I was so fascinated that I wanted to stay there and admire it, but my mom dragged me along as we were already late....
INTROSPECTION
A few days ago, I went to market with my mother to do grocery shopping. On the way, I was captivated by a very beautiful and well-designed garden outside a house. There were green plants with no over or undergrowth, different coloured flowers blooming from every corner, a proper and clean sitting area, and a small but strong wooden fence that added to the whole theme. I was so fascinated that I wanted to stay there and admire it, but my mom dragged me along as we were already late.
On the way back, with bags full of groceries in our hands, we took another route. Walking along, I saw a gigantic tree full of black jaamun (Indian blackberry). The road had almost turned purple because of the fruit falling off the branches and being squished. A big white house was next to the tree, but I could barely make it out behind the thorny vines that wholly covered the house’s boundary walls and its gate. There were bushes outside the house that were spread out on a huge area nearly as big as the garden I saw earlier.
Judging by the look of this house, the people living here seemed to be lazy and disorganised. They were not using that piece of land wisely. I thought how I could have made it better looking.
I pointed this out to my mother who shared something important with me: all human beings are connected to the earth. What matters is how we choose to grow. While some maintain themselves properly, others are disorderly.
You know how fertile soil needs to be plowed with spades? How beautiful plants need to let go off dead leaves; weeds need to be removed; and the blooming flowers need to be watered? Well, it’s the same with human minds: growth comes with balance – doing the right thing, at the right time, at the right place.
It comes with boundaries, too. You get to decide who enters your life and who gets to stay. Because if you don’t set these boundaries and allow the weeds to grow and exhaust you, then you will not be in a happy place, both physically and mentally.
It’s no secret that we, as humans, love to be with people who are welcoming and full of energy. Think of your company as a garden; will you favour a littered garden over a lush, well-kept one? I think not. We don’t like to be with people who judge and criticise people unnecessarily.
With persistent efforts, beneficial habits are developed over time. You sow the seed, water it every day, and then hope for the best, not doubting its growth. Pick one habit and stick to it no matter how hard it is. Don’t be tempted to take shortcuts to reach your goal because that it is not way to do it.
Remember that holding on to your roots is important at this stage, as it will keep you focused.
Also, good company helps. We have all heard the tale of the big old tree that died because of the discouraging comments the villagers yelled at it. We always depend on society for our needs and gain strength from the people and things around us. And of course, growth comes with acceptance – accepting yourself the way you are, the way you have been created. So, prioritise investing in yourself to be the person you always wanted to be.
