Absored by the waves
"An infinite ocean lies ahead of me. What am I in this small world? What will I become in this tiny period of existence called life? Will I be like any dust particle floating in the fathoms of our galaxies, or perhaps I would end up being a special dust particle for those few around me?"
Thoughts rushed into my mind as I stood pensive to the vast ocean before me. Nothing but salt water for miles around. The waves hitting the beaches, some calm, some powerful. "It is just nature existing as its usual self.", I reminded myself. Still my brain did not stop. Somehow questions started filling my mind, a dam of emotions rushing out. Things that have held little importance in my life suddenly felt significant. For a moment it felt like a TV with no connection; the static sound filled my space. And then I let it rush through me. For sometime I did not stop it. And in no time my mind became clear as a lake. Some answers have been found. While others are yet to be discovered. Nonetheless it became clear; that life goes on. And you go with it. Sooner or later the answers shall come to you. But you don't have to wait. You have to do what you have to do, keeping yourself as you and letting your actions have a decisive effect on this world.
Time almost stood still for me when all this happened in an instance and it only took one man to push me back to reality. An innocent seller, trying to persuade us to buy from his collection of bangles and necklaces. My view changed back to the people around me. Many oblivious to the fact and impact this simple place has had on me. As I looked ahead the enshrinement of Swami Vivekananda, where apparently, he found his true self, a small part of me told me that something is going to change soon.
So what was I doing and where was I? I was sitting with my parents looking ahead to the the meeting point of the three seas surrounding India: the Indian Ocean, the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal. I was in Kanyakumari. We had taken a short trip together after a long time. We were due to visit Thiruvananthapuram the next day. Being a trip together after a long time really gave me the good feels. Kanyakumari was serene and calm and Thiruvananthapuram was as beautiful as I have heard. A well planned city, once upon a time one of the cleanest in India too. Though the city trip really goes through a lot of historical sites alone, one cannot stop marvelling on the fine architecture and craftsmanship that had been used to construct the many palaces (one for each king that has ruled Travancore) and other small places. I cannot forget the grand Sree Padmanabhaswami Temple. Everything there is symbolic. The pillars, exactly 365 in number representing each day of the year (all are monoliths different from one another in design), the corridor having a very spacious and grand hall with many statues of the yesteryears, pillars when struck creating the seven notes of music (sapthaswaras) and in the main sanctum santorum, Lord Vishnu on the Anantha, with Shiva by his hand and Brahma on top symbolising Birth, Life and Death. It is indeed something else when you think about it. The amount of thought processes that the builders might have gone through to make this. I think a lot of people tend to forget how dedicated some people were to their profession and gave something good for generations to come. And for me definitly a memorable place to remember was the Kuthiramalika palace. Not only because of how well structured it is, but also due to the fact it housed one of the best musicians I admire, Swati Tirunal.
Just being still in any on these places, taking a deep breath, reminiscensing on the fascinating history that these places have gone through; all of this gives us an insight to ourselves. These places have seen more people, and many stand still without much issues, filled with the fingerprints of the past. They do not hold on to anything. Time gives them whatever it has, and it naturally accepts it. We can develop our minds to be like these historical sites. Letting our thoughts flow and taking in whatever given to us.
Our thoughts are the most powerful weapon we have. It makes us who we are. Either a hero or a villian. Not only of our life, but also in many others. Knowing yourself is the most valuable form of knowledge. Knowing oneself begins with an understanding of your thinking. Your mindset is made up of a collection of your thoughts. Because your thoughts and interpretations of situations immediately influence your beliefs and, eventually, your actions, your thoughts have immense ability to shape your life and the lives of others. You attract into your life whatever you are frequently thinking about, whether positive or negative. If you're always wondering why you can't seem to catch a break, when your bond will fall apart, or why you don't get as much recognition as your coworker, you're programming your mind (and others around you) to believe these things. Negative thoughts are minefields on the road to becoming your best self. Thankfully, the opposite is also true. You may construct a vision of future achievement on the walls of your mind if you constantly and consciously foster good thoughts and expectations. "How can I be positive when unpleasant things are a reality—they just crop up in everyday life?" some individuals wonder. Things go wrong, and they "simply show up" at times. However, it is our perspective of a circumstance that makes it negative. The way you think about a problem is what drags you down or lifts you up. The good news is that you have control over your thoughts. Unless you give it away, no one else has this power.
You are the conductor of your own thoughts. Your mind may either be your best friend or your worst foe. Expectational seeds of success or failure are planted in your mind by input from others, the media, and yourself. If you look for positive inputs, you'll have a better chance of producing positive outputs and replies.
As much as I enjoy to talk with people, I enjoy sitting alone and thinking about a lot of things. Well over-thinking is a problem many of us have and I have had it too. But controlling the thoughts doesn't mean you should avoid them or feel bad for having them in the first place. As I mentioned let it flow. Thoughts created have to move into something or somewhere. That is just how our brain works. Controlling it comes when you let it have some freedom of its own and letting it be itself like how you like to be yourself. Slowly but surely you will understand your mind, what all are wrong, and even how to rectify some of them. In no time you will be rejuvanated into the new you. A you, that is happy, content and fulfilled.
Few days later we were coming back home on the train,. I sat on the window seat listening to my playlist, thinking about the new ideas and thoughts I got (especially for this blog). Once you sit to think, many things become oblivious to us. Going on a journey really does chisel you into a different person with a slightly different perspective. Thoughts really are surprising, weird, scary but essential for us to develop. I cannot move ahead without remembering a beautiful quote about being us:
“When we strive to become better than we are, everything around us becomes better too.” — Paulo Coelho
And also one which reminds me of going to newer places, experiencing them and sharing them in my own little ways:
“There are three things you can do with your life: You can waste it, you can spend it, or you can invest it. The best use of your life is to invest it in something that will last longer than your time on Earth.” — Rick Warren
Travel along the paths you have build, We only have one life to live and it need'nt be spent on unwanted thoughts, but rather on exploring and sharing it with the world.
