Tuesday, April 16

A Journey And A Revelation



Image Source : here

The fiery red ball had rolled back to its assigned slot sharp at the strike of dawn. The unerring pattern of the nature was slowly being unfurled. The exhilarated birds, cluttering their ever vivacious wings, had already propelled out from their nests. A mesmerizing shade of crimson had been sprayed unevenly on the nature’s canvas signaling the fervour of a new start . It was time to pull myself up from the cozy comforts of my quilt and head to work, for not an element of nature would defy that vividly sketched out schedule of this world – a schedule that commenced with the crack of dawn and ended with the fall of dusk.

But why oh why, didn't the dawn ever sleep in? Why oh why didn't the bird ever feign sickness?

For the consequences of a speck of laziness creeping into the well polished sheen of disciplined nature would be drastic. The same holds true for our lives too. A day that rolled by sans the assurance of that one penny would be akin to a day simply not lived at all. Or, is it so?

In search of sanity, seeking solace from the chaos, I once decided to paint my walls blue. The hue would ultimately pacify my distraught mind, I believed so direly. As an extension to this mire of thought, I decorated my cabin with the prettiest of articles – a frilled purple glinted photo frame encasing my dearest family, vibrant files, an artistically carved wooden deck on the side wall and a lot more that fail to resurface from the neglected recess of my memory right now. Slowly as days rolled by, my visual field failed to register the presence of those much loved accessories. No, i hadn't turned blind at a spiteful snap of fate, but my mind had indeed turned blind to those perky additions crafted by me, solely aiming a rescue from my redundancy. Before long, proving my worst fears right, the whole world started morphing into one huge monochromatic grey wall encircling me, restricting my exit forever.

Life continued in misery, until that bright sunny morning when the weather was at its allure best and the shimmering clouds seemed to float fast as if in a hurry to cross timezones. Tired of my hibernation and inspired by the swell of energy around me, I decided to break down the huge repulsive grey wall forever that particular day - All by myself. Blowing away the powdery past that settled on my skin, and along with it my worries and woes, I set out on a journey, a long pending trip to a far destination, alone.



With a sagging backpack slung over my shoulders, spiked soles adorning my feet, a denim blazer wrapping me with comfort and dreamy eyes twinkling with excitement, i knew I couldn’t wait a second longer once the decision had been made.

 Trudging the road, I savoured places I had never seen before; Boarding trains, I explored spaces I had not a minute clue about. The wind that blew against my face was succulent at few places and at other places it surprised me with its tantalizing scent, probably the scent of a blossoming garden it had emanated from. I roved in search of those places and discovered fruits that tasted exotic and flowers that were outwordly. The zest of the hail storm that shook me wild never saw me wavering from my goal. Instead I sailed with it,on its wings, to the unknown, unexplored places it hauled me to on its way.

Resting under the pine trees, mad with happiness, I hummed loud my favorite tune against a soft rumble of the receding thunder. Dangling my legs from the formidable velvety rocks, I delved into the mysteries of the lusciously vast ocean sprawled ahead of me. Trekking the steepest, tortuous rocky mounds, I shed my worst fears one by one. Embracing cultures and observing beliefs, i realised that variety is indeed the spice of this world. Days saw me rejoicing with complete strangers who with utmost compassion fed me when i was utterly hungry and sang songs with me in between those scrumptious meals. Cracking jokes with them i laughed out loud, uninhibited for once, uncorking the bottled up frustrations which frizzled out with each hearty laughter, ceasing to exist thereafter. Sleeping under the milky white blanket of a full moon, locked in night's embrace, admiring the sparkling necklace knit by stars, I savoured few of the best days of my life - days which taught me that it was indeed the journey that mattered and not the destination.

Strolling back to my mansion a few months later, i was spellbound by the sight of those invigorating deep blue walls looming ahead of me in all its pristine beauty, the beauty which i feared was lost forever somewhere beneath the ugly grey tentacles of the surmounting doom. The tentacles never bothered me from then on. For I had discovered the perfect antidote for drabness - a stroll, a ride, a hike, a trip - a journey in any of its varied enriched form.
                                                        ~~~~~


P.S : This is partly fictional, partly the creation of a reverie. But i do believe in the therapeutic effect of a journey - True to what i had said in the post, even a walk or a short ride serves as the perfect stressbuster for me.

54 comments:

  1. When life gets a little too real, and a complete break from routine is not an option, just put on yourwalking shoes and take off. For hours or minutes, whatever. Works every time.

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    1. Yes, that definitely was the whole point of the post!Thanks for agreeing:)

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  2. I guess we all need to indulge and savor the beauty of nature. Routines are monotonous and a break rejuvenates. Decorating in hues of blue must be quite chick.

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    1. Actually i read somewhere that the colour blue has a soothing effect on your mind and that was why i included it in the story. And yes, it can be quite pretty as well. My room has light blue walls:)

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  3. You made your point very nicely. Variety is indeed the spice of this world. Traveling to unknown places is one of the most effective ways to come out of the grey wall. I personally love to travel alone, an effective way to self-exploration.

    And your words are amazing :)

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    1. You are lucky in that regard. I am yet to travel far and wide. But definitely one day in the future.

      Thank you for the words. Brought a smile :)

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  4. Very well written and I believe it, when you have summed up so beautifully that journey is all that matters. Once a destination is reached we embark on a new journey.
    Surely a walk, a trip, a holiday serves the purpose of relieving the stress and renewing our vigour. :)

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    1. Truly said kislaya! Glad to see you sharing my views:)

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  5. Hi Maliny...
    I don't find your profession or wait for any PG entrance exam the perfect excuse for not travelling... Mark Twain had said “Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines, sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.”
    So decision is yours :-)
    Cheers!

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    1. Cheers for the quote! That is one of my favourite ones too:)

      Profession is definitely a reason and so is the pg entrance. Everybody aims for a speciality these days. Then why not just make it an extension of the course rather than conducting yet another exam to get into one - and an extremely tough one at that too ! It is already a long journey anyway, the six years leading upto mbbs. I have set aside my travel dreams for the time being:) Maybe a short trip or two or even more now, why not, but the longer ones will have to wait.

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    2. Now was that fb talk? Apologies:) Many thanks for the encouragement Anunoy. I will certainly keep that quote in mind:)

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  6. just a lil break from the weary life..
    and we are all Brand New again :)

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  7. Maliny, now that's a very beautiful post. I can visulaise in the midst of nature, care free and singing sweetly in consonance with birds of all species.

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    1. Thank you so much Usha ma'm:) It is absolute bliss, even the thought of such a beautiful experience!

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  8. Hi Maliny,
    I loved the vibrant photograph and I can also relate to what you have tried to say out here. For me when thoughts get muddled, sleep is riddled with nightmares or a very busy day is looming ahead, I take off for my early morning jog where the chirping of the birds, the cool breeze in my face and the slow awakening of the world seems to make life a better place.

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    1. Many thanks Mehroo for sharing that here. I came over to your blog yesterday and absolutely loved the collage of pictures on your header! I will be over again to read the posts in detail :)

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  9. Lovely style of writing. Very musical in effect.

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  10. To take refuge in Nature is the only way to get rid of the monotony of life. Like your unique, mesmerizing style. Morning ambiance is well portrayed in the beginning of the post.

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    1. Very true sir. Many thanks for the appreciation :)

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  11. A journey is always beneficial ... it rids your mind of unwanted stress and worries ... the new surrounding and the warm welcoming of nature does a world of good :D

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  12. Maliny what a wonderful post. I was lost in your travel like a dream . Refreshed now.

    Thanks for sharing .

    Travel India

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    1. I am left all beaming now with your words. Thanks a ton for the words and for the constant visit:)

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  13. Any break from routine is a short/ long journey is invigorating indeed, Maliny:)Very beautifully expressed

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    1. I agree Sir. Its not about the exent that you travel that matters, but how a trip, however small that be, leaves you refreshed and revived:)

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  14. A refreshing post Maliny, riveting... a brake from routine indeed helps in a fresh start, Break is a state of mind, long or short, doesn't matter as long as it serves the purpose. Sometimes a change in wall colors gives the much needed break from monotony, I do like the blue hues and my walls are also blue :)
    Wishing best :) :)

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    1. Hey Ankita, thank you so very much for that refreshing comment! Good to see you dropping by :)

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  15. Traveling just for the sake of breaking the monotony & enjoying the journey is certainly a good antidote for stress!As you said-it is the journey that counts.

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  16. So refreshing and intriguing post, infact we really need a break from this monotonous life so as bring out the real you in you, well said and well written.

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    1. Hey thanks Menaka. First time here right?:)

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  17. After all , what is it ? Nothing but the reflection of our state of mind on the world around .... While I was going through the beautiful poetic narration .. I could summarize the strength of our state of mind and that was the conclusion too. when we come back to the same place which scares us the most with a free mindset, we discover beauty in that very place !!
    Not willing to contradict Menaka but the fact is we do not need a break and nothing is monotonous .. its our mindset... which has to realize every day is a fresh day.. gone is gone ... welcome the new dusk and the new dawn.. enjoy the concrete and also the lawn...be the king and the pawn..realize u r blessed that u can sense the beauty all around ... a beautiful mind granted to u .. u can think and mould things in your favour !!

    Just got carried away reading your creation !!!

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    1. Its Maliny :) Its true what you have said. But then at times we do get bogged down by dreariness that no amount of contemplation can pull us back in. There is nothing wrong in taking a break with an intention to recharge ourselves. Rather it catapults the energy level to a much higher degree.

      I was happy to see you getting carried away! Thank you so much for the words:)

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  18. Maliny exhilarating is the word for this post. With such vivid description and vibrance of mood and energy I flew with you to the varied destinations that you happened to visit in your reverie. There is a paradox in here. While the sages say look within yourself to find eternal peace , too much of business with self can be self destructive as well. We have to break the bounds created by our own mundane rut and move out mix with people and lost in the lap of Nature to find ourselves back which we don't do often or forget while fixing our priorities. So, thanks for reminding me. Tagore in one of his songs has said that we lose ourselves time and again to find us back in renewed form. So true. You have tremendous word power. Keep at it girl. Did you know the colour blue is symbolic of infinity. So the walls that you have painted blue may engulf infinite vision, just look for it...

    Geetashree
    (Panaecea)

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    1. Geeta ma'm, that would be the most heartfelt appreciation i would ever have received. Coming from a prolific writer of your stature, your words took me to a stroll in paradise! I am deeply moved by your words and thank you so much for your valuable inputs regarding the post. I am in search of infinite vision and something in the air tells me that i am not lost:)

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  19. Painting a picture with words is a talent you are blessed with. I am still one of the few who still wants the destination but not the journey. Your post made me think twice though. Thanks

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    1. The destination does matter when i am looking forward to a planned trip. But not when i am desolate and grumpy and then all i need is the wind against my face and the sun to shine down on me. Even a ten minute ride in an auto or public transport ( a less crowded one ofcourse) through an empty street, surprisingly, makes me cheerful! But then everybody has their soft spots i guess. I am glad that mine makes me happier.

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  20. That was one beautiful dreamy narration.

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  21. Wonderful Narration ! Had a nice read :)

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  22. Maliny, I think I haven't read a more beautiful post in a long long time. Anything I might say further will only belittle the beauty of your writing because I fall short of words to describe it. :)

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    1. That could be one of the precious comments i have ever received Akshay. Thank you tons! :)

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  23. Lovely imagery, Maliny.
    Taking a little time out to go on a little trip even if it is a short walk can do you a world of good, especially when you're stressed out.

    Here's wishing you many lovely jaunts like the ones you mention here. :)

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  24. That was very lyrical, Maliny. The contrast between the harmony of nature and the tedium of life is outstanding.

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  25. Very true Maliny, we sometimes get a clearer perspective when we put ourselves outside the picture...You do have a way with words, magically weaving them around to create a vivid imagery... will surely get back and read all you previous posts that I have missed so far...

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    1. You have been away for a while. Weren't you Reshma ? Thank you so much for this visit and for the words . Glad :)

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  26. Very well written. Life has many things stored, so also the nature. Enjoyed...

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