Are there things you try to practice daily to live a more sustainable lifestyle?
The narrative explores the theme of sustainable living through a character’s introspective moments in nature. Seeking solace by a tranquil lake, he reflects on his troubled marriage. His thoughts dwell on his spouse’s irrational behaviour and their social isolation. As he observes wildlife, particularly a Heron, he experiences a calming and mindful escape from his mental turmoil. The story underscores the importance of mutual understanding. It emphasizes balanced adjustments in relationships. It warns against one-sided compromises that can lead to emotional and social degradation. Ultimately, open-mindedness and adaptability is essential for personal dignity and harmonious living.
Table of contents
Key Takeaways
- The narrative emphasises sustainable living through a character’s reflections on nature and relationships.
- The protagonist finds solace by a lake, observing wildlife and contemplating his troubled marriage.
- Harmonious adjustments in relationships are essential for sustainable living; unilateral compromises can harm personal dignity.
- Mutual understanding and acceptance are vital for peaceful coexistence and harmonious living.
- The article offers actionable insights for improving relationships while maintaining self-respect.
Cosy tranquillity
Sitting under a tree on the bank of a natural water body, he was staring at the water. The cool easterly was soothing in the humid weather. Cosy tranquillity and a mild breeze were soothing enjoyable for a solitary person like him.
(1) The wetland
Pond Heron and a few local birds inhabited the wetland. During winters, it still turned into a bird’s paradise with varieties of migratory birds and their calls. Occasional calls of a peacock at some distance broke the silence. These sounds gave the realisation of calm solitude. With this, the place is worth revisiting. Natural places of like nature allow one to enjoy the company of the inner self in a serene atmosphere.
(2) Pond heron
A pond Heron was looking at the water, standing on one foot. It appeared like a meditative anchorite wrapped in a white shroud. Suddenly, it darted, and with deadly accuracy, dipped its long acicular beak in the water. Moments later, a wriggling fish was in its beak.
The bird gulped its food and a moment later, flapped its wings and lifted itself into the air. The Heron gracefully flew and perched on a dry branch of a tree overhanging the water body. The natural drama of life in an open-air theatre is admirably rewarding.
(3) The sky
Stray patches of casually drifting clouds created eye-catching nephographs in the sky. Watching the constantly changing pareidolia of clouds was enthralling.
(4) Hide and seek
The sun and clouds were playing hide-and-seek. A big patch of cloud, rimmed with blazing tangerine sunlight momentarily covered the sun. Emanating sunrays gave it the appearance of a radiating mass. After a while, the patch gradually drifted, and the sun shone brightly.
(5) Natural drama
Sitting idly on a boulder, he kept watching the pantomime for a long time. His stormy mind had considerably calmed down. The commotion had significantly faded out, and he was in a position to focus on cogitation.
Sustainable living and behaviour
He was in a perturbed mental condition because of the unreasonable behaviour of some. The impractical, haughty, and imposing behaviour discomforts him. It causes mental upset. The effect is strong when shown by close persons. They do it either to prove their point or hegemony.
(1) Magical healer
A gliding Heron across the lake diverted his attention. Like a wailing baby who abruptly stops weeping when sees an object of amusement, his ailing mind instantly cooled. Nature is such a magical healer. She pacifies and soothes the aching soul, allowing space for reflection on the situation. He felt relieved; quietly looking up at the sky, he thanked the Almighty with brimmed eyes and a choked throat.
(2) Two different individual
He lived with his spouse in their own house. Like other couples, both were two different individuals. Terming them cantankerous wouldn’t be proper, but commotion was common between the two. It was difficult to decide who was at fault. Dispassionate thinking reveals that he was not always blameless.
(3) The problem
His spouse was ailing with a mental problem. She had become irascible and often yelled at him on frivolous issues. Her compulsive obsession was the problem. She wanted others to behave appropriately. People stopped visiting their house. Started as a minor problem, it aggravated with time. Doctors and experts consulted. Later, they unanimously said that it was her will issue. No one except her husband would listen to her irrational canard. It was a precarious condition that percolated down and became a part of the psyche.
That day, the chorus of unmindful imposition of will agitated him. To calm his mind and seek solace, he went near the water body.
Harmonious adjustments for sustainable living
Adjustment is an essential part of life. No two individuals are the same. Their behaviour and the manner of viewing a thing vary greatly. For the smooth running of life, calibration and adjustments are necessary. For a smooth running of a cart, every wheel and piece of machinery should work in harmony. Any dysfunctional part derails the cart. It is the way to have sustainable living.
(1) Mutual understanding
Mutual understanding and accommodation for others are essential for a peaceful life. The feeling of “me only” is derogatory and acts as a poison which harms individuality and ultimately the individual.
(2) Impediments in sustainable living: Sufferings
Pain and suffering are intrinsic. It has a cause. As Buddha says, everything has a cause. Removal of the cause removes the suffering. Sometimes it is easier said than done. People often do not like opposition. They force others to dance to their tune. Nowadays, the craving for saving relationships is trending. Words like adjustments, amicability, and mutual understanding are frequently used. The thrust is rightly on saving relationships. Nonetheless, for a congenial relationship, allowing personal space to everyone is necessary. Though, in daily life, juxtaposition is seen.
(3) Relationships and unilateral adjustment
As has been discussed, unilateral adjustmet doesn’t work. In the illustration cited above, the will issue was the main impediment. In this situation, conciliation is hard, if not impossible. The behaviour of the spouse is guided by the irrational mindset which was uncontrollable.
(4) Shifting goalposts syndrome
It is commonly observed that over-adjustment creates a sense of entitlement. The feeling of “a little more” often develops in the person wanting adjustments. It often ends up in sadistic pleasure where the dominating person inches further, demanding more adjustment. It is “Shifting Goalpost Syndrome”. The condition is not congruent with sustainable living. The helpless sufferer surrenders to the situation after shredding all will, desires, hobbies, interests, and everything that forms a personality and wails silently. (Moving the goalpost)
Unhealthy situation
This situation can’t be termed healthy. A surrendering partner’s woes must also be looked upon who is like a vanquished whose personality and authority have been snatched. What should be the way out? Let us talk about it.
(1) Dignified life: Sustainable living
Living a dignified life is everyone’s legitimate and fundamental right. It can be compromised, but within a limit. Unlimited compromises or adjustments lead to a feeling of cowardice that turns an individual into a timid and terrified one. It is not practical, nor should it be acceptable, individually or socially. It impairs not only the individual but also society as a whole. In a nuptial relationship, adjusting according to the temperament of partners is essential, but it must not be lopsided. It leads to many complication including social isolation.
(2) Acceptance of society
Society is a conglomerate of closely knitted individuals. It, nonetheless, does not care much about such persons. Those who can move with agility are allowed to join the caravan. The unable and abnormal have no place in it, and they are eliminated. It is the way nature teaches us a lesson. Those who learn the ways can survive, but the stubborn are bound to be doomed.
(3) Sustainable relationships
Sustainable living is not limited to adapting ways to protect the environment; it extends to every aspect of life, including relationships. Amicability, flexibility and mutual understanding are ways to lead a sustainable social life. Negative traits like overambition and stubbornness need to be discarded.
Relationships: Open-minded approach
A much-needed thing is to appreciate the beauty of life. An open-minded approach helps a great deal. The earlier the better, lest it be late. Society doesn’t care for the stubborn who doom themselves by clinging to their haughtiness and pertinacity. Ravan, the most powerful and knowledgeable emperor, was doomed because of his perversity. Life is short and unpredictable. Negativity needs careful management without harming those in close relationships.
Actionable Things for Relationships
The easily applicable ways should be to:
- Be respectful of each other’s privacy. Allow appropriate space to them.
- Be polite and courteous. Everyone has self-dignity. It must be respected
- Try to listen to what others want to say. Give a pause, think and apply logic before reaching a conclusion.
- Be considerate. Please don’t be judgmental. Think twice before jumping to a conclusion.
- No problem is incurable. Some take time and patience. Nonetheless, Will issues have no cure.
- Adjustment and calibration are necessary in relationships, but not at the cost of self-respect. No relationship is bigger than self-respect. Repeated humiliation and trampling of self-respect distort the personality of a person.
- Relationships are fragile and need careful handling. It applies to every relationship, including parent and child, brother and sister, spouses, two friends and even those in love.
The list is not comprehensive but is actionable. These are indicative, but they can help in ironing out the creases of a genuine relationship that is free from malice, haughtiness, and Will issues.
This would be the proper and amicable way of sustainable living.
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A retired government officer turned writer and photographer, Kamal Kishore Srivastava is a regular blogger and essayist who explores life’s deeper meanings through immersive reflections on nature, impermanence, and happiness. On his blog Nature’s Narrative, he blends philosophical storytelling with practical insights. Writing 1200–1500 or more words regularly, Kamal is committed to refining his craft, expanding his audience, and building a sustainable space where thought and feeling meet.
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