Both of us have a normal Hindu religious upbringing. From regular temple visits, to daily lamp lighting and poojas at home and some sloka chatting… you know the normal thing. We visit the temple regularly and pray to God, the way that was taught to them. Bowed head, hands together, eyes closed as the ringing bells mixed with the chanting of Sanskrit slokas fill the air, the smell of the burning oil/camphor mixed with the agarbati smell creating a haze… Eyes flutter open as the aarati is done before God and a frantic pleading to God in the form of a silent list of things to be done….

Late last night, just before going to sleep, I was just thinking about the hanging-in-the-air vacation planned, the one I desperately wants to go – a cruise to Alaska. Yes! the rational mind of her says, if not now, later probably early next summer but the other half tempts her with the amazing photos I have seen – my mind turning into a high-def TV showing snow capped mountains, pristine waters.. ahhh!! Bliss! Who doesn’t want such a vacation?And my immediate involuntary reaction was to pray.. pray to God to make my vacation a reality. But then the rational side of took over. And here are some questions my rational mind asked… any answers?

• Is it really worth asking God for a vacation?
• Isn’t it petty? Trivial? There are so much more happening in the world one could pray for… no not the beauty contest world peace or the latest Bollywood actors interest in global warming issues. There are so many people whom we know personally who just need a boost. A vacation seems so stupid compared to their lives
• And back to the same thing, we keep asking God for so much, the list grows by the day but what do we do in return. I really am not sure if giving thanks to God is a part of Hinduism. I could be totally wrong but I feel we just ask and ask but never say thanks (Pongal being the exception I guess). All our slokas seem to be praising the God and then asking for one’s own well-being. Correct me if I am wrong…

After all these questions, I just decided to keep my fingers crossed and mutter a small thanks for all the numerous things we have in life and leave the rest to Him! and the vacation… if we are going we’ll surely let u know.. yup a few more crossed fingers won’t hurt…