! A journey by train !

Sometimes I wonder how God handles all of us. Yes it includes ALL of us, everyone on this planet - human beings, animals, insects, every flora or fauna. We are indeed puppets in HIS hands as rightly said in an old Bollywood cinema. Everything happens for a reason and that too a good one. There is a reason behind the chirping of birds, there is a reason behind roar of a lion, there is a reason behind life and death, and there is a reason behind every accident and incident. In my, not very long lifespan, I have not come across any incident, which has not positively affected me. Even the mistakes & blunders did make a huge impact on the environment around us.

Recently I encountered an interesting episode, in which the mistakes done could have been a disaster, if it was not God's wish. But to view it in other way, again it was a lesson to teach how to avoid our carelessness and un responsive behaviour. And there is a third view to it as well, that there are infect many good people around us. Its up to us if we encounter them or not!

We were returning from small town of Punjab after attending a family function. Our trip was very comfortable while going from Delhi to a small green village in Punjab. We were traveling by train this time leaving our cozy comfort of the car. My husband actually does not like to go for long drives. :) Isn't this so unromantic? Anyways romantic long drives are there only in movies and TV. So we got our train ticket's print outs and identity cards to show at the time of travel. We boarded the train in the evening around 7 pm from Punjab to Delhi. As soon as we boarded we found ourselves in the compartment full of Sikh men and women. I was amazed because it cannot be a co incidence that whole compartment is full of Sikhs. In few minutes we came to know that the whole compartment is full of a group from Sikh community. They were coming back from holy expedition to their famous pilgrimage located in Amritsar. They were of all ages and gender. Women were doing their 'path' and men were also in the process of arranging seats to their people or just relaxing after their holy encounter. What was making me furious because some other people also occupied our seats? Especially I was annoyed, as I having habit to react very quickly on any action done in front of me. Well! My husband was just trying to understand the situation at that time instead of getting angry. He has this innate capacity to be calm and quiet in worst of situations. 

After discussion for few minutes, kids and me were given a seat in the nearby compartment. There also few of their seats were booked. After good 15 minutes of wait, my husband came to me and told me shyly that we carelessly checked the timings of train and our train to Delhi is already gone in the morning at 7 am. And that strange '24 hours format' has done it again. The moment he told me this, I gave him a stern look as if he belongs to some terrorist group. 

But it took only few seconds to regain my calm back. 

What amazed me was the behaviour and attitude with which people in the compartment held this situation, especially group of Sikh people. They not only gave us seats but also provided us the dinner for all. As it was a ticket, which would have provided us with dinner also, had we boarded the right train? My kids were accommodated comfortably and played throughout the journey with other kids in the train. Overall it was a pleasurable journey and a great learning experience.

Though we could not get a chance to formally thank them, but in my heart I prayed for them. 

This incident solidified my belief that we all are interconnected with each other in this world. 

It’s only about striking the right chord. And moreover its up to you only, what kind of people are attracted towards you - good or bad: clever or simple.