My idea of living a good life

There were series of incidents today that were interesting
1. I saw an article in TOI that Man is losing touch with Nature.
2. Today, papa was telling me about his experience in our home town (hills), and how non-natives from plains have started relocating to the hills and doing business there.

This made me think about what my values, goals are, and how would I like to live my life if given a chance. I closed my eyes and tried to remember when was the last time I experienced everlasting peace, enjoyed the beauty of nature, and felt really alive as if I was in heaven. All my memories and thoughts returned to a period in my life when I was just a kid and went to my hometown village - Shilpori, located in the jungles of Corbett. Unlike a traditional village, the neighbours in the village are at least 0.5 to 1 kms apart, so it is a kind of farm house in the hills. The climate is pleasant in the summers, and it snows in the winters. The area is lush green, full of nature's gifts- 24X7 water from natural springs, clean and pollution free air, and peaceful atmosphere with chirping of birds, langurs and the music of leaves and branches of trees under the effect of strong wind. Never before and anywhere else I have seen a clear and bright sky in the night, full of stars and constellations. You have to travel 2-3 kms from the nearest road to reach the two huts and our farms. The area is self-sustaining, as you eat what you grow - right from (Organic without pesticides or artificial fertilisers) vegetables, fruits, milk, ghee, pulses and cereals. You feel energetic throughout the day, and have a sound sleep in the night.

There is a natural bonding with the nature- from cattle, to pets - dogs, cats. I remember playing with bhotia dogs (black with long hair) while enjoying the sunshine. In the morning , I along with my cousins went to the jungle for feeding our buffaloes. In the evening, I went on trekking with Papa to the top of the hills, plucking wild variety of some vegetables to be cooked for dinner. There was no electricity, and frankly speaking you do not feel the need for it. In the late evening, all of us sat on the ground in front of our house. While waiting for the dinner, we relished the cup of tea, and chatted amd listened to the old Hindi melodies and breaking news on the radio.

Today, when papa told me about the recent developments in the hills, I thought if people from the hills can relocate and make a living, am I not missing a great opportunity. What do I really want? What does a good life really mean to me?

1. I would want to live and work in a place where I can connect to the nature - the trees, animals, hills, river, clean air, climate and the peaceful atmosphere.
2. I want to do creative and meaningful work that raises the quality of life of others, that gives me respect from others, and full of never-ending learning opportunities.
3. I want my work to reward me enough money to fulfil my responsibilities towards my family without any compromise.
4. I want to give love and care to my wife and kids, and create a loving atmosphere where I, my wife and my kids learn and grow strong.
5. I want to give some time to myself, to exercise, to play, to laugh, to meditate, to introspect and generate positive vibes.


+++++++++++++++++++++++++++
This song got automatically played in my phone while I was writing above lines.


Aane Chaar Aane song lyrics

aane char aane bache hai char aane sun le waste na karna yaar - 2
baara aane zindagi yunhi waste hui waste hui waste hui - 2
ke ab toh aana char aane bache hai char aane sun le waste na karna yaar
aana char aane bache hai char aane sun le waste na karna yaar
dhim dhim tanana ....

itne sapnen the jo dil mein hi marr gaye
chadhane ke pehle hi "parvat" se darr gaye
itne sapnen the jo dil mein hi marr gaye
chadhane ke pehle hi parvat se darr gaye
ab toh chadhenge girenge dekhenge kya hai parvaton ke paar
ke ab toh aana char aane bache hai char aane sun le waste na karna yaar
dhim dhim tanana ....

backfoot backfoot backfoot backfoot pe khele the
fronfoot fronfoot fronfoot fronfoot pe khelenge
backfoot backfoot backfoot backfoot pe khele the
fronfoot fronfoot fronfoot fronfoot pe khelenge
second innings mein jo maarenge chhakka seedhe stadium ke paar
ke ab toh aana char aane bache hai char aane sun le waste na karna yaar
baara aane zindagi yunhi waste hui waste hui waste hui - 2
ke ab toh aana char aane bache hai char aane sun le waste na karna yaar
dhim dhim tanana ....