Uncontrollable Laughing…

One of my best friends from high school has this gift of laughing continuously, without a gap. Whatever may be the reason, however simple the joke might be, he just laughs out loud.

Once when we were in sixth standard, during a mathematics class, when the teacher was busy solving a problem on the black board, there was a tiny joke cracked in the back benches. The joke soon spread to the whole class. This friend of mine, who was sitting beside me, started laughing loudly, uncontrollably and in full volume of his throat.

The teacher turned back, came running towards our bench and gave him a tight slap and told him to get out of the class. The slap was so hard that his face turned red and one could clearly spot four big finger marks on his fair cheek. After the class, I went in search of him; I expected him to be sad and guilty and prepared myself to comfort him.

Just then, I heard loud laughing, so loud that the person who was laughing might have definitely heard the best joke of this millennium or the joke of a lifetime. I turned round the corridor and found a group of students. Among them, I spotted this same old friend of mine, who was again into loud uncontrollable laughing. It was a nice move that he managed to not only forget the pain of the slap but he got himself into happy mood again.

Laughing is considered to be the best exercise for both the heart and the brain. Once you start to smile and laugh, there is joy coming from your heart, which is the most effective way to supply oxygen to the brain.

Laughter, along with a healthy sense of humor is good for our heart. Yes, it is definitely the best medicine to our body and a regular, hearty laughter should be added to the list of our daily activities.

So friends, the next time you hear a funny joke, just go ahead to fully flex your facial muscles by laughing out loud uncontrollably...

Nilgiris Calling again…

Here is a sequel to one of my popular September'08 posts "Nilgiris Calling…"

Time for us to revisit the Nilgiris - the majestic mountain ranges with gigantic peaks, breathtaking views, lovely landscapes, widespread tea plantations, beautiful gardens, rushing streams and munificent meadows.

This view from the dolphin's nose peak provides an excellent picture of the Catherine falls and a vast expanse of verdant plains. These cool and cascading waterfalls fill our hearts with a gamut of positive emotions.

As luscious flowers bloom, they fill the air with fresh fragrance so that the birds, along with the bees and colourful butterflies, sing the song of nature's freedom and joy. This view shows us how the leaves are secretly whispering "you look amazing today" into the tender ears of the flowers.

This view from the side window of our car shows the trees with bright leaves, standing blissfully in tranquility. Even the view reflected by the car's side mirror is lovely and eye-catching.

The Rose Park in Ooty has many exotic varieties of roses. This view of the rose garden, with thousands of multi-coloured roses, is simply mesmerizing.

The Nilgiris, called the 'Queen of Hill Stations', is a true symbol of beauty and a traveler's destination of freedom, happiness and inspiration.

Fear of mortality…

One of my relative, an eighty four year old man often says, “I have just a few more years left in me and I will die soon; but you people should live happily, the future is all yours”.

Since the past two decades, we are hearing the same old dialogue from him and still he continues to speak the same. He is still a healthy man, free from any kind of disease; but I fail to understand why he always thinks that death will approach him soon. Who knows, he may live a life of more than a hundred years.

Recently at a family gathering he tried to repeat the same, but this time I interrupted, “Man, you have health, wealth, happiness and everything a man of your age needs; so why do you say such words, why not be cheerful in life?”

He smiled and said, “I don't know how to explain it now but when you actually reach old age you will realize it and then remember my words; but believe me my boy, it is not so easy to digest the fact that you are mortal and will have to die someday soon”. On hearing those words, I was left blank and confused.

Really, some people become increasingly fearful and anxious of death as they grow older.

Agonizing Sting…

This morning when I met my uncle, I noticed that his left hand was bandaged. He was unable to move his arm and said that the pain was unbearable.

When enquired, he started explaining, “As I walked into the balcony last evening, I heard a buzzing sound. I looked around and found a honey bee flying vigorously and circling me. I immediately ran into the living room and the bee followed me. Within seconds the bee stung me and vanished. I didn’t even try to shoo it away but while I was running for safety, it targeted my arm”.

He then cautioned me, “The next time you come across a bee, better be careful man, it might be an angry one”. I asked, “What exactly should we do to be safe from an attacking bee”. He pointed his finger to the bandage and shrugged, “I don’t know”.

Bee stings are annoyingly painful and deadly if the victim is allergic to bee venom. They often trigger allergic reaction and infection which include inflammation, itching, swelling and pain.

I agree that bees are very important for pollination and ecology, but human safety is also important right? So, how can we find a balanced way?

Well, if an angry bee is ready to attack you, what would be your defensive reaction?