Monday 30 April 2018

Z is for Zaroorat and Zahrah #AtoZChallenge

Zaroorat means need in Urdu.

I heard an elder give this as a blessing to someone who'd bent down to touch her feet, "Bhagwaan khush rakhe, na zaroorat se zyada aur na zaroorat se kam de."

Translation: May God Bless you. May He/She give you just enough, no more and no less than you need.

Can you imagine such a blessed life? Just enough to eat, to wear, to read, to watch, to drink, to share, to walk on, to fly in, to escape to, to hold on to,to hug, to let go, to forget, to remember, to laugh, to cry, to sigh, to think about...just enough...no more and no less.

"What should I get from the shops?" My father used to ask my mother on his way to work, to check if she needed anything for her kitchen or home. His shop was in the bazaar so he would pick fruit and vegetables and sundries on his way back.

"Sirf zaroorat ka samaan." (Only what we need ) Mummy would say.

Our parents never made long shopping lists. We always had enough to eat--almost always fresh. I can't recall a single time when any food was ever wasted. Left-overs didn't usually happen because Beji, my gradmother, was a stickler for eating only freshly prepared meals.

Whenever I come across a bowl of food that's been moved to the back of the fridge or a can of something that's gone past its best by date, my Indian conditioning churns. Buy only zaroorat ka samaan (only what you need) Arti. I have to remind myself of this simple tip. 

So as I come to Z and look back at a journey of plenty, of sharing, seeking, reading, smiling, nodding, even guffawing every now and then, I thank the A to Z team for this month's 'just enough.' For just as the typing muscles are starting to ache and the reading cells are coming up to saturation, Z has appeared on the horizon.

After every day, there's a night. After every challenge, there must be rest.

I know that despite my best intentions, I will write less, blog in-frequently and visit the people I've visited every day, only every now and then.

Rumi's words: "And don't think the garden loses its ecstasy in winter. It's quiet, but the roots down under are riotous." point to a sleeping that is full of preparation and renewal. 

It's time, then, to wave a fond farewell to all the people whose words and pictures visited my days and filled my nights, woke me up before sunset (jet-lagged week that went by) and somehow managed to push Netflix out from my April. That's an achievement fellow A to Zers:) And I thank you for it.

Until we meet again...

I pray for all our lives to be blessed: may all our zarooratein (needs)be met and when they are met, may grace guide us to see we've reached our plenty, may our hearts then sing with gratitude for our life of enough.

Leaving you with another Z word but this time it's from Arabic: Zahrah meaning flower or blossom or beauty.
 These beauties are from the garden that sits by the kitchen where I type out my posts.
Zinnia, Lantana, lemon grass, sunflowers, mogra, chameli (jasmine) fill my needs.
Na zaroot se zyadae
aur na hi kam
No more
No less
Just enough.
Spring has sprung in many places I've visited in this A to Z.
Doha is heating up for summer. 
Spring is short lived here, so I captured it in a post and whenever I feel the zaroorat,
I log on to enjoy the the colours this garden once wore
Here's a beautiful ghazal by Faiz, sung by Tanya Wells.
It's spring with subtitles:)
I know you'll love it.

40 comments:

  1. Arti, I enjoyed this flow of thoughts blog post. No netflix - that sums up my April too. I've written more than I can ever remember. And read more blogs as well.

    The entire generation before us made frugal living a mantra. Nothing was wasted. Those were simpler times.

    Congrats on completing this journey. Do stay in touch :)


    Zoned Out at Pepper House

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    1. Thank you Seema. So glad our paths crossed this April:)

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  2. Hari Om
    Such a joy it has been to share this trip through the alphabet with you, Arti! I have added you to my blogroll (the Blogger version, as the WP was only for this challenge), so will be visiting when you appear on the reader. I do hope it will not be too long apart. The gossamer of ether has connected us!
    Love and Blessings to you and family. YAM xx

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    1. 'Gossamer of ether'--ah! blissfully delicious. Thank you Yamini.xx

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  3. A fitting end to a delightful series Arti. Thank you for sharing your thoughts with us.


    A-Z of My Friend Rosey!

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    1. It's been a pleasure Keith. Thank you for visiting.

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  4. ‘Zordar’ ending of yet another challenge. Thank you for feeding our souls with your beautiful thoughts and words. Loved that Rumi quote. Perfectly apt. See you around. Hugs and love.

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    1. Cheers Pinkz. Zamaane bhar ki khushian tumharee hon...phir milenge yun hee kissi rah mein chalte. chalte:) xx

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  5. This is the part I hate about the challenge - that I know we're all going back to hit-or-miss posting. I have to grit my teeth and remind myself that the contrast is one of the things that makes April so special.
    You do wonderful stuff, friend Arti!

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    1. Hugs dear Jz. Hope you're recovering well.

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  6. Many blessings to you too, my dear one. And a deep bow of gratitude for prodding me to join in the blogging challenge.
    My love to you. xx

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    1. The prodding was entirely selfish because I was missing your words April. May will bring another April to me: the one I love to read:) hugs. xx

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  7. Thank you for a beautiful post to end the challenge.
    http://findingeliza.com/

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    1. Thank you for visiting Kristin. I haven't been as regular to visit you. I hope to drop by now and then.

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  8. Thanks for all the posts this month, congratulations on completing the challenge, and good luck with all your future blogging. Hope to see you again :-)
    https://iainkellywriting.com/2018/04/30/z-is-for-zaragoza-spain/

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  9. Why didn't I come across here sooner? :)
    That's a beautiful teaching your parents have given you.
    I wish everybody only took enough as their zaroorat then there'd be nothing wasted.
    LOVED reading!

    ~ Saraallie
    Sara Writes ~ The Crazy Life of a Silly Little Sister

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    1. Hey Sara, maybe today was the day for you to come by:)
      Happy you found your way here.
      Thank you for your kind words.
      Hope to see your blog soon.

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  10. Congratulations, Arti! Another April, another fabulous month of posts from you! Thank you for teaching me about life where you live along the way. I will miss your daily posts and photos but will enjoy your less frequent posts as they come.

    Hope you get zaroorat ka samaan.

    Emily In Ecuador

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    1. Thank you Emily. It's been a fun April with you, my Ecuadorian Ambassador:)
      Hope Mr. YO is behaving himself. xx

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  11. This closing post is a real treasure Arti - it couldn't be a more beautiful perfect ending to the crazy, wonderful, and utterly unsustainable madness that April's A-to-Z is.

    I will hold your blessing in my heart, and look forward to the more gently-timed meetings ahead.

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    1. What can I say Deborah. I'm eternally indebted to this challenge for bringing you into my universe.
      Thank you kind soul, so full of light.

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  12. Gorgeous bouquet Arti- it pepped up my day for sure. I loved this post on the final letter of the challenge. Many congrats for reaching the finishing line; I have loved reading and interacting with you and look forward to more of it.

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    1. So glad you like the teapot full of flowers. If I had my way, my burtan would all become vases and we'd go out for dosa or langar;)
      Thank you:)

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  13. So nicely summed up Arti.. feel restful after reading this post.

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    1. Cheers Apu. I'm sure you felt my aatman with you when you were trekking up there in the gorgeous mountains while I was typing out posts in Doha;) xx

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  14. zaroorat ki bhi zaroorat na ho...
    tab hi toh ho zindagi khubsoorat.

    :) Wrote the above lines inspired by your post. :)

    Beautiful post. Unfortunate I missed ure blog throughout the challenge. Anyway glad I discovered it now. Will read at leisure. :)

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    1. Wah! Kya khoob Ashwini. Abhi bahut door safar karna hai to reach that point, though. Sareeon ka shauk jo paal rakha hai;)
      Thank you for visiting.

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  15. Na zaroot se zyadae aur na hi kam to you Arti! Hayley Wells song is beautiful, your photos are beautiful and you are a beautiful soul. I've loved your posts, although I may have missed some from the beginning - I'll be going back. Happy May Day! Rest well, and many congratulations on completing but more than that, for the beauty of your posts ...

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    1. Thank you Susan. Your words are going pop, pop, pop in my heart and bursting forth with colour and warmth.
      Thank you:)

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  16. I guess my parents almost have the same idea - they buy only what they need even if it meant never really buying anything new until that or this item are worn to bits. I do almost the same thing but I can't help but get new things.

    to eat fresh food every day is not easy but I do like the idea. fresh food is good for you.

    thanks for sharing your travels, memories and thoughts.

    have a lovely day.

    my last a-z is: zealous nighthawks

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    1. Thank you Lissa.
      Will be popping over soon to check out your last post.

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  17. A fab ending of the challenge with wise and inspiring words. Good to meet you through this challenge, Arti and hope we stay connected. Cheers ♥

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  18. Thank you for the lovely posts and the visits this April! Congratulations on completing the challenge. You filled it with beauty :)

    The Multicolored Diary: Weird Things in Hungarian Folktales

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    1. Thank you Czenge. This means a lot.

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  19. It's a beautiful post for closing the A to Z journey.
    Thanks for your post. I enjoy them.

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  20. I use a Blessing regularly when corresponding with people who I care for, "May you always have Enough", I say. Not far removed from from your own sentiments, dear Arti :)

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    1. Thank you Raj. May you have enough:)

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