My thoughts have been racing lately trying to figure out what is the best way to live. Of course, I haven't figured it out or I would be the best of all the saints and sages the world has ever seen but from my observations through 25 years of life and my travel across eastern civilization to the heart of western civilization, I have learnt a thing or two that I wish to share. Wish I could write a long parenthesis on this issue but I intent to make it short and keep myself from wondering.
What I could pull off now is to write about that one thing which in any way should not be a part of your life. My little knowledge and experience may not give me the rights to do so but I often find pleasure in debunking my own limits and reconsider my rights. After reading this blog, some might criticize me for advocating right or wrong, some will stay indifferent and some might appreciate it(shut up jimm..don’t overestimate yourself). I am comfortable with all of it since everyone has their own subjective world and my world is not better or fairer than yours. You’re right but I am not wrong either. That’s the essence of this blog.
Though I cannot say that I have travelled across the length and breadth of India geographically, but my eyes have seen and my heart has journeyed through the depth of wide variety of cultures, religion, tradition and people. From the half naked to the man eating tribes, from the struggling middle class to the pompous upper class, from the men who collects pennies to buy a morsel of rice to the men who does the same to buy a sniff of crack, I think I have seen it all. In other words I have seen two extremities of world blend together or part away further. Few lived myself and few experienced as an observer. During the course of my journey I had many complaints, disappointments, awe-inspiring moments, appreciation and frustrations as well. In many occasions I opposed the things I disliked and patronized the things I appreciated. However, whatever my reactions were then, now when I think about it I consider myself very fortunate to be able to move around places. Thanks to my Military friend, my father. The little I saw and experienced has enriched my thinking and has taught me to be more open to new things and new experiences. And all of it summed together has taught me one thing so vital that I cannot imagine living my life and anyone else living their lives without it. It’s like hammering a nuclear bomb every night under your bed and just waiting for it to explode. I will talk about it later.
That was inside the periphery of my country, the core of eastern civilization and now I am here at united states which is the heart of western civilization. The land of opportunities, country with a city like New York, the Land of Mc Donald’s, pizza hut, the habitat of Hollywood and the country which dropped nuclear bomb and killed thousands at the blink of an eye. This country itself has this uniqueness of its own. This country is as mighty as any country can ever get and also as vicious and dark as one can ever imagine. Once again here I see two extremities of the world blend together and at the same time fight for their survival. When I boarded my flight to come to US my mind was overwhelmed with the pictures, perceptions, thoughts and expectations of what this country and its people would be like. All I knew, saw and read about this country in books, magazines, television and internet appeared as a whirlpool inside. I was very excited and it was obvious for me to have my own feel good perception about this new place. Its more than a year now and I am still exploring this country with the people I meet everyday and friends that I make. I must say ,my prestructured perception about this country faired just 50% and the rest goes to the surprises and exceptions which I see every now and then. This country is not just what I expected it to be, its different; disappointing at occasions and awe-inspiring in many. It has its own blend of people; unique, ignorant, indifferent, aware, responsible etc. I never knew that there will be people who so devoutly follow a sect of Christians so orthodox and conservative like any other similar orthodox religion, currently existing. This state is majorly populated by such people, few very proud of it, few who wants you to convert and some who are totally indifferent. I have had a roommate myself who criticized this religion which his family followed and wanted to run away from it. He was a funny guy who cracked jokes on the stereotypes and drawbacks of his religion. And yet there are people who don’t judge this extreme as right or wrong but don’t want to participate themselves. I have also met people here in this town that are 80 years old and have never gone out of this state and visited other places in his very own country, leave alone stepping outside in some foreign land. They were not poor, not in jail, as free as a bird to go anywhere they wanted but they just chose not to go anywhere else. That broke my heart. When asked, they said why they need to go anywhere else when they have it here everything they want. That shattered my heart further into pieces. But the positive side was that they further lead the discussion into the people around the world and they wished best for all. The disappointment that punctured deep down into my bone were people who justified their point by saying that they are living in the best place in the world and they cared least about people in the rest of the world. I am with no words when I face people of such kind. But all I am cautious about is not to criticize and judge them but, if possible, ask them what made them think so. I chose not to judge them because I never know what I would do if I was exposed to the same circumstances and situations as they were. There is a possibility that I might do the same if I were them. In some way I believe its not their fault in all terms but a part also goes to the environment and the circumstances that shaped them. It’s not that people of such kind only exist in this place but its prevalent everywhere, even in India. I don’t know if my parents have the same opinion about other country at least, though they have travelled pretty much the major part of India. This is the point where the subjective world comes in and people have all the points to justify it right in their own terms.
That was just one example and all I want to say is that even though people, their opinions, and the world in some way looks twisted and all messed up, it’s wiser not to judge them because we are in their shoes when we do so. We get down to the same standard that we are complaining about. We become the stereotypes, the hypocrites who want these people to stop judging the world and adopt a broader outlook but judge them at the same time for their own shrewdness. I know some might argue that in such cases you cannot sit and quietly listen to such stupid arguments and let them go away with proving themselves right. The thing is that,any correction won’t work since such confident arguments yet totally stupid comes from lifetime of one headed thinking and if you are to change them then you have to erase their past and all they have in their minds. The best thing you can do is to ask them to travel or hand them a paid holiday ticket to someplace very different than they have ever seen.
In my opinion the best way to start living a meaningful life is to keep our minds open and perceptive to all kinds of experiences. If possible, then take a chance to live that experience practically and yet keep away from belonging to any of it. Sense of belonging is truly a virus and it’s the birth place of judgmental emotions and biased opinions. Adventure is more in mind and it gives room for big and courageous heart which is not scared to step out of its comfort zone and live life in all circumstances. Its like a traveler who travels across the world and yet calls none its home. The wide blue sky, the air, the land and the people all around the world is where he belongs. Culture, religion, race and color are in the ‘to be strictly avoided’ list. To add to it I would like to share one of the best facebook status I have seen in years which truly exemplifies the essence of my blog. “My hometown is nowhere, my friends are everywhere. I grew up with the knowledge that home is where the heart is and the family….
Mobility is my way of life. Some would wonder about roots, yet they are as deep and strong as the mighty oak. I sink them quickly, absorbing all an area offers and hopefully, giving enrichment in return. Travel has taught me to be open. Shaking hands with the universe, I find brotherhood in all men. Farewells are never easy. Yet, even in sorrow comes strength and ability to face tomorrow with anticipation….
If when we leave one place, I feel that half my world is left behind. I also know that the other half is waiting to be met. Friendships are formed in hours and kept for decades. I will never grow up with someone, but I will mature with many. Be it inevitable that paths part, there is constant hope that they will meet again. Love of people, respect and pride fill my being when Old Glory passes in review. When I stand to honor that flag,the flag of the world, I stand in honor of all people, and most especially, to the free spirited ones, the global citizens and the travelers”. I think it defines me pretty much and that’s where comes ‘that one vital thing’ I was talking about which you can’t live without. You can’t live your life without such openness and free attitude. If you are then you’re killing yourself every minute.
And yet again I am here to see America from the eyes of an American.
Hope I didn’t sing my own eulogy.
‘Travelling is poison to the bigoted, narrowminded and the opinionated’
Mark twain
