Every cloud has a..
By Rajesh Setty on Mon 04 Jan 2010, 12:10 AM – 14 Comments
Photo Courtesy: Satguru on Flickr
I am sure you completed the sentence and read it as:
Every cloud has a silver lining.
That’s how I would do it.
But I had an “Aha Moment” earlier this month. January 2nd was my 40th birthday. I had mixed feelings about it – mainly because Kavitha and Sumukh were away in India. It didn’t seem like the day was complete without them. The day was salvaged a bit because of a few close friends and I am thankful for them.
So, here is the story of the “aha-moment.”
On my Facebook page, my friend Karthik Sundaram sent his wishes and said.
Rajesh: Welcome to the big four o. Have a wonderful day and year ahead.
With the mood I was in, this was my response:
Thanks Karthik. I tried to tell GOD to push that out a bit but he wouldn’t listen
So, I can see the cloud of 40, I just have to find the silver lining
So, I can see the cloud of 40, I just have to find the silver lining So far so good but the Aha-Moment came when my friend Kathy McManis Holzapfel (aka Cate Noble) added to the conversation and said:
God said to tell you she always listens
Happy birthday, my friend. Remember: 50 is the new 30, so at 40 you’re practically a teenager.
God bless Kathy. Those were kind words and most importantly, I needed to hear them right there and then.
Suddenly, “every cloud has a silver lining” seemed like trapped in a box. Once in the box, there was no way for me to be thinking outside of it.
In other words, every cloud may have a golden lining is totally “out of the box” and I could not see it.
Thanks Kathy for that wake up call!
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14 Comments so far, Add Yours
Carolyn on January 4th, 2010
I like your site. It’s informative, upbeat and positive. Plus, you’re not afraid to express your religious beliefs. Thank you.
Rajesh Setty on January 4th, 2010
Mike, thanks for that reassuring message. Means a lot to me.
Have a fantastic 2010.
Best,
Rajesh
Rajesh Setty on January 4th, 2010
Carolyn, thanks for the message. Have a fantastic 2010.
Best,
Rajesh
Bill Sherman on January 4th, 2010
Rajesh,
Each day and every single breath presents a new opportunity. You have been an inspiration to so many throughout your life.
I’m genuinely blessed that you’ve touched my life so deeply and and inspired me.
You are a gold lining yourself.
Rajesh Setty on January 4th, 2010
Thanks for the super kind words here Bill.
You know that the feeling is mutual. THANKS for everything.
Best,
Rajesh
Kathy Holzapfel on January 4th, 2010
I’m pleased to have tossed an “aha!” back at you. Your writings have certainly provided plenty to me! Cheers for the new decade, Rajesh. I’m feeling ecstatic – for no particular reason – about what’s to come. Sweet, eh?
Rajesh Setty on January 4th, 2010
@Kathy, Yes, it was an “aha!” moment that I totally needed at that very moment. It was like a wake-up call.
As you know, generally I am optimistic to a fault. By God’s grace I can only see possibilities everywhere I look. However, sometimes (and 2nd was one such day) where I had a “possibility block” (like a writer’s block) and you cleared it for me nicely.
THANKS again.
And, you were “Dead Right” 
on what you said.
Best,
Rajesh
Dr.Mani on January 4th, 2010
Happy birthday, Rajesh.
Lovely post, thanks Kathy for that insight.
There’s a reason (you detailed it in the first part of your post) I believe that beyond a certain point (I draw the line at age thirty) folks who remember (and greet you) on your birthday aren’t really your ‘friends’ – but those who relish the thought that you’re growing older (As if they aren’t, huh?!)… and want to keep you from succeeding at trying to forget! 
Rajesh Setty on January 4th, 2010
Dr. Mani,
Thank you for your kind comments and good wishes.
Talk to you soon and you have a fantastic 2010.
Best,
Rajesh
Steven Diamond on January 5th, 2010
Kathy is right. You are not your age. The meat suit you are wearing might be 40 (I’m 41) but you are still the person you were the day you were born.
It’s all a matter of perspective Rajesh. Life really does get better with age. Even if the knees and back hurt a little more, it’s truly worth the trip. Wishing you all the best in the 40th year of learning and living and all the wisdom still yet to be known.
Steven
Rajesh Setty on January 5th, 2010
@Steven, totally agree with you.
Kathy is “Dead Right” ( That’s the name of her novel BTW ) on this and it was refreshing and timely for me.
Thanks for the wishes and hope to connect with you on phone sometime.
Best,
Rajesh
Priya on January 5th, 2010
Belated birthday wishes Rajesh!
And that was a really sweet message from Kathy..truly ‘out of the box’!!
I’m glad to have found this space…truly insightful and inspirational!!
Rajesh Setty on January 5th, 2010
Priya, thank you so much for the birthday wishes and for the kind words in the comments.
Yes, Kathy is super sharp and amazingly thoughtful. I will be grateful to her for a long time for that comment.
Best,
Rajesh
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Mike Ramm on January 4th, 2010
Happy birthday, Raj! Don’t worry about the clouds – there always be a wind to blow them away. I am 42 and two years ago I felt really miserable because I made a significant change in my life and I didn’t know where to go and what to do. I still don’t know it now but I have a stronger faith and I believe that God is watching over me. The only thing we have to do is to keep wandering and looking for ourselves. And God has prepared great gifts for us!