Thursday, September 3, 2009

Being Twins - Part 2


Shamini & Shantini - Part 2 - The Mistaken Identity

Since young, we've been always mistaken for each other at many occasions. Most of the time, I will try not to be too naughty and just admit that I am not my other twin. And the next reaction from the confused person will be - "OH MY GOD... I didn't know Shantini had a twin!! Please tell her I said HI... " :P

But when I am at my most mischievous moment, I used to pulled a prank on some.

Though we did look alike most of the time, we did have some major differences. For those who knew us well, would usually differentiate us by our height, nose, color, with/without glasses, and of course our characters. But one of the most obvious difference between the two of us is our height and our characters. I guess that became quite apparent and obvious along the way. She is noisy, funny, mischievous, loud, and smart. On the other hand, I am a little bit more controlled, not so noisy, not so loud and finally come back with average scores in school. This puzzled my parents even till we were 17. Father somehow had this idea where we're supposed to be the exact replica of each other. Somehow, I can sit in front of books for hours much longer than she does and yet she will score better than me in school. Well, one thing for sure.. God did not create everyone the same. On the other hand, there were other things that I am better at. :)

So back to the mistaken identity.. One fine day back in Ipoh, I went to a stationary shop to buy some stuffs. As I was getting back to my car, some guy whistled at me. As usual, I just ignored him as he was just another stranger and I quickly got into the car. Just when I was about to drive away, that particular guy quickly ran to my car and knocked on my side window. I was taken aback and thought how daring this guy can be..to the extend of knocking on my window??

So I just wind down the car window and stared at him. He immediately asked, "Hey what are you doing here.. I thought you're having your short semester now??" So I knew at once that the poor guy thought I am my twin sister, Shantini. So guess what..I decided to go on pretending that I am her. I loved this game!!

I replied him.. "Hmmm my classes are over and I am back here.. How about you?? How come you're here? What are you doing?" Honestly, I've no idea who he was at all. It was all merely just a play of luck. I thought they must have been college friends as he knew about her semester. He then answered, "Like that la... I am back here as well.." Then he continued asking me.."Hey you are looking and sound quite different!!"

(Giggles) So I broke the rules this time and asked him.. "Whom do you think I am?"

He stared at me for a while... Trying to get his mind right.

I went on and asked him, "Do you know Shantini had a twin sister??"

Guess what was his next reaction? He took his palm and closed his entire face and he said "OH NO...!! I am so sorry!!" I laughed at him and said "Hey sorry I was just playing a fool with you."

Out of deep embarrassment, he quickly ran away not saying anything. I told Shantini about what happened and she laughed her lungs out.

Many years later, I saw the same guy in Ipoh again. And this time, both me and Shantini were together. He would have thanked God for that! Hahaha... And that was another fun chapter of our lives - which is still happening till today. I guess this kind of incidents are bound to happen our entire lives. We will surely embrace them and act accordingly! :)

Enjoying and cherishing every moment of our twin-hood!
~The first twin, Shamini~

TEN GUIDELINES FROM SWAMI


1. QUIT WORRYING

Life has dealt you a blow and all you do is sit and worry.
Have you forgotten that I am here to take all your burdens and carry them for you?
Or do you just enjoy fretting over little things that come your way?


2. PUT IT ON THE LIST

Something needs to be done or taken care of…
Put it on the list. No, not your list.
Put it on MY to-do list.
Le Me be the one to take care of the problem.
I can’t help you until you turn it over to Me.
And although My to-do list is long,
I am after all… God.
I can take care of anything you put into My hands.
In fact, if the truth were ever really known,
I take care of a lot of things for you that you never even realize.


3. TRUST ME

Once you have given your burdens to Me, quit trying to take them back.
Trust in Me.
Have the faith that I will take care of all your needs,
your problems and your trials.
Problem with the kids?
Put them on My list.
Problem with finance?
Put it on My list.
Problem with your emotional roller coaster?
For My sake, put it on My list.
I want to help you.
All you have to do is ask.


4. LEAVE IT ALONE

Don’t wake up in the morning and say, “Well, I am feeling stronger now…
I think I can handle it from here!”
Why do you think you are feeling stronger now?
It is simple…
You gave Me your burdens and I am taking care of them.
I also renew your strength and cover you in My peace.
Don’t you know that if I give you these problems back,
you will be right back where you started?
Leave them with Me and forget about them.
Just let Me do My job.


5. TALK TO ME

I want you to forget a lot of things.
Forget what was making you crazy.
Forget the worry and the fretting, because you know I am in control.
But there is one thing I pray you will never forget…
Please don’t forget to talk to Me… OFTEN!
I LOVE YOU!
I want to hear your voice.
I want you to include Me in on the things going on in your life.
I want to hear you talk about your friends and family.
Prayer is simply you having a conversation with Me.
I want to be your dearest friend.


6. HAVE FAITH

I see a lot of things from up here that you can’t see from where you are.
Have faith in Me that I know what I am doing.
Trust Me, you wouldn’t want the view from My eyes.
I will continue to care for you and meet your needs.
You only have to trust Me.
Although I have a much bigger task than you,
it seems as if you have so much trouble just doing the simple part.
How hard can trust be?


7. SHARE

You were taught to share when you were only two years old.
When did you forget? The rule still applies…
Share with those who are less fortunate than you.
Share your joys with those who need encouragement.
Share your laughter with those who have not heard any in such a long time.
Share your tears with those who have forgotten how to cry.
Share your faith with those who have none.


8. BE PATIENT

I managed to fix it so in just one life-time
you could have so many diverse experiences.
You grow from a child to an adult…
have children, change jobs many times, learn many trades,
travel to so many places, meet thousands of people,
and experience so much…


9. BE KIND

Be kind to others for I love them just as much as I love you.
They may not dress like you, or talk like you, or live the same way you do,
but I still love you all.
Please try to get along, for My sake.
I created each of you different in some way.
It would be so boring if you were all identical.
Please… Know that I love each of your differences.


10. LOVE YOURSELF

As much as I love you, how can you not love yourself?
You were created by Me for one reason only –
to be loved, and to love in return.
I am a God of love… Love Me…
Love your neighbors…
But also love yourself…
It makes My heart ache when I see you angry with yourself
when things go wrong…
You are very precious to Me!


(As published in April 2007 edition of Nava Sarathy)


Click here to watch the video :

Ten Guidelines from Sathya Sai Baba
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OVvEETaFu9M