three types.

There are three kinds of Gratitude in the world.

One. When we get what we want. We realize its worth and feel absolutely blessed with it. We often practice this one. Easiest to practice perhaps. Because, in such circumstances, happiness and joy is naturally coming to you. That sparkle in your eye, that natural laughter, that smile on anything and everything. You feel blessed. Thankful.

Two. When we don't get what we want. In such a situation; stories/fables/parents/world tells us to stay put. We discover our joy through sufferings we feel. Through the vacuum within, we push ourselves in one direction - towards hope and faith.

Three. When we get what we want, but not what we want; when we get what we maybe wanted. but not what we clearly and surely desired. In such a case, there is a friction. Everywhere. Opposing forces. Internal versus external struggle. Right versus left struggle. Heart versus brain struggle. Its a friction and battle. Battle. It is as if, Life has shut us up by giving us something; stealing our right to frown. Obligating us to smile, cherish and be thankful.

The problem with the last kind of situation is, you feel confused. In this situation, is it then fair to state that something seems unfair somewhere. You wonder. In that wonder, you smile. And in that smile against the heartache or disappointment. You smile against the funny thing called fate. You smile and in that heavy smile, your heaviness feels comforting. As if the heaviness is hugging you and consoling you. You look around and feel grateful. For you're still feeling. And that is what matters.

It is like trusting and holding your dad's hand, ignoring the pain from the last fall, while he picks you up and teaches you to walk.

Happy Independence Day to the "Land".

Once upon a time, there was a piece of land inhabited by a bunch of people. Another bunch of people wandered into their territory. There was a big fight. Everybody was split into groups. Divided over hate, beauty, ugliness, love and what not. So well, they started killing each other. 

In order to prevent mass killing, one of the smarter ones from the lot dreamed of a separate land. So well, they all sat together and decided to draw a line on the paper and split their colors and beauties and loves into two. All picked up their loves, beauties and ownership patents of different gods and went their own ways. 

Now, one of the piece of land has a bunch of people. They got their land and after a few years, proudly patented it with a stamp of god. They drew a definition of this god to help them identify any intruders or foreign enemies. After sometime, they too started fighting amongst themselves. Anybody not adhering to the god that they owned is brutally killed. Given their past history of intrusion from foreign lands. 

Today, this is piece of otherwise beautiful land - said to be the fruit bowl of Asia, rich in finest of natural beauties. Today, on this land, these people have been entitled by some god that they own to kill each other. Some strongly own this god. Some are scared not to follow. While, all the silent ones in air conditioned, classy confines of their cars have little or nothing to complain about. 

Today, on this very piece of land, there is another meeting going on. There seems to be another smart one proposing an idea of an independent state. However, this time, the smart one doesn't seem to be a human. Because humans here are silent. mute. dead perhaps. It is the very piece of pure land debating. Imagine, the evening breeze of Karachi stained with the blood of minorities talking to the injured widow beauty of Swat. Both discussing the prospects of gaining independence from the people. 

We so proudly assume that this country "needs" us. Have we ever paused to consider and ask back if this country really even wants us now? Do we even deserve this piece of land which we deliberately own? 

We have encroached this land. This is not our land. This is not our piece of land. This stopped being our land the day we started silently witnessing all the killings, all the atrocities. 

Look around, fancy shopping all night at the malls to celebrate an independence day - Independence for burger pakistanis.   

Look around, boys on bikes with guns all night to harass and "party"? - Independence for the frustrated youth. 

Look around, smart brains sitting with a cup of coffee and being quaid e azam on social media? - Independence for smartphone and Apple users.

Look around, a rigorous bunch of intellectuals defending "abhi sub kuch nahi bigra"? Independence day for the non resident pakistanis in beautiful denial. 

Look around, minorities sulking the deaths of their loved ones? Oh well, who what how where what's that. sorry. 

Look around, humans dead. dead? huh what's that. 

Today, there is a discussion. A debate. A night of resolution. Of all the parts of land that we have committed injustice on. This nature does not want us. This land does not want us. All they now want is independence from us. They perhaps will not need to struggle for it.

As a four year old victim of a recent blast had weakly smiled and said, "nobody would be here alive on this land after sometime anyway.." The only human that seems to be not living in a denial. 

Happy Independence Day to the Land. 

Dance away.

Dance away to the sheer joy of knowing what is yours and what is not. 

Dance away happily to serve what needs you.. 

But do not for once burden the unasked. 
But do not for once disturb the silent. 
Give up to yourself and dance away. 
Dance away knowing the intentions of your joy. 
To the next task. 
To the next work. 
To the next need.
To the next yearning. 
Dance away giving what ought to be given.

Dance away your pain.

Dance away to the Silence. 
Sway to the rhythms of Life

And Feel the Light of your Being. 

For in dancing away, you Trust the Giver of Trust. 
You feel the joy like never before.