Musings of a Wanderer

“I’ve always believed in savouring the moments. In the end, they are the only things we’ll have.” – Anna Godbersen

“Some people live a lifetime in a minute”, chuckled Colonel Frank Slade(Al Pacino) with confused and embarrassed Charlie(Chris O’Donnell) looking on when Miss Donna(Gabrielle Anwar) tries to steer clear of the duo. Colonel Slade was trying to strike a conversation with Donna, sitting alone at a table, waiting for her beau. To avoid the two strangers, she tells them that her boyfriend will be here any minute. Hearing Colonel Slade’s spontaneous philosophical divulgence, symbolically sermonising to ‘live every moment of life’, she hesitantly agrees to share her table with them. The scene is from the famous movie ‘Scent of A Woman’, and deservingly Al Pacino was awarded Oscar for his act as a blind colonel.

Most of us endeavour to find those moments in which we actually ‘live’ our lives and cherish them throughout our existence. We live in a fast-paced world where, it seems, that survival depends on breakneck speed and taking time out to enjoy the little wonders around us is never in our ‘to-do’ list or is lower in priority of that list. Most of the times, we postpone our little simple looking enjoyments to tomorrow or next week, with which we rarely catch up. If we look closely, we will realise that such moments are far and few and these little moments otherwise look so insignificant in the worldly sense. Robert Brault, the famous American author, has rightly said, “Enjoy the little things in life, for one day you may look back and realise they were the big things”. We all have our moments which we always cherish, and occasionally, our memory plays them back in times of solitude and moments of peace. They are kind of our little secrets which we share only with ourselves. First meeting with the love of your life, a wink, a smile, the redolence of beloved on a romantic date, a breezing touch, a whiff of floral aroma from a flowers laden garden, a culinary delight, a travel moment, a chance encounter with some stranger-the list is endless.

Sunrise and sunset are such moments, which are nature’s most spectacular gifts to humankind. We generally take these moments for granted and rarely take out time to savour them in peace. Be on a rooftop, hilltop or even a balcony or window of your house at dawn, peacefully watching the horizon. The sky is changing its shades and colours with every passing moment- from grey to hues of pink and then slowly to lighter shades of orange, and finally, when the sun slowly start appearing from the skyline, it is a true wonder of nature. Within few moments, the orange ball is over the horizon and on to its daily journey. The early mornings is a time to savour in complete solitude. Notice the little things that accompany the sunrise-the chirping of birds, a flock flying in perfect unison on a background of clear blue skies, a rooster crowing in a far off hamlet trying to awaken the inhabitants. The vegetation looks fresh with green leaves covered in tiny bright dewdrops, which are slowly dripping, and the petrichor so produced is intoxicatingly engulfing you with nostalgia. The fragrance brings back the memories of the first rains of monsoons after a dreary dead summer. The flowers are slowly opening up like an indolent little child stretching lazily and trying to wake up from a peaceful, dream-filled slumber. The sunrise lasts for not more than a few moments, but the impact can be felt throughout the day if you have ‘lived it’ —you will be saturated with energy and optimism. You will be more active, productive and efficient in your workplace, and you will send out positive vibes all around you. And you know, the best part is, if you miss it today, do not worry, it will be repeated in the same manner tomorrow. The cycle teaches us a lesson in ‘hope’– an opportunity may be missed today, another one will knock on the door tomorrow.

At sunset, everything goes in reverse order. With every passing moment, the heat of the fiery orange ball slowly cools down, bringing tranquillity and calmness into the realm. As the sun approaches the horizon, the much-awaited ‘golden hour’ of dusk starts to unravel its magic. The skies slowly turn into bright shades of orange and pink, with every fleeting moment displaying varied hues. The occasional streak of clouds in the western skies flirt with the hues of the ‘golden hour’ and produce a spellbinding dance, full of life and colours, enacted by souls drenched in love. The sun finally disappears behind the horizon, slowly turning firmament into numerous shades of grey and finally into the darkness of the night.

Having witnessed some of the most memorable sunsets sitting atop a hill, away from the crowds, immersed in the moment, mindful of my existence, is, I think, some of the most memorable moments I have lived. One commonly notices a farmer returning home with his bullock after the day’s hard work, eagerly looking forward to the comforts of his abode and the warmth of his family. Flowers slowly closing down for the night, the green leaves, covered with dust and dull with exposure to the heat of bright sunlight, looking forward to the cool clime of the night, waiting eagerly for the dew, like a long lost lover waiting for the beloved. Late into the night, with the dropping mercury, the dewdrops silently appear on the leaves and entangle them in a tight, lover’s embrace to freshen up their existence and to give a new life to their being. Very next morning, enacting the severance of lovers, the dew, hesitantly, drips down from leaves and wait for the evening to reunite, and the beautiful cycle goes on. The birds, flying back to their roost, in the same formation in which they left at the sunrise. The hamlets slowly come alive with smoke lazily emanating out of kitchen chimneys and forming ever-changing figurines, trying to touch the greying skies. One can hear the occasional shout of a worried mother, reminding her children to return home from the game they are playing, oblivious of the worldly rush around them. The life slowly come to a standstill as the twilight transition to darkness. Deep into the night, an opera spiced with nocturnal chorus plays out for the willing audience – the chirp of a lonely cricket; the occasional rustle of snoozing leaves, nudged by teasing breeze: croaking of a frog, seeking a mating partner; muffled coo of a half-asleep bird and the squeak of a hungry rodent.

So, make an endeavour to savour the little wonders of nature – watch the sunrise and sunset and enjoy the quiet of dark nights. Silently immerse yourself in the scenery and inhale the fresh air when you do so. Close your eyes and hear the sounds, smell the fragrances and see the beautiful shades of colours of nature changing every moment. Be mindful of every moment you spend being a spectator of the amazing spectacle. In the tough times, facing dejection, try to remind yourself of the moments you spent living those beautiful sunrises and sunsets. The memories will immediately play back, and you will feel the surge of energy, happiness and positivity and trust me, you will be able to face the challenges with a smile.