Monsoon Decoded
That year the monsoon had set in late. Seeing the heavens lightening up, the much-awaited grey clouds slowly encroaching the horizon and the cool breeze blowing through the hot dusty lanes, it made everyone stop wherever they were for a moment, breathe in that exotic smell of monsoon and heave a sigh of relief after so long. Within seconds of the smile spreading across everyone’s face, it started drizzling that was gradually turning into a heavy downpour.
As the water drops from heaven slowly touched everything on earth and brought them back to life with its healing power, I found myself immobilized as I stood there at one of the busiest crossings of the city, awestruck at the change I was witnessing all around, driven single-handedly by the monsoon. The rain drenched me in mystical calm emotions, it was in an endeavor to establish that flickering calm and peace for life and out rut the turmoil in me, that made me start walking back home that day, instead of taking a cab as usual.
Taking small steps, letting the world whiz by, wanting to feel every tiny raindrop on me and sensing this pure form of peace, somehow brought along with it the much-needed introspection to reach a settlement with the haunting past. Yes, the walk was pending, the conversation with myself was due, and right then was a perfect time. Having crossed the signal and walking on the footpath, I found myself near a huge field. It was surrounded by trees, and in that guarded haven I could see 12-15 small boys, running around with a football, playing away to glory as the rain played a happy accomplice. The sheer joy that was exuded from that small gathering of boys, the passion that was evident as they all chased after the ball, the ignorance and boyish mischief with which the mud splattered all over them and the exuberant celebration as one team made a goal, not to forget is what followed – after the impromptu dance with the t-shirts in their hand and mud all over, the game resumed as the look of determination visibly hardened on the face of the opponent team.
All of these added up to a very common scene, but the difference that day was the conversation that took place between the healing monsoon rain and perturbed human mind, keeping in sight the common most occurrences of everyday life. It led to a revelation of life’s known but often-forgotten rules. Goals and aims of every human being have. Chasing them since the day we open our eyes is what every newborn is conditioned into. But what we are not told, when we are told “Always chase your dreams and goals”, is that chasing it does not always amount to accomplishing it. Just like the football being rolled around in the ground from one to another, with every one of them hoping for a goal, in the process of chasing it – ending up getting covered with mud, somebody through all that managing to kick the ball across and into the goal post, and the others still not giving up and continuing the game with more enthusiasm than before – is the actual picture of life and chasing goals. No matter how many people are vying for the same goal, no matter how much mud life covers you with, no matter how much you have to run around to chase what you want, also if you do not make the goal and somebody else does – getting back into the game and continuing with the chase with more passion and determination is what is important and that is how life goes on.
Feeling a little less hopeless, as the rain relentlessly fell on the city, it seemed to slowly wash away the mud of defeat and insecurity from my mind too as I got up from the ground and started walking again, with a newfound warrior spirit twinkling in my eyes. Not knowing for a second where am I headed towards surprisingly did not pose as a problem to the usually always clued-in me, the amiable companion in the form of rain made me feel like I no longer wanted to know what my destination was as long as I enjoyed the walk, the journey.
The incessant rain was slowly abating as I reached the next traffic signal. All that could be seen in the rain where the signal lights – red, yellow, green. It is by following these lights of instruction that order is maintained in the otherwise chaotic city, this known but less-dwelled on fact compelled me to wonder what do our lives also have such signal lights that help in sustaining the order of life’s ways? Do we mess it up because most of the times we are unable or unwilling to see, comprehend and act according to those signals? Right when these questions were plaguing my mind, in search of the answer I looked up, towards the creator of this complex-yet-exquisite system of life. Closing my eyes and feeling the rain pour its heart out on me, I somehow felt at peace with myself, could connect to that part of my soul I had assumed as lost and was clearly able to see the roads of my life and the signal lights of reason on each of its crossing. It is mostly because of our own selves that our vision gets blurred, clouding the reasonable signals, following which would ensure a clean drive of life.
With my head somewhat cleared up, I decided to board the bus that had just stopped at the signal, but then again the crowd around made it impossible to make my way in it, so I let it go. A little disappointed I stood there watching the traffic move on. Half an hour later another comparatively empty bus arrived; I got up in it without any trouble and even found myself a window-seat. Sitting there, seeing the city go past the window as it drizzled, I grasped that opportunities will keep on popping up throughout life. Not being able to grab one does not mean the end of the earth, rather waiting patiently and grabbing the right one is more worthwhile. So was my journey back home, as I thanked my lucky stars for not having fought my way for the previous bus.
From the moment it had started raining till when I got off the bus in front of my home, the entire time seemed to have had a cleansing effect on me, as the rain gave meaning to the most ordinary occurrences of everyday life and washed away the grievances I had against my life, only because I seemed to understand the workings of life a little better. Just before entering my doorstep, I saw a little baby girl sitting in front of a puddle, sailing her paper boat in it. She tried her best to keep the boat balanced for it to sail, and sail it did with the breeze caught in its paper-mast. She looked up at me with a triumphant smile on her as if saying “Balance your life and let the cosmos do the rest”, we both then looked on as the paper boat balanced its way through the water, and let the wind sail it away gloriously.
Next time it rains, ditch the uber and take a walk.
Shubhayan Giri
+91-9051602204
shubhayangiri@gmail.com
