Kids Are Kids. They Will Never Lose Their Innocence.

Yesterday was the much awaited installation of our Lions District Cabinet and being the Secretary of my club I was privileged to hold the banner of my club and attend the installation. As its said man proposes and God disposes I fell ill with a terrible flue. As my co members were leaving for the programme I was thinking why God at this time you put me in bed and that too when one of my favourite actresses was attending the show

Poor mom because she had to baby sit her YOUNG son she also could not go. Anyways I slept through and got up today a lot back to normal. So still on rest I was relaxing on one of those bean bags which keep you as cosy as you love to be watching one of my favourite shows on tv. Anyone passing by would get to see me lying in the passage. Suddenly I hear this shrill voice " Naveen Uncle how is your fever ?  ”I looked out and there stands Adi my club presidents son who is my neighbour. So I waved at him and said "Monu am doing well" the conversation didn't end there and there comes the cutest sentence I heard in a few weeks. “Uncle ennikkum ennale paripadikku  pokkan patteella athukondu ningal vishamikkanda" which means I too couldn't make it to the function yesterday  so you don't worry.

I was so touched . A young boy of his age taking the trouble to stop at my gate and call out to me to console me for the bad feeling I had about missing the function was actually so soothing to the mind. I really could feel the concern in his voice when he said it.

We say kids are new generation and they are more caring about their electronic devices....... No it is not. It is about the way the kids are brought up. When the kids in our times asked for time to our parents they gave it in abundance and we were always happy with them. today we as parents don’t have time and we give our kids all the gadgets instead of the time they ask for and we complain about the change in their attitudes.

What all my parents said  I did as a child I see my son and nephew doing then why are we cribbing about  the lost New generation when we are the cause for losing them.

My Dreams...... As I Walk the Aisles.....

 As a young boy, I often found myself gazing at the sky, entranced by the sight of small flying objects dropping foreign sweets from their wings. Those moments filled me with wonder and excitement. Over the years, that youthful fascination slowly transformed into a deep desire to work in the airline industry.

At the age of 20, in the early 2000s, I took my first steps toward that dream. I stumbled upon a newspaper clipping advertising a position as a Flight Steward. With minimal exposure but a heart full of determination, I decided to give it a shot. In May 2001, I embarked on the biggest trip of my life at that time, traveling to Cochin alone to attend the interview.

As I stood before the interview panel, I was a 20-year-old with a youthful charm, and they saw the potential in me. "Yes, you are in," they said, but there was a catch - I needed a consent form from my parents. In a world where I was technically an adult, it was the early 2000s, and my family's firm stance prevailed. No matter how hard I tried, their decision was unyielding, and my dream of becoming a Flight Steward was dashed.

Yet, the flame of that desire never truly died within me. Life took me on different paths, much like how dormant cells in the body can awaken at unexpected times. I moved forward, but the dream still lingered beneath the surface.

Fast forward 20 years, and I found myself at the age of 41 on a visit to Singapore. A paper advertisement caught my eye, and it was for Singapore Airlines, seeking Flight Stewards once again. My dormant desire began to sprout back to life.

I applied, went through a series of online tests, and finally made it to the Singapore Airlines office for their few final rounds of selection. I dressed impeccably, and I spoke with confidence, believing that this was my chance to finally chase my dream. However, the outcome was not what I had hoped for - I got eliminated. It was a crushing blow, and I felt a deep sense of disappointment as I walked out of the office.

But as I sat on the train, headed back from the interview, I had a moment of clarity. I looked within and told myself, "Naveen, you did give yourself a second chance." The dream of walking the aisles of an airline as a Flight Captain had always been there, but now I saw that I was already living it in my own way.

I had my own trolley bag, filled with all my training equipment. Whether I walked into training halls or railway stations, I embraced every step, telling myself, "Naveen Manomohanan, Flight Captain, you are walking into the aisles of the airline that's en route to a new destination every day."

Life, I realized, was simple when you kept it that way. And on April 1, 2023, as I stood there, I looked back on my journey. I had walked a thousand aisles in my own unique way, and I knew there were still many more miles to fly before I would finally rest. My dream was alive, and it was my daily reality, reminding me that it's never too late to chase your passion.

Lock Down Diary Day 14

Lock Down Diary Day 14

It was my sons birthday... For me birthday is a lovely memory... Achan and Amma blows a few balloons hangs it up.... A cake was the luxury then with lovely homemade food.... A few guests..... A camera man ooooooohhhh it was awesome..... I have to thank my mom and dad for making those lovely surprises..... And teaching me small happiness made life much more happening and fine.....

Today Achan insisted I had a shot with him... Amma sat with us and got a free kick..... Achan was talking about his father and his mother and after a long while all three of us had a hearty laugh...... Lovely feel....

Everyone made unniyappam I made mango appam.... It's nice though... Love my cooking.... Self Praise hahaha...

Work was indeed lovely a lovely comment from a family we helped... 6 children in the family and they said Kerala is great.....

Vishu is here.... The dark clouds have a silver lining.... We have to remember today is ours let's celebrate that we are alive.... Now will never come a 2nd time.... Enjoy your being.... Enjoy every min.... Yes I am.... I am waiting like a small boy for the kaineettam from Dad and Mom... I told I am the youngest at home now... Old times... But miss Nisha Sandeep....

HAPPY VISHU....

Happiness@lways

13.04.2020

Lock Down Diary Day 13

 Lock Down Diary Day 13

Today was hectic..... I did not know time flying.... Extension of the lock down created a little unrest in all those Guest workers in our district... Can't blame them..... But it's for our good......

I just started feeling that yes everyone has a pain.... Met someone who started telling me abt himself and. I was deep down thinking I am alot better.... I know all of us have issues some deleberately created and some coincidental.... We just have to move on.... BUT MIND YOU NEVER TO FORGET.....

Today I polished my house and our heaven looks soo heavenly..... I felt free doing it cos I had no one telling me not to do... The bhajans in the morning and the evening and the cleaning and the lovely times spent together has brought back a feeling of love and trust.... All those gaps created seems to have flattened up....

I pray and hope our beloved Prime Minister and our great Chief Minister and our honorable health Minister have good health to continue the lovely work....

Also pray that all those relentless service providers and volunteers have a healthy safe time tooo...

Love you all

Happiness@lways

12.04.2020

Lock Down Diary Day 12

Lock Down Diary Day 12

The lock down is going to be extended..... Life has come to its rudimentary stage... People have gone back to food from the gardens.... Everyone r reconciled to the fact of being at home and life seems slow but cool....

I felt I missed being formally informal so today I went to office dressed... My dear friends it did make a difference..... I felt good sitting in office today....

My Toastmasters meeting happened and I miss those energy doses of the live toastmaster meetings.... But still meeting all of them is fun....

I get to work on all days as the lock down gets extended..... I am not sure how the food aspect of all the people from other states will be met.... I am stressed but I am sure things will work....

I love u all and above all I started loving myself..... I am into alot of self improvement and I feel happy am on a lovely route.... A route realising myself what is my potential.... A long lost friend of mine Rakesh Vanamali once told me I have alot in me untapped...... I am searching for that untapped energies of mine.....

Let's all join together and work on our untapped potential and grow

Good night to all of us

Happiness@lways

11.04.2020

Lock Down Day 11

Lock Down Day 11

After a long while I ate tamerind straight from the tree..... Oh my God I really went down memory lane.... I missed by Raji moothamma, my Dad's sis.... Sooooo much.... She used to allow us to do all this when we were young.... I love her and her fond memories will always remain...

Chopped another huge banana bunch from our little garden.... The compound is a little away from our house.... So took amma for a long drive to the next compound..... Sure she enjoyed the trip hahaha....

Spoke to some old friends who really meant alot.... And I feel I am back to my normal self.... People in my neighbourhood say I look calm....

Anyways I have been doing alot of work today.... Dealing with people with varied issues from food to stay..... I am being socially useful and I feel good......

I love my colleagues and the way we work is really nice.... Anyone who is not scared of Corona who wants to volunteer on field please let me know.....

Love u all... Let's take a minute and pray for all of us before we say good night...

Happiness@lways...

10.04.2020

Lock Down Day 10

Just realise that life is yours enjoy it to the fullest..... 91000 people have gone and at death of theirs no one even wanted to touch them.... Suddenly we realise that we are one dot in that great universe which could be blown off any time.....

So decided to enjoy it this way.... Being yourself and doing what you want to do is very important...... Be yourself....

Dedication is a word I have heard with job..... I have seen many people dedicated to their work like the Armed services say JAAN JAAYE VACHAN NA JAYE and I have also seen people who make lame excuses not to work.... Proud of those who show integrity in what they do.....

I salute all those who support willfully our administration to succeed....

I made a small video on stay home stay safe with a dozen of languages accross India... This was in association with the work I do... Realised we speak somany languages but when there comes a call we stand as one The Stong Indian.....

I have had valuable time with my parents and relive being the pampered again.... I miss my son yes Rishabh is missed... But being the son of a mom and a dad who has a larger perspective about life makes me stronger... I have over come so much in life and this too shall pass....

As I go to bed today I hope and pray that all of you have a great day tomorrow and a rested sleep today....

From now my life would be on a different ball game altogether.....

A new ME in the ME will be with the ME controlling the ME to..... Hahaha suffrening from fatigue.... Sleep guys....

Happiness@lways

09.04.2020