DAY 1902
Jalsa, Mumbai June 30, 2013 Sun 10:57 PM
You get up in the morning after a safe and fair amount of rest and you find yourself telling yourself .. ‘No .. not getting up today, not going to do anything that is expected of me to do, not doing anything ..’ and then something pushes you out and before long the world is ready to be conquered ! It was one of those days … today !
I think its all in the mind … naah … such a cliched remark … its many things coming together. Responsibility, commitment, the need to do or else and giving in. The first three are somewhat normal, natural, but the last ..'giving in’ is perhaps the most valid and valuable.
What does it feel like to give up ..? A sense of defeat, of not being able to perform, of allowing the mind and body to dictate to you. There have been many occasions in our lives when we have felt so. There is abject decision to withdraw. It is that self feel that we have gone beyond what we could have done or achieved, or are at a stage when we realise that we are unsuited for the part. Unsuited for the part, could be a wrong decision, one that could have been thrust upon you in circumstances beyond your control. In such cases it is best to be honest with one self. Accept the wrong decision and give in.
There was a moment in my life when I had to face such a condition. Realising the need to stop, I expressed it. Some of the elders agreed with me and decided for me to leave, but my Mother was different .. she said that we should complete the job, get victorious and then if it was needed to leave, then leave … but right now, it is a non issue …Guess it was the Sikh blood in her speaking up !! I followed what she expressed, won and then gave it up !
I do not look back upon it as something that I gave in to. I look back upon it as having gone in won and then retired. I think it would sign in as sheer pluck, advocated by my Mother, similar I would imagine of that Sherwood College boxing episode which I had written about earlier in one of my Blogs.
Failure or its acceptance is nothing to be ashamed of, happens to all of us, but it is the effort made before it that gains importance. Did we put in our best, or did we succumb to effort ! The satisfaction of such is beyond all else ..
There is great appreciation and applause for the winner yes, but the recognition for the loser is somehow that has that special something ..
This does not by any stretch of imagination suggest that we need to go for that 'special something’ .. !!!
The Sunday well wishers meet was swell … with many Ef in the congested and cramped crowds, bearing the heat and the push and shove. Ah ! Not recommended but what can one do .. it has now become a permanent joyful occasion for me .. and today the 'little one’ came out too .. and the look of extreme bewilderment when she stood on the podium was priceless !! After a while after she had been taken in, they were going out again for dinner, and the first look she gave when she came out was to check if the crowds were still there .. ha ha ha ha ..
Many perhaps know of the condition of 'Bijlee’, the sick elephant that had collapsed on the street of the city, and all the trouble that NGO’s were taking to revive it and look after it, with a little help from friends .. her weight was the problem first, getting her up needed a crane and to keep her up the straps around her needed to be in place. But despite all the effort taken she passed away this morning. Really sad. They are unable to speak of their problems, and it is quite depressing to see this majestic animal in such condition ..
We now have another elephant, Lakshmi in trouble. She is ill too and we are doing the best we can through monetary help to get her well. Let us hope she survives. These are domesticated elephants, and quite shockingly are used by their masters to beg on the streets !! Really sorry state of affairs ..
Recognise some of the Ef …
At rehearsals for KBC ..
My love to all
Amitabh Bachchan
