Holiday Season The decorations are
Holiday Season
The decorations are out and many homes in the neighborhood are decked out in lights- colored ones, golden ones, hanging from eves, roofs, trees and shrubs, twined over wiremeshes in the form of reindeer and Santas and snowmen... All of them turn on magically when the timer comes on. Some keep their homes shrouded in darkness to make it practically "dissapear" in the early dark of the winter night. Heavy curtains shroud the lights that could possibly emanate from within.
When I suggested to some friends about going carol singing in our neighborhood, they were estatic. None of them remembered carolers for decades now. The only concern was if a neighbor might take offense and call the cops. I said, being Indian and Hindu, I shall shoulder that responsibility. The entire plan was hatched when my dear old neighbor was upset that all stores and businesses had adopted a "Happy Holidays" policy versus a "Merry Christmas" policy. While it was the politically correct thing to do in a multicultural society, it also meant denial of the sentiments of the majority who adopt a christian sentiment here in the US.
The eve arrived and one by one the caroling families arrived with their tots. None of these kids had experienced anything like this. They wanted us to sing Jingle bells over and over again! Then they liked the Its the season to be jolly for the "falalalala" part! The older neighbors were treated to good old carols like O Come all ye faithful and Silent Night. Some were moved to tears and couldnt stop hugging. We discovered that many connections could be made within an hour.
Sri Sri speaks about making the ancient mages' vision of "Vasudaiva Kutumbakam"- One World Family a reality. And all it took in this instance was getting 10 people together and singing in our neighborhood for an hour.
In Tamil Nadu, during the month of Margazhi or Margashirsha (Dhanur maas), as children we used to see Bhajan singers walk down our streets early in the morning and we would get up early to welcome them with some prasad. As girls in the 'hood we would have Kolam "competitions" waking up earlier than the other to "usurp" more street-front space to draw a bigger design! When we took a train trip along the country side of Andhra or Tamil Nadu, as the day broke, we would see women sweeping the front yards and drawing a small but beautiful pattern. These days, very few people wake up early enough let alone draw a kolam!
All it takes to shake that lethargy is for 3 families to get together and make a difference. Let us celebrate the spirit in us that is not determined by our bank balances but the upliftment of our minds- be it through a beautifully drawn design in a foggy morn or through a sweet song in a foggy eve.
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