Friday, February 29, 2008

Wonders of the world

We often get carried away by the effect of immediate experiences in our daily life. They seem to be so imposing that we forget the simple things that add a lot of value to our lives. Like when a speck of dust lodges itself in our eye, we forget everything and just focus all our energy in getting it out. But then it is a discomfort that needs to be corrected. We just can't sit around and wonder about it philosophically. We have to get it out for our comfort because it keeps reminding us continuously about its presence.

There are many days when simple instances drain out so much energy that we end up absolutely tired in the mind. The body slumps, we walk with a stoop and the whole world seems a let down. The whole body language changes to that of a loser. When such a feeling is experienced frequently, it could as well mean a life with great efforts.

Then there are days when we seem to get along fine with just about everything we come across. We notice the flowers on the road side tree which was there since two weeks but we failed to notice though we drive on the same route daily. We suddenly have all the time in the world to notice the laughter the scooterist shares with his pillion rider at the signal.

So if it is the state of mind that determines our quality of life, then why do we feel so miserable at times? The most beautiful things in life are always there. We are consumed by the immediate problems with so much intensity that we choose to look only at only the materialistic or the troublesome things that bother us.

The wonder of simple things"It is not easy to find happiness in ourselves, and it is not possible to find it elsewhere.
- Agnes Repplier "



This little story I received in the usual mail forwards hit so hard in the most simplest way:

Some high school students were required to list the Seven Wonders of the World. While gathering the lists, the teacher noted that one student, a quiet girl, hadn't turned in her paper yet. So she asked the girl if she was having trouble with her list. The quiet girl replied, "Yes, a little. I couldn't quite make up my mind because there were so many." The teacher said, "Well, tell us what you have, and maybe we can help."

The girl hesitated, then read, "I think the Seven Wonders of the World are:
1. to touch...2. to taste...3. to see...4. to hear... (She hesitated a little, and then added...)5. to feel...6. to laugh...7. and to love.

The room was so quiet; you could have heard a pin drop.

May this story serve as a gentle reminder to all of us that the things we overlook as simple and ordinary are often the most wonderful - and we don't have to travel anywhere special to experience them.

Enjoy your gifts!