Few Days before the Journey!!
Preparation, packing has always been last moment things for me. But this time just a few days before luckily I realised, with COVID times around I should be a little more prepared in advanced and not leave things for last minute.
Ah! I think this realisation was the turning point. Everything started going for toss now on.
I was travelling to Art fo Living Bangalore International Centre exactly after a year. Two reasons – meet Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar and attend a marriage.
The preparations started with 4 days before, when I decided to gift myself Valentines gift ;), replace the lost diamond earing (oops, yea I had lost one and now had to get a new pair).
The plan was perfect at 4 pm go with Mom after our Sunday lazy nap. It was 12:00 noon, all of sudden there was an urgent call by my sister who needed my assistance. And we had to replan everything. Long story short within next 30 mins me and mom were in jewellers shop, found the exact peice I wanted, but he said he will have to order to make one and I can get it only after 8 days , i was disheartened, as was looking forward to wear the same for the wedding, and now i couldn’t. Next moment the owner says, we had already placed an order for similar peice for another customer which will come in 3 days, you can take that. I asked, “What about that customer”, he said, “they will be OK”.
Ah!!! My daimond earing was sorted just like I wanted, and exactly in time – a day before my flight. I was happy.
I had given my favourite saree and dress for dry clean too. The vendor agred he would give me my dresses and saree day before my flight. I was set!!!
Day before the journey!!
The day starts as routine and as always I log into my office, for work and to my surprise my calendar is blocked from 12-6 PM, i was like – “thats ok, i can go after 6 PM”
Then 2 PM, my team member calls, “Sheetal I need your help, I saw your calendar, blocking your time from 6-7 PM”.
Arghh… this was not good news, the jeweller would close by then. The meeting was important as we had to present to solution next day. I requested him if he could postpone by 1.5 hr and he agreed. Wow!! I had 1.5 hr to collect my laundary, collect my earings and pick up mom back home on the way.
Everything is Set !!
The 6 PM meeting spilled over, I managed to finish it somehow.
I had to co-ordinate for someone to take daily meditation practice as I was going to be away, called Rhutik, my friend and he agreed to fill the space for me.
And there came some discussions and enquiries for the next Art of Living – Breath and Meditation Program – did the necessary formalities and gave the registration details and I was set. Had an irritating call meanwhile, somehow completed it.
Meanwhile was reminded of the new law to have the side mirrors in place for Activa. Had to fit them back, cause taking auto (cab) to Raviwar peth in evening would be most insane thing to do. Dad helped out to fix the mirrors. I had one hour to finish everything and be back home for the meeting.
Managed to reach there on time, collected my stuff from jeweller, picked up mom and there was a huge traffic jam. Rode my bike sanely, and just managed to reach home 2 mins before. Was in calls after that until 9:30.
Hold on !!! If everything went as per our plan – that would be too dreamland types. Here comes the twist!
I thought its good time now to start packing! And whoaaa the LAUNDARY. I had missed to collect. I had early morning 8:45 AM flight, so collecting next day was not a choice.
I was like what do I do now, experienced a heartbreak. Was disappointed, yes i know what you are thinking I could pick up other dresses- but I dint want to compromise.
Called the laundry guy, if he could open the shop early, he said shop boys would come by 7:30 AM only. I dropped him a message to request if he can help some how, but no reply.
I had given up, surrendered to Nature (Niyati). When things are our of control, surrender works !
Reluctantly started to pack my bag, dugged my wardrobe found some ironed dresses and saree, packed everything and slept by 12:00 midnight.
Day Of journey!!
Was up at 5:30 AM did my meditations and was doing my chores. 6:30 AM the laundry guy calls, I am opening the shop, “come down”, these words for me were like – “I am opening doors to Happiness for you”
Whoaa !!! I happily jumped and in few minutes unpacked my bag and packed it again, Left home 2 hrs before flight (those who know me this is quiet unusual). Now nothing can go Wrong! I was assured!
Reached airport and realised there were no Kiosk to web check in and no counter check ins. I had 10 mins before the web check in closes. And VI network was in no mood to co-operate. Hahaha , i could just smile
There is no derth of adventures in life !!!
If you thinking why did I not do web check in before, I was doing it previous night, but printing boarding pass was not possible, then a friend of mine said do it at the airport. I agreed!
Now , Here I was trying to figure what to do? Security check queue was crazy there were hundreds in the queue.
Looking at my helplessness, the spice jet staff offered her mobile hostspot for me to do my web check-in. I didnt even bother what seat was given, the boarding pass was now of more priority.
When existence is at stake, pleasures, fancies, choices, likes and dislikes all drop. I could experience this right now!!
Got my boarding pass, and now I had to fight another adventure – THE SECURITY CHECK QUEUE.
I was that far away in Queue that another 1 hr it would take for my turn. I was wondering what do to, should I just request each person to allow me to go ahead? Whom should I talk to? Trying to locate a frinedly officer.
And the Police Authority gives a call — “All ladies passenger come forward“, I heard it, but no one ahead was moving. The guy calls out second time – “All female passengers make a parallel queue and come forward.” And I just walked, there were around 40 of us in the queue, but other then 2-3 of us no one wanted to leave their family and move ahead. And in next 5 mins I was at the counter, trying to scan my boarding pass.
The moment the authority asked for boarding pass, I tried to display it from my mobile and VI mobile network – the page would just not load. All of sudden I remembered the Spice Jet staff had told me to take a screen shot after web check was done, I was in robotic mode then so I just did what was said, without putting my intellect in.
When things are out of control, sometimes it is good to be a follower in those times
Yup I displayed the sreen shot and in next 1 minute had a tray in my hand and was removing my laptop from bag. I was out of the giant queue in 7 mins.
Happily waiting at my gate and utilising the time to pen this down for you! Ah I am called for boarding and seat which got assignned to me was of Business Class – a comlimentary upgrade. Alas!
When you let the universe act, everything that is perfect and best for you is bound to happen.
We just need to have faith and patience !!!
The power of surrender can do miracles
