SAYING NO - MY ACHILLE’S HEEL

I have a small problem and that is saying NO to people. I don’t know why just I can’t say NO but I can’t simply say NO and I wonder why?

Last year, a man came to sell his cat to me at my home. I told him that I do not need cats and that they are unnecessary since I do not have rats at my home compound. But he insisted that I buy the cat and that he will bring some rat around my home later in the evening. I could not turn down his offer since he was so cute in explaining his situation. Further, to my astonishment and true to his words, he returned towards the evening with a family of four rats and told me that his cat would be useful to me now that he has released the rats around. How do you guys respond to such people? Please teach me how to turn off such people away without hurting their sentiments.

The Cat Seller!

A year before last, an egg seller came to my door to ask if I need some. I told him that I had few dozens already brought from the local market and that I did not need more. But he insisted that I try his brand of egg as it came all the way from his village where only organic farm productions are encouraged. I had to buy at least a dozen since his explanation was so sweet although I had a few dozens in the kitchen already. Have you ever come through such a situation? How would you keep the egg seller out without offending him?

The Egg Seller!

Not long ago, a beautiful lady turned up to offer herself to me since she knew that I live alone. May be she needed it as she explained to me that she did not have opportunity to meet males in the last few months. I said I do not get indulged into such activities since I have vowed not to touch ladies for some time. However, she started removing her clothes and grabbing my things even before I could notice that I was also interested. Can anyone teach me how to avoid such approaches? I need to learn some tactics to free myself off from such desirable happenings.

The lady who took her chance to grab me!

A Badham (ground nut) seller pushed in a packet of Badham through the opened window of my car and told me the price of the packed. I told him that I do not like such stuff much, but he insisted that it was roasted on the hot sand and that it was very tasty. I could not turn down his offer only to learn later that the Badham was not too good for consumption. How do you push such people out of your way polite and unharmed? I need the idea. Please teach me.

The Groundnut Seller!  

A knife seller just shoved in one of his knives through my car window and started promoting the quality of his knife. I told him that I have enough knives and that it was not necessary for me to own many knives. He explained that the knife was made of Truck Spring and that it is very good for use. Under pressure due to his soft and mouth watering explanation, I had to yield to his request and got the extra knife. Any idea how to deal with such people by not making them unhappy? Couldn't believe I got the knife. Help me chase such people please.

The knife seller!

An old lady wanted to hitch a ride with me and explained that she had to reach the hospital before a set time. I said I was not going to the hospital side, but she insisted that if elderly people like her are helped I would accumulate merits. I reached her to the hospice but was late for my emergency meeting. Can anyone help me reject such offers? I need your blessings to deal with such situations. Can't say NO. Put some guts in me, please.

An old lady!

Many people might hope "I marry them since I am an old Bachelor" but that may not be true. However, I know I can't say NO if anyone propose me. A few proposals that I could not say NO are still pending. Weak at heart person like me cannot say NO to any of them. I have accepted all of them and I am now in quandary and I am looking for methods to see them off but without hurting them. Can any one teach me how to do it so? Help!

Person who wants to be strong but not!

Haha! Just kidding guys. He wishes many ladies to ask but unfortunate, not many ask him. Sometimes jokes are good in the samsara which is full of conditions. Enjoy my jokes. This is written with a lightest heart!

Disclaimer

This is my personal thought and anything written here is not intended to harm or promote people or things mentioned here. No one is authorized to use the content of this blog for either personal or public purpose. People mentioned here in are fictitious characters and any resemblance to anyone with some characters or more are purely coincidence.

MEADOWS AND MOUNTAINS - THE RAELMOTENG WAY OF LIFE

A kind of Photo Journalism!

Great Indian Poet, Rabindranath Tagore praised the trees thus, “Trees are the earth's endless effort to speak to the listening heaven" and here we have ample trees which are further beautified by meadows and mountains of unparalleled beauty. Enjoy. Imagine life without trees, it would be pretty much like head without hairs. I love this place.

Figure 1. A fully environmental friendly home amidst the green assortment of plants in Raelmoteng is cozy and warm. "Green is the prime color of the world, and that from which its loveliness arises" is what Pedro Calderon de la Barca has to say and I believe it is true.

Figure 2. View of Raelmoteng Lhakhang towards the evening with the shadow of setting sun up the Phomoche Valley. Just as John Ruskin said, “Sunshine is delicious, rain is refreshing, wind braces us up, snow is exhilarating; there is really no such thing as bad weather, only different kinds of good weather" and the weather here is always refreshing. No annoyances only enjoyments.

Figure 3. Environmentalist Rachel Carson notes that, “Those who contemplate the beauty of the Earth find reserves of strength that will endure as long as life lasts” and I am amused by what she means. I believe her words in every sense. Look at this morning scene from Raelmoteng. Simply stunning! 

Figure 4. I find a lot of sense in Walt Whitman, an American essayist who wrote, “Give me odorous at sunrise a garden of beautiful flowers where I can walk undisturbed” because there is no reason for anyone not to love a life in a place where one could walk through gardens full of beautiful flowers with sweet fragrance every morning and evening. Raelmoteng is one such place which has the potential to provide us this life full of flowers around.

Figure 5. The tradition and custom of mountain people hoisting prayer flags of different colour enhances the beauty of the mountainsides and the meadows. The flags however are not put up for fun. They are for the well being of the people living around or for those who have already expired. These flags are believed to console the struggling souls of dead people or bring forth peace and tranquility to the nearby dwellers. If you sit on a strategically advantageous spot and look at the meadows and mountains around Raelmoteng, you may recall Jane Austen, and English Novelist who put “To sit in the shade on a fine day and look upon the verdant green hills is the most perfect refreshment.” I assure you, the place is refreshing. 

Figure 6. The house is built of timber, the horses feed on medicinal plants, and people inhale pure oxygen. The place is organic in every sense. Beautiful. I love it. Aristotle said, "Nature does nothing uselessly" and here nature takes care of everything. They have enough to eat, drink and live. 

Figure 7. Have anyone seen heaven? I think I have seen one, that's Raelmoteng, a place that have a lot of story to tell. If Jules Renard, a French author who said, "On earth there is no heaven, but there are pieces of it" was around today, he could have made his phrase even stronger and more beautiful. This place is amazing.

Figure 8. In Thrizompa (a place 20 minute walk from Raelmoteng), the dictum of Plautis who noted, “The day, water, sun, moon, night - I do not have to purchase these things with money” changes as the place offer you Arra and Bangchang (local alcohol), Shakam (dried meat), Chugo (locally hardened cheese) and Cheese free of cost. Do not miss this wood house. They have something to offer you free of cost .

Figure 9. Thrizompa from further angle. Simply beautiful. I love the way this people live. Henry Wadsworth Longfellow said “The best thing one can do when it's raining is to let it rain” so is the case here. People here don't bother rain, sun or cloud. They just smile.

Figure 10. Thrimzompa belongs to Aii Kezang (the one serving us sooja). How envious? Mother of several people staying around Singye Dzong, Samtenling (Shingphel), Raelmoteng, Phomoche and Thangchenpo, she is Ama for all kinds of people. Always smiling, she will never let a new person pass her place without at least a cup of tea. I really like her jovial nature. James Dean has to say that “I also became close to nature and am now able to appreciate the beauty with which this world is endowed.” So, I like Aii Kezang and her surroundings.

Figure 11. In between Raelmoteng and Thrizompa, this age-old grinding machine has long history which I will not spell it out here. But believe me the dialogue between Pascal and Jigme is interesting. Blaise Pascal, "Beauty is a harmonious relation between something in our nature and the quality of the object which delights us." Jigme: “Yea, I believe you Pascal.”

Figure 12. The Raelmoteng Community people never worried about things beyond their yaks, happiness and enjoyment with the nature. We named one of them Madhuri after Indian Actress Madhuri Dixit. If they dress up well, they will surely look like one. But I think they are happy the way they are, so never think of decorating themselves with things they wouldn't be comfortable with. Any guess who is Madhuri here?

Figure 13. But to reach Raelmoteng we need to walk three days and it is not easy. I sat in this cave for 6 times in different year the latest one being in 2011 and I still intend to sit there. Called Toe Toe Japhu, it is one resting place that will relieve you of your sweat on the third day to Raelmoteng. Edward Abbey's  “May your trails be crooked, winding, lonesome, dangerous, leading to the most amazing view. May your mountains rise into and above the clouds" becomes my prayer whenever I am on this trail.

Figure 14. No matter what, just take me into the jungles and let me get immersed inside them. John Muir's line, “Climb the mountains and get their good tidings. Nature's peace will flow into you as sunshine flows into trees. The winds will blow their own freshness into you and the storms their energy, while cares will drop off like autumn leaves” are my dreams when I climb these mountains. This is the climb you will face after crossing Raelmoteng if you intend to be in Singye Dzong, Khandro Yeshi Tshogyal's Thrinley Nye.

Disclaimer

This is my personal thought and anything written here is not intended to harm or promote people or things mentioned here. No one is authorized to use the content of this blog for either official, personal or legal purposes. People mentioned here in are fictitious characters and any resemblance to anyone with some characters or more are purely coincidence.