Why do we love a city or town or village? Some might say Delhi has the best food, or Mumbai the best night life, or the incomparable classical music scene in Madurai, or the intellectual life of Kolkata.
Perhaps.
I say it is our experiences in those places that we digest and that nourish us - a particular café, where you used to hang out with friends. A dhaba where you shared parathas after college. A dam where you had your first cigarette, or your friend's balcony where you first boozed. The restaurant where you first proposed. The theater where you first held hands.
That shady street where you first wanted to buy drugs.
That hovel where you found out the children of prostitutes live their innocent lives, not yet aware of what their mother does to keep their stomachs full, and what the world calls her for it.
The railway station where you left it all behind forever.
The airport after which she never looked back even once on what and whom she left behind.
~~~
A spiritual teacher has said, our lives are not judged in years, but for how much we learnt and experienced and grew - how much we grow in compassion, in dealing with angry people, in being discerning, in fairness, and yes, in our capacity for joy and happiness.
Our lessons are all around us - what did you learn today?
'After all, tomorrow is another day', as Scarlett O'Hara said. Good night, people
Perhaps.
I say it is our experiences in those places that we digest and that nourish us - a particular café, where you used to hang out with friends. A dhaba where you shared parathas after college. A dam where you had your first cigarette, or your friend's balcony where you first boozed. The restaurant where you first proposed. The theater where you first held hands.
That shady street where you first wanted to buy drugs.
That hovel where you found out the children of prostitutes live their innocent lives, not yet aware of what their mother does to keep their stomachs full, and what the world calls her for it.
The railway station where you left it all behind forever.
The airport after which she never looked back even once on what and whom she left behind.
~~~
A spiritual teacher has said, our lives are not judged in years, but for how much we learnt and experienced and grew - how much we grow in compassion, in dealing with angry people, in being discerning, in fairness, and yes, in our capacity for joy and happiness.
Our lessons are all around us - what did you learn today?
'After all, tomorrow is another day', as Scarlett O'Hara said. Good night, people
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