seem to describe it. 

I think last year, we got me a t shirt made : Top 10 Reasons I love Samelan. There are many - and my top 10 may differ from yours, but all will agree that it is something like no other. 

I remember a couple that had attended, some years back - from the UK, they were. They said they could not stop crying - for everything was so beautiful. It is not always, you get to see 1000 people gathered and everything falling into place, where there is so much singing and laughter and sewa and learning and fun and adventure and.. this will go on. 

I attended a kirtan program a few days ago. My friend, M (not the M that got married) was there, and as we sat (right in front, thankyouverymuch) together (plus her sister and mine - I must add, people sometimes confuse her sister as mine and my sister as hers) and sang loudly, I was taken back to the good old days. The days when we were participants, and we used to sit together and sing loudly, and enjoy the IPS. She is the girl with whom I (and two other friends of ours) had a slumber party with at samelan - of course, other people joined, and coincidentally that was the samelan at Bentong, 5 years ago. *Much feels* We very nicely asked the security penjis and auntyjis, and they said yes - and we shared our loot; chips and nuts and other junk - we talked, and at some point, we (well, M mostly) had to shoo away a cat. That doesn't leave you, that memory. I remember what I was wearing, I remember how we were spread on the mattress, and I remember it being so much fun - although I was falling asleep at the end of it. And two out of the three people that were there came to London with me two years ago - and we relived it, and we relived it good. It is not for fun that people say if you are a samelan kid, you can sleep and bathe almost everywhere. And I am so glad that along the way I found these mad, mad girls, and many other people. 

I remember someone saying "Samelan starts when you go home" and the speakers challenging us during the LM to learn more and prove it the next year. 

I remember vividly, getting up and heading to the darbar to hear the deep voice of Uncle Sukhindarpal leading the nitnem and the feeling when nitnem is ongoing, and I remember a penji saying - look at the meaning during Jaap Sahib. 

While I was at samelan this year, I returned to the dorms to find a jatha doing their utility sewa - and I said "Washing toilets is aaaaaa...... ?" to be faced with non-comprende looks - they were too young to know it, methinks. 

The story here is Veerji Khushwant and Utility Sewa (cerita bukan dongeng). Back in the day, jatha competition used to be taken VERY, VERY seriously. And the most important part? Utility sewa. It was the biggest competition to see which jatha would win the coveted perfect 10 from veerji. And it was hard, man. He would grade based on .. well I am guessing enthusiasm, dedication, and probably how clean stuff actually was afterwards (LOL). But that was the time people would be singing at the top of their voices, and actually be enjoying just being together, getting wet, and without realising it doing their sewa. I have heard such amazing stories of people going down on all fours to clean, of extracting lodged items, and such. And yes, I clearly remember doing one night utility rotation (The BEST, night one), the utility team standing together, and us participants raring to go.
Veerji bellows, "Washing toilets is A" to which we reply "DREAM JOB!" And then he gestures to his sidekick, who hands him "our best friend" - the toilet cleaner liquid bottle (I forget the brand). And armed with brushes, detergent, toilet cleaner, and what have you - we march off. People who like me are not so young, are you grinning yet?

But I did hear last year that someone my age tried it with their jatha - keeping it going, yo.

And I remember that every samelan, the first and last day feeling remains the same. The first, an extreme, inexplicable happiness as the dewan becomes a darbaar, when the 5 Pyare lead Guru Granth Sahib in, and suddenly the entire mood, feel, atmosphere changes. And the last, a sombre, inexplicable sadness and melancholy as they now lead the way out, and with the Guru leaving, the dewan returns. I don't think that feeling is ever different.

And I don't think there can be a different feeling to the immense excitement every year, to meet old friends, and to make new ones.

I remember one year when I was elected by the jatha to present at the LM everyday. (I loved it, me nerd me)

I remember one year ending up in the same jatha as R and J - and we had SUCH a good time. We slept on two top bunks and every night some shenanigan or other was happening - and that was the year R and I became sisters. I remember J and I pulling her up by her cute, cute pajamas - and rolling on the bed laughing uncontrollably after.

There is one memory I have of samelans past when my mother's friends recognised me as I was growing - apparently due to the photocopy/xerox/ditto looks I have inherited from her. It is funny, this memory - because most of the time they have a look of much amusement and awe at the similarity.

And then there is the memory of that afternoon session when uncle Senjay made everyone feel something. Some of us remember it very well.

There is one IPS that comes to mind, in recent years, when Giani Mahinder Singh Khalsa (Khalsaji) attended - I remember him speaking in Malay, and telling a good story, and I remember the IPS being something lots of people were looking forward to. A few years later, he passed on. I don't think he had come for another samelan after that.

I have much more to write, but I will have to continue some other time. I had to write this today, the year has only yet begun and I want you to share these memories I have, and perhaps tell me of some of the memories you have.

As always, love and inspiration to you. 

Super Sewak

Dear all,
Have you heard of Super Sewaks?

They came into conception last year at the 50th Annual Gurmat Parchaar Samelan - and since then have made appearances at other mini samelans and Gurpurab events.

Plus, they have a Youtube channel!
(https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCyrmnDE6HywEJOi22GUOUAg)

What Super Sewaks believe is that every ordinary person can do extraordinary things - and thus be a superhero - just like our Sikh brothers and sisters, but also like any other human!

Here I present to you one of the first videos - the intro and one of the topics for the samelan last year - happy watching and please like, subscribe and share!

Also, if you would like to join the team, please contact me :)

Enjoy!

Sewa

PK

I just watched PK yesterday. Thank you, Shal for telling me to. 

It is a brilliant film, that is for sure. Nothing mind bogglingly new, not something ground breakingly fresh - just some old issues, just lots of topics people have been debating and trying to put forth for a long, long time now. 

But the freshness lay in how it was presented. I really loved how simple the premise was. Nothing lofty, just so simply laid out and the climax too, it only required something SO simple and straightforward! 

And I really loved how funny it was. 

I am not going to put in any spoilers, don't worry, but this film has come into my life at a time when I know it is time to take a stand, loud and clear. And not just in the aspect of what the movie is potraying but generally in life as well. 

Beautiful message, as expected from AK and RJH - and I must say - it has churned my brain wheels in more ways than one. 

I loved the wrong number part - "Wrong number hai yeh!" and I see myself referencing it a lot! 

So if you haven't already, go and watch it - and if you have, tell me what you loved about it in the comments. 

Stay golden, and stay inspired. 

Guru jee, kirpa karo! (2010)

This is an old post, from 2010. I am reposting it today.

It all started, or rather resurfaced with veer Gurmukh's post on gender equality, all lip service and deedless talks. so people started talking about the issue, why women aren't taken as panj pyare in the Amrit Sanchar. now, Amrit Sanchar is a spiritual experience, where in general terms we might say it is like an initiation ceremony, or baptism, to prove your commitment and love. or for some, its just simply, following the Guru's path. and He Himself, 10th paathshah, Guru Gobind Singh Ji, had said that there should not be any discrimination, that a woman can go to gurdwara like any man, and she too, can take Amrit. then why this argument on women not being allowd to give Amrit?

the arguments I have heard so far is :MARYADA.

according to the people, the same people who are my brothers and sisters in religion, back in 1699, on that Fateful, Historical, Magical Vasakhi Day, when Dasam Paathsah Guru Gobind Singh had asked for 5 heads, when he wanted 5 people who could prove their devoted love to him, the Panj Pyare (5 Beloved) that emerged from the 5 men, from all caste and creed, were MEN.

and imagine me, a 20 plus year old girl, hearing this news. they were MEN, therefore WOMEN cannot give Amrit today.

then what about their caste, their occupations??shouldnt we then get 5 pyare who are respectively from so and so occupation and so and so caste?? since Guru jee had said to eliminate all that, we dont even consider that right? then did he say, ok my beloved Sikhs, my beloved Children, my beloved, i will be biased and only allow the men to give the amrit?

yes,I admit I am kachi, not even a little wise in knowledge of Gurbani compared to all these people. But please, I ask of you all, did GURU GOBIND SINGH JI ever say, write or give HUKAM that a woman cannot administer the holy, magical, awesome amrit?? please, show us women some proof, but how? how can the same jot, the continuation of the same GURU NANAK, who had earlier said,

So Kio manda akhiyeh, jit jamay rajaan

why call er dirty, she who gives birth to Kings;

say otherwise?

how can Guru Gobind Singh contradict what Guru Nanak had said??

another point would be, I feel, something someone else had pointed out too. looking at the social and demography point of view back in 1699, how many women do you think were there, in Anandpur Sahib? or how many would have been brave enough, seeing as to back in the days, women did not have as much freedom or the privileges we have today? if he were to ask us today, would there still be no women? the probability changes with sample size and population, or so we have learnt in statistics.

they forget, who was the person who put the patasay into the amrit?so that we may be as sweet as we are strong,as saintly as we are soldiers? why did Guru jee not stop the WOMAN who is our Dharam Mother, telling her she is a woman?

this is how i feel, being a daughter of this panth.

i remember the day, in Harmandir Sahib, heaven on Earth, whn Mom, tears in her eyes, remorse in words, said to my brother, your sisters and I will not get an opportunity like you to do seva in the Darbar (as ladies are not allowed). Kirtan too there, ladies not allowed.

please, Guru jee, please. give me the strength, give me the peace.

A testimony on courage

Today, I would like to share with you all a video.

This is Sukhjit Kaur. We first showed this video at the mini samelan in June, and since then requests have always come in for the link - and rightly so.

So, I am not going to say too much, watch for yourself - and I hope this inspires anyone who may be in this situation or something similar, or just inspires you nonetheless.

As always, stay golden.

Weddings, 2014

As we sat on that sofa, she held my hand, and squeezed it. I grinned, and looked over to see her holding his hand as well. Photos were being taken. 

Raunaka Vyah Diyan! 

My year started with a wedding. Weddings - that cliched event some hate, and some reaaaally love. But love or hate, there is no escape (from about 12857593 a year). It stares you in the face, tickles you in the ribs, beckons knowingly, waves come hither welcomingly. 

But the best kind of weddings, are those in which you - as an individual, as someone related to those getting married - feel connected to. Those weddings, from which you come home exhausted, from dancing, from smiling, from laughing, singing and meeting people, from having so much joy in your heart that you don't know what else to do, from watching people you love take those vows to be with each other, and I think it's time I use a period or two. 

And this year alone, I've had three or four (or seven) of such weddings. (Much deserved post this is)

There was G, an older sister figure, a motivator, a listening ear, a laugh inducer, amazingly talented actress (she'll deny it - but she's a great impromptu) and with all of that, the best, tight, big hugs giver. At her wedding, we put up an actual, choreographed dance with practice of a few days, and we had a grand, grand time.
At her wedding I learnt that the bride or groom - on some of the most special days of their lives, can make others feel special. It is because of how she looked out for us on her special day that I smile whilst writing this. And obviously because we had such, such fun :P
At her wedding I saw how some things should be left to simplicity, and how some effort in other areas will leave a lasting impression.
At her wedding I saw from where I sat, her a vision in red, looking as lovely as can be, (although she was worried about the makeup) and I saw how heads turned and tears formed.
At her wedding I beamed as they walked the Laavan, looking around to see that all of our hearts were so full, of joy and pride.
At her wedding on new year's day we were at her house, laughing and looking at her - I remember saying - being so in her element. (She had the power of vatna)
And just yesterday, I am reminded that in one week, it will be a year since she got married.

Then there's J, oh my J. 

A July wedding. Heart shaped saree blouses. A petite (read,tiny) girl whom I've known forever, grown up with, made up nonsense phrases with, had first-child-in-depth conversations with. 

Eve of the wedding. We stand in panic while realizing that the florist has shut for the night. WE are in charge of flower girl and bridesmaid arrangements. Disaster averted, flowers acquired, we adjourn for the ultimate slumber party - minus the bride, of course. At the rehearsal we sit in the cathedral, and watch in disbelief as she is up front and center. I sit between the two other culprits in our gang and warn them to not start crying (yet). We joke about bringing extra tissues the next day to pass around.
The day of the wedding arrives and, the flowers turn out gorgeous (all you,S), our sarees turn out ok (despite being draped not to perfection) and manage to avert any bride meltdowns. All it takes is for us to look at her, and she knows, she knows we are there.
Being a bridesmaid (officially) - was an experience like no other. She put is in the middle of everything, and we felt - officially - as if we were family. To E (the husband), thank you for the spa treatments!
Fast forward to the reception, and dancing the night away, crazy dancing. Go back to the food tasting, and tasting some delicious, delicious paneer. Go forward to the day of the wedding and step into the house, and see my best friend, in her wedding saree. She gets her veil put on, and we pose for photographs. Go back to months before when we get the call and she shows us the ring. Go forward to receiving the bridesmaid sarees. Go to flowers selection trips, and having adventures with seemingly inane tasks! Go forward to the bridesmaids meeting up to shop and go to the tailor, planning the bachelorette, and having - a slumber party and another adventure.
Allow me to be mushy, now - and say that guys, love ya.

Edit: They are now having a baby. Yes, we are officially aunts in a few months, and that is going to take me a whole (long) blog to express.

And now, for the most recent special wedding. This girl, who has become an important, important person in my life. Sleep over, she says. I obediently do as she says, and have a ball. M, and the pink suits. I looked through the photos we had taken two years ago the other day, and a smile comes on thinking of the madness that had ensued. 4 girls in London, 4 girls from samelan, 4 girls in a bond like no other. The hen party, a welcome break from the wedding-y details and work for her, and a smashing time for us.
She calls me, a week or so before the wedding, to vent. She shows me the results of her make up trials. She tells me of the many, many suits getting stitched, the many trials that come with it, and more importantly, she tells me of what she feels.
We sleep over, and help pack the suits and other things up - wrapping paper and plastic envelopes, and clothing items and boxes all strewn across the floor. It feels like a wedding is coming - and we soak it all up. Three days before the wedding, we arrive - people are fixing tent details, vacuuming carpets, serving up food, and such. We get roped into packing up ladoos, then getting other details sorted. Sleep evades me, for some reason. I hear G coughing, M tossing and then finally settling, and before we knew it, the morning of the first ceremony arrived.
Whilst the aunties (and penjis! They are married and everything!) were busy vatna-fying her, we sneaked away to get some technical stuff done. She had requested for background music for the house, and I had forgotten an important track. We get back in time for the scrubbing session - all faltu girls to use up leftover vatna. I get a big hug, and my clothes and hair get a big dose of vatna.
The next bit is pretty hilarious, it is the mithey chaul thing - and she hates mithey chaul. Hahah!! The things you do :P
And then, her mehndi is being applied, lovingly. Someone or other is always there, sitting by her, chatting, whilst the others lounge, break into random song and dance, head out to run errands, and more family arrives. I am so incredibly sleepy by then but nothing that won't be cured with some excitement.
We get our mehndi on, and as the gang arrives start making plans for the night. Her room is a jumble of people, girls and bags and make up and hair straighteners and laptops and make up artists. Eventually everyone is ready - we acquire batik shirt and sarong for the jago event, and we are ready to rock and roll. I have to admit, (don't laugh at me, okay) as we were sitting in the living room and the ladies-songs-with-dholki was happening, I looked over and said ; this is actually pretty fun. Also, having the event at home is a whole different experience. There aren't 20 million people around, and as everyone pretty much knows each other the whole atmosphere is warm, fun and ...close and inviting.
Needless to say, proper dancing happened - we have all the sweaty photos to speak for us, too. That night, we help her with her mehndi, and hair wash, and stay up talking. I don't think we were thinking it that time, but it was the last night we would be sleeping together before she got married.

Friday we are instructed to stay while she goes to get her nails done, and are told to sleep in. We spend the morning chilling with her aunts, and getting small projects done, ready for Saturday. Some errands run, some rest, some anticipation,  and suddenly it is Saturday.

Suddenly, she is walking in - Harinder is singing Adays Tisai Adays, the moment is so, so beautiful, and suddenly, the Laavan is over. Suddenly, she is at the house, giving me a smile and we are catching a moment - realising we haven't spoken all day. And suddenly, she is giving us all hugs - before getting into the car.
We get back into the house, a strange feeling - but we proceed to get cold drinks out and sit and have a picnic of sorts.

In all the weddings I have shared with you, there was something so, very special. I don't think I've captured it too well, seeing as I've written longer with the more recent ones, but in every wedding, the bride has a special, special place in my life. In each wedding, there are so many details that I am sure I have missed, but know that, all are in my memories.

And yes, though I may have only written about these, there have been several other weddings this year that were special, each unique and lovely in its own way, each with people dear and special to me.

Love you, guys.

Guru Pita.

A collection of very short stories

Today I would like to share with you a collection of inspirational things heard at the Samelan. 

When they (Panj Pyare and new amritdharis) were walking in, I felt I could see Guru Gobind Singh. 

I was crying but I don't know why. 

I could feel something - maybe it was Guru Gobind Singh there. 

If you were listening, why weren't you in tears? Where else does that happen? How does that even happen? They were both taking a hukamnama to decide, and they got the SAME hukamnama! They didn't even know until later! 

How many of us are going to get on that plane - are we going to miss it again?

You have to listen, just listen!! 

I was looking at the screen. Usually the meanings are long, difficult words. This time it was SO simple! Just SO simple!! JUST 4 WORDS! 

NOTHING ELSE WILL WORK.

 (AVAR KAAJ TERE KITE NA KAAM)

In an hour, that plane is going to take off. If any one of you have been thinking about it, now is the time. 

If you don't give yourself a chance, how will you ever know?

As I was walking towards the darbar, these are the words I hear : And tonight, they will tie that knot! We will welcome those brides as they walk in. And now we will sing ... 

Habhay Saak Koorhavay Dithay Tao Palai Taidai Laagee

I took my amrit 5 years ago, here in Bentong. At that time, I didn't feel as much as I did today. You all made me feel today. 

Last year, as they were walking in, I knew. I knew that I need to be in that line, I need this. 

I asked Guruji, to open my heart. I asked for him to let me feel his presence at least once, to give me a sign. Can I practice wearing my kakkars?

When I go home from samelan, I want to learn path. I can do Japjee and Rehras, and I want to learn the other paths also. 

How did I know? There comes a time when you will cry. You will cry and you won't know why. It happened when I was 13. The jatha was singing and I was crying, crying so much. 

When he said, what if you die in the next 2 days?

He was so Chardikala, that he did not cry, penji. He just let go a Jaikara, because he knew she was suffering. When she passed away, she had a smile on her face. 

I was in a bad place. But every night, I would play Jaap Sahib and fall asleep listening to it. I am a changed person, now. 

I was there. I was there, in Anandpur. 

What are we doing as Guru Gobind Singh's children? 

She said, you will both sing at the satsang next week. We did, but she had passed away by then. 

Penji, as the Sahibzade were standing in court, they answered, Inna Vada Wazir, te Inne Neech Kamm! 

We are the saint soldiers, Sant- Sipahi. Now, we need to listen to the orders for the day. Let's listen to the Hukamnama.

We turn off the screen so everyone can focus on the path from their respective gutkas. 

Just the talks, those talks, that was IPS - that was inspiring me, that was my sanggat happening. 

Penji, Belum Cuba Belum Tahu! 

And at that moment when they were singing I had tears in my eyes.

I feel like my heart is so full, just so full that it might burst and I don't even know how I feel, but there is so much emotion. 

What's the meaning? 'When I could not be with You for just one moment, the Dark Age of Kali Yuga dawned on me.' 

It was so inspirational, and I felt so happy.

We are all here to do sewa. 

You have a choice. You always, always have a choice. What will you choose? How are you going to make that choice in everything you do?

Someone tied a turban for him. He came and told me, I want to have a turban too. I want this too. He told my mother that he wants to take amrit. She was crying. 

That's all for now. Keep you posted. 

Journey to Anandpur

Samelan has just ended. 

OK, its been two days, but we need some time to recuperate! (Although, to be honest we all still have puffy eyes). 

I have SO much to write about, to share with you all these memories. 

But, before all else I have to tell you of the little musical we put up. I call it the Journey to Anandpur, although we had no title, no name for the main character and practically no actual rehearsal with all the components tied in.

1) The sound of music 

WE are all equally proud to say that the music was beautiful. This is thanks to Veer Pirthypal (Paley) who brainstormed with us, and the music team - consisting of le sistere : Pervin, Harinder and Satpreet. 

Together, amongst themselves they created a medley of soulful, uplifting and amaaazing tracks - both Gurbani and folk. 

There was Sach Kaho Sun Lehu Sabey, Meri Abey Benti Sun Lije, Siaam Sundar Taj Neend Kio Aayee, and a very, very inspirational rendition of Deh Shiva - among others.

2) Lights, camera, action

Without the lights, we could not have put forth what we had visualised. We (all) would like to thank Inderjit Veerji and team for setting the mood. People totally underestimate the power of lighting, and we are so, very thankful and appreciative of the efforts. 

The Stage (there were more lights added later on)

Also, special thanks to Keval for actually manning the lights!! 

3) Dream team

I cannot begin to express how inspired I am to have this fantastic group of people around. I will just use this point to say thank you, 

Gurleen

Pinday 

Harjeet (special thanks!)

Privish

Raj Calvin

Saheb

Keshmeer

Gurpreet Kaur

Jai

Rishi

Amrit 

Sukhdeep

and Kiranpreet!! 

4) I don't want to use headings anymore

Gurmesh, thanks for getting the montage prepared, and Kiranpreet/G Kaur/ Gurleen - thanks for putting it together. 

ALL of you have helped put this together - and it is no wonder that the audience only had kind and thoughtful things to say. Children and adults both, tears and laughter and hearts swollen, both. 

Media crew, thank you for recording it - please let us have a copy so we (and more importantly, our mothers!) can watch it. 

Penjis, thank you for trusting us to show you what our vision was. 

OK .. long sappy message session over. 

5) Synopsis

The musical documents the journey of an ordinary person to Anandpur, heeding the call of the Guru. The people she meets on the way, their lives, and how these events shape her journey all lead to the climax scene at Anandpur - that Mighties Corner was electrified at this point. I don't think I could tell you too much about it, it might dilute it. 

Finally I would like to thank the producer, Gurpreet for - well getting this done. 

Suddenly, now - it all seems so, so worth it. Keep you updated on the video and I foresee some editing to this. 

Stay golden, you all. 

Start today. You're worth it.

You don't know when a miracle, or even whatever's supposed to happen, is going to happen. 

Coming up

Hello fellow humans. 

There is a post on its way. Meanwhile, here is some gruel to fuel you onward. 

1) Samelan is in two weeks. Be forewarned -  all systems go, and its probably going to be a crazy 2 weeks. Joy.

2) New Super Sewaks video (or five) coming up. 

3) Enjoy the new layout, and my artwork.