The world is full of kind people

 And I was fortunate to be the beneficiary of such kindness- which was of great magnitude, considering the urgency of my needs. This kindness was voluntarily forthcoming and unexpected. Moreover, it came from the heart, as an act of love, not charity. 

I was trying to get into a medical facility for some testing, and the practice was fully booked out for two weeks. I had a choice to go elsewhere, but this is the one I wanted to have my exam at, as they are very reputable, and I have had very good experiences with them in the past- especially when compared to other places, including the hospital system we are affiliated with. 

So on Thursday, I called and tried to ask if there would be any possibility for me to be booked for two different kinds of imaging tests. They had to be on the very day, or the next day! I just had these two days available before my travel commitments. The lady who I spoke to for my appointment listened to my dilemma and urgency. Not finding anything available for the Thursday or Friday, she put me through to the person who actually is responsible for overall managing the particular testing Unit. Let’s call this angel G. 

So G spoke with me, and quite understandably advised me that they’re two weeks out. I explained to her about my upcoming travel and requested if I could check with her again on Friday to see if something opens up.

“What were you thinking,” G asked, and continued, “That perhaps there may be a cancellation? 

“Yes,” I replied. 

“Okay, I’ll also check and call you back if there’s anything,” G responded. And something told me this woman will be as good as her word. 

Meanwhile I went about my day. Thursday afternoon was really quite hectic for me. I left home around 4:30 pm, and started with my first errand on Howell Branch road, which was the furthest point from my house, and which meant I would be driving on the ever congested SR 436. With very frequently placed traffic lights, and at the edge of rush hour, I had little choice.

The optimist in me went, and of course I was richly rewarded with kindness at every stop, starting with my first destination. I met a lovely lady there and we indulged in some mutual admiration. I will probably not see her again, then again, who knows? The Lord is whimsical in such matters and we may cross paths. One never knows. 

I put in directions on maps to my next destination in Casselberry. Because of the traffic, my attention was fully on the road. When I arrived at my destination, it was about 6:45 pm, and upon checking my phone I saw two missed calls with two voice mails. It was G. What was she doing in the office that late? They close at 5:00 pm. The voicemails said G was trying to “get a hold of me” for my appointment which she was able to schedule! She need not have done this, going above and beyond. After all I was nothing to her, but just a voice on the phone- one of the many patients this busy office serves. 

I hastily called back and reached the answering service. The man said to call back during business hours. Could I please leave a message for G? Sure, he said. I did, and he told me that she says to call back during business hours. I was disappointed, and decided to head to my next destination. 

Sitting in the drivers seat, I was about to start the car, when I decided to look at the best route in maps, and also check traffic. Before I could do that, I saw an email show up as a banner at the top of my phone screen, from that imaging center! I hastily opened it. It was G. She wrote she had an opening available for tomorrow and was trying to reach me. I hurriedly responded that I was driving, and am now able to take her call, if she would please call me again, as I couldn’t reach her by phone. She did. She called. I hadn’t been certain that she would see my response, as she may be shutting down for the day. The universe was also at work, trying to help. Thank you Universe and thank you G! I did say angel, it was not in vain. 

The rest as they say was smooth sailing. What touched me deeply, was the effort G went to, to help me meet my deadline. She tried calling, and then used her ingenuity to look up my email address and write. I went this afternoon and had one exam done. The other unfortunately couldn’t happen as I had misplaced the Order. It was not in the car where I had left it.

Here again, N at the front desk tried calling my doctor’s office to have them fax my order. But they close early on Fridays. 

The exam I did have done was performed by M. What a gem, as she took a couple of extra images to ensure the doctors could see everything they wanted to see. M was absolutely amazing. I was worried I’d be claustrophobic but I surprised myself. It was smooth sailing. 

After the exam, I still had errands to run. Filled up gas and then went to a store to buy some stuff to take with me. At the check out, I asked the lady, if I may have a couple of extra bags, to pack the gifts separately. 

“No, ma’am,” she said, we cannot give extra bags. Then she doubled up my existing bags, and in the last bag, she noticed two extra bags sticking to it. She said here, these bags are sticking to it, just take them. What a clever lady, and so kind!

Next stop my pharmacy, to fill the only prescription I take. “I’ll pay out of pocket, “ I said sure insurance would not cover the short notice. S meanwhile ran it through insurance and viola! They’re paying! 

What a lovely day and what a lovely way to end it! Had made mushroom quesadillas and it turned out to be great.

Sat down after dinner to watch the Danish TV series, BEACHSIDE HOTEL.” it’s lovely. My second time seeing it. I was dozing off while watching it. On that note, eyes closing and sweet slumber beckons. I will think of my muses and fall asleep with a smile on my face. I will bless all the angels who I interacted with today. I will wake up with a smile on my face. What a wonderful world. It is full of kind people! 

Wrote two new poems, and started a blog on Prayer.. 

Veenu Banga

1:22 am

 29th Match 2025.

Impromptu dinner at Susan’s last night!

 I had been back from Sedona for six days and Susan and I did not get to meet. Either she had an appointment, or I did. So texted. Yesterday morning Susan texted to ask if we’re free for dinner. At her place or to go out to the new Indian restaurant at Hunt Club. Her house, I responded and could we make it a pot luck? I would surprise her with something, and could surprise me with a salad!

So that was the plan. Then Susan got it out of me- what I was cooking and that’s okay. Sorry blog, not saying it here, because can’t share the food with you anyways. So we had a lovely time. What a gift it is to have a good friend. 

Susan’s loquat tree is loaded- mine have not been very fruitful this year. So out I went into the backyard and ate the fruits. Then picked a few dozen to take back- indeed had some this afternoon. Super sweet and juicy.

My mulberry tree is heavily hanging low in all its branches, though only a few have just turned purple. I eat them straight off the tree. Little and not so little green ones abound. This year at least I will not miss them altogether. I can hang around my trees all day long. I want a tree house. I never get to speak with the branches that are right at the top. I wonder if they’re lonely. 

The Moringa is flowering and I’d been meaning to get the flowers to make raita with them, as Mummy used to do. Should remember for tomorrow. Hope to go to Casselberry tomorrow. Have dosas in the temple cafeteria and then go enjoy K’s beautiful backyard. 

Going to sleep early tonight. Have started my packing and hope it will not be the last day that the bags get fully done. Wonder who will carry me across this time, to A’s home sweet home. Then AMS six days later, on one of the Stena ferries. Looking forward to summer unfold over the vast blue skies of the Midlands, and the spectacular views from Normandy Hills.

Veenu Banga

11:47 pm

March 22, 2025.

Another world?

03/14/2025: Day 7 at Sedona Mago, and I never thought I could fall in love with the desert. The rich red soil, mostly fine gravel, in some places red clay when soaking wet, with an abundance of rock laying around in good measure. Despite the temperatures being in the low double digits Centigrade. 

Super glad I stayed the two extra nights, after the Level 5 with my Master and 52 other SFQ friends. It’s these two days, exploring the terrain on my own, that the Energy embraced me. Away from the classroom, and an unstructured schedule. I sat at the waterfalls, praying and reflecting. Grateful, forging a connection, respectful of the land. Climbing the 120 steps, at each we can reflect or life in that year. On the first step, I stop long, and reflect on what Mummy would have felt to realize she is alone and with child. I thank my maternal grandparents for taking her in, for the giving me the good and luxurious lifestyle in my formative years. Till he came back for us. 

The fabulous food at Sedona Mago- three healthful, nourishing meals. The unspoken camaraderie of everyone there, whatever they were doing, and the fabulous staff, in the office and the kitchens. Sedona Mago has their own programs, besides hosting retreats such as ours. 

Walking the labyrinth which was just outside our classroom. Surrounded by mountains on all sides, some with their snow covered sides, it felt we were nestled away from the prying eyes of the world beyond. Like another human could not peek over the mountains to look inside this nest where we were at complete peace with our souls. Just the nearness of Master Lin, as if no time had passed since my last meeting with him. 

The Master never leaves our heart. His Energy colors my core, the only steadying crutch, I must remember to seek its succor more frequently. I wish I had asked him to sign my course notes handbook. I had thought about it, but then felt a reticence and dismissed the idea as soon as it came. How precious are those moments when his wisdom embraces with the comforting that comes only from a place of one’s surrendering to the belief in our Master’s teachings. 

While the Jainism prayers and its principles permeate in me as my doctrine of choice, as the JVBs provide Samanijis to reach out to, to guide and support. Their human interaction offers a huge support. Master Lin’s teaching offer strength and optimism that keeps one going. Thoughts of his contributions to my life are always only a blink away. I think about him, and I’m comforted. Both Jainism and qigong are as much a part of me, as the Sikh prayers I heard in my childhood, and had forgotten, letting them get buried in the dusty dredges of my wounded Spirit. The Mool Mantra has once again become a presence in my life. I was so angry with myself, I stopped praying. Attending this workshop with Master Lin, my second Level 5 with him, was the best thing to happen to me and promises to make this a better year than the last. 

The Master never leaves us. I had been putting off signing up for the class, waiting for a ‘sign’ to make the decision for me. Finally on Tuesday I opened the registration link but still no action. The course started on Saturday, and then there were flights to book and local transportation to arrange. 

I had earlier started organizing my dozens of notebooks, scribbled with journal entries, poems, and stories. I went back to the table, and opened a notebook, flipping through the first few pages. A Journal entry, dated the last decade, “I woke up dreaming about Master Lin. He was asking me if I had registered to come, and I said no, I haven’t. Go and do it immediately said Master Lin..” I shut the notebook, noticing the green cover. For once I listened to my small voice, and rushed to reserve my place in the class.  

The flights were only $800 or so when I been looking. Now with three days left, both points and dollar tickets were substantially up. To arrive on time, I had to take the 8:00 am flight, with just an hour in Atlanta to connect to Phoenix. Then it was another 2.5 hours by coach to Sedona Mago. 

After seven days at Mago, we moved out to spend two nights at a hotel in Cottonwood, a small town about 25 minutes from the prohibitively expense Sedona. So one could actually see the town and experience the famous Vortexes of Sedona. 

Snow was still on the ground the next morning, after having snowed overnight. From the window of the hotel room, I could see the roofs of cars covered in white. It was an easy drive to Sedona. It’s a magical downtown, more magical, like an Alpine village with the snow now thick on the red hills that ensconced the valley. 

Our first stop was the Airport Mesa. Truly spectacular views. Again, the feeling of magic, of being connected to the earth. Once again, I walk with awareness and tell the earth to allow myself to be grounded, ground me. To connect with it. The sky spreads out wide. I realize I haven’t seen any sunrise or sunset. Then on to The Chapel of the Holy cross. There is a grottos outside so it’s a Catholic church. 

Last stop is the Bell Rock trail, but it’s become hot and I’m hungry. In search of a place to eat, we stumble upon the Oaks Village Saturday markets. I buy more rock jewelry and lavender perfume and lavender and Sandalwood body butter from the Sedona Lavenders lady. The perfume has notes of lavender, vanilla (not my favorite, but works here admirably) and either frankincense or sandalwood? It’s smells clean and fresh. 

The Tara Thai restaurant is closed. We decide to go back to Babu’s tikka masala place where we had eaten the night before. The food is fabulous, run by a Pakistani family from Lahore. I tell them about my Lahore connection, and give them the address on Nisbat Road. 

The palak paneer is delicious- best for I’ve had in a while. Next morning we fly back. We get off okay, but Atlanta is a mess with weather delays and Delta is doing the best the can. Our flight is delayed, cancelled, delayed till next working. Luckily Delta Million miler status speaks volumes and we are rebooked on an earlier flight and get home by midnight. . 

It’s been almost a week since I’m back, so my words don’t do justice to Sedona. However, I notice, that it’s far better than Glastonbury, where we were last Christmas. 

Thank you Universe, for the gift of my Samanijis, Masters, teachers and like minded souls who I had the honor to befriend. The world has so much beauty, so much joy- all free. We can partake of this manna with all the senses the creator has provided to relish His or actually Her,  Creation. Mother Earth. Heaven is here, it is, it is. 

Veenu Banga

1:19 am

03/22/2025. 

PS. Realize it’s almost time to go again, another part of Heaven calls. Where blackberries grow unabashedly in the wild, and flowers adorn gardens which abound everywhere.