My friend: 92 - 122!
Narendra Goidani
Dearest Darling Friends,
My life changed after meeting my young friend who has been living for 92 years on this planet.
I had been to the Grand Hyatt in Mumbai last month as the keynote speaker for the Asia Pacific conference of IRSHA. Having completed a very fulfilling session I went to my host Pankaj's room to change. I have a habit of taking the stairs everywhere possible. The stairs were not easy to be found. My determination paid off. I did find them very well disguised behind closed doors.
As I opened the gates leading to the stairs I found a fit looking man (looked oriental) coming down from above. His feet were almost bouncing off the stairs. It was clear, he was enjoying walking down the stairs. I smiled at him. He waved at me. "Not using the lift?" he remarked.
"Want to be as fit as you" I remarked back. To me he must have been about 60 years old. He laughed. My smile stretched a little more across my face. There, I had just made a friend.
We fell in steps together. We had never met earlier but his presence was comforting. He seemed very relaxed, it made me relax a little more. We once again exchanged smiles.
"How old are you?", he enquired.
I replied (without any pride) 41. For obvious reasons I felt a little disappointed in that very moment. Compared to him I was not fit.
With a sense of pride he shared, "I am 92." With a laughter he added, "ONLY !"
My jaws opened with surprise. He was watching my face. He let out a booming laughter. I think he was used to this type of a reaction all the time. I think he also enjoyed this a lot. I was truly flabbergasted as the truth sunk in!
"92 ! ? !!! ", I exclaimed.
After gathering my wits for a few moments that felt like eternity I asked with a child like look of disbelief and enthusiasm, "What do you do to keep fit?"
"In the last more than 65 years, I have not missed a single day of exercise. And, I never ever take the elevator." I was all ears. He had my total interest, imagination, follower-ship...."My Good God !" I silently whispered.
I wanted he should reveal a few more secrets of fitness to me. Hence I stayed silent. Not to mention, I was totally overawed. Walking down the stairs in tandem, he revealed one goal of his life. He shared, "In my village, one man lived till 122. I want to live longer than that." There was a brilliant twinkle in his eyes. I was mesmerized. He looked convinced he will achieve his dreams. There were no traces of doubts in his eyes whatsoever.
We had reached the lobby by now. He moved towards the restaurant, I moved out towards the entrance gates where the car that was to take me back to my city Pune would be waiting for me. But not before I asked him, "May I hug you?".
He was clearly taken aback by my request. Without taking the risk of him deciding against my request, I enveloped him in my hug. Embarrassed by my display of affection, he withdrew fast. Shaking my hands, wishing each other all the best, we left.
He also left behind, in me, an urge to be fitter than ever before. A few questions kept on raging in my mind. Will I live to see 92? Will I be fit enough when I reach 92? Can I dare to dream to live till 122 ??? This is magical. I kept on thinking.
With my heart racing fast, with my mind clear, with the wind of the express highway caressing my face, I asked myself, "Why not indeed?".
I suddenly remembered I had not even asked him his name, nor taken any contact details from him. But then, he had left an indelible mark forever within me. I have named him 92-122.
Thank you 92-122 for touching my life. 51 years to go before I reach that first goal post of 92. Interesting, very very interesting indeed.
With loads of love, prayers and best wishes,
naren
As I live...I learn
na...@lifeschool.co.in
Knowledge - Practice - Excellence
Recently I addressed an international seminar (for Asia Pacific region) of IRSHA as the Keynote speaker. People from various nationalities across continents were present. Since this was the first time I was addressing an international seminar, I was a little unsure how to begin. I began with a game.
I asked all of them to take a blank piece of paper and any writing instrument. I then asked them to look carefully at their neighbour. With a huge smile on my face, I now asked them to sketch their neighbour. Suddenly the hall, that was silent earlier, was filled with buzzing voices and animated gestures. There were giggles, nervous laughters as well as thoughtful expressions. Some faces said 'wow' while a few also betrayed 'Oh no!'.
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None of this has happened
Imagine your house is burgled. Your most prized valuables have been stolen. Can you imagine your misery and anger?
Imagine your child is not to be found anywhere. Chances are high, he has been kidnapped. Can you imagine your sense of helplessness and intense fear?