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.
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 enjoyable for a solitary person like him.
(1) The wetland
Pond Heron and a few local birds inhabited the wetland. During winters, still, it turned into a bird’s paradise with varieties of migratory birds and their calls. Occasional calls of a peacock at some distance break the monotony of silence. These sounds gave the realisation of calm solitude. With the enjoyable solitude, the place is worth revisiting repeatedly. Natural places of like nature allow one to enjoy the company of the inner self in serene atmosphere.
(2) Pond heron
A pond Heron was meditatively looking at the water, standing on one foot. It appeared like an anchorite wrapped in a white shroud and meditating. Suddenly, it darted, and with deadly accuracy, dippied long acicular beak in the water. Moments later, a wriggling fish was in its beak.
A moment later after gulping its food, the Heron flapped its wings and lifted itself into the air. It 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 admirable and rewarding.
(3) The sky
Stray patches of casually drifting clouds created eye-catching nephographs in the sky. Looking at 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.
People’s 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
He saw a Heron gliding across the lake diverting his attention. A crying baby abruptly stops weeping when sees an object of amusement. Likewise, his ailing mind cooled. Nature is such a magical healer. She pacifies and soothes the aching soul, allowing space to think about the situation. He felt relieved. Silently looking up at the sky with brimmed eyes and choked throat, thanked the Almighty.
(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 a frequent commotion was common between the two. It is difficult to decide who was at fault, but he was not always blameless. A dispassionate observer can easily figure it out.
(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.
It all happened that day too when he went near the water body to seek solace.
Harmonious adjustments
Adjustment is an essential part of life. No two individuals are the same. Their behaviour and the manner of viewing a thing vary greatly. Calibration and adjustments are needed to run life smoothly. A cart runs smoothly when every wheel and machinery work harmoniously. Any dysfunctional part derails the cart. It is the way to have sustainable living.
(1) Mutual understanding
Mutual understanding and accomodation for other is essential for a peaceful life. The feeling of “me only” is derogatory and acts as a poison which harms individuality and ultimately to the individual.
(2) Sufferings are intrinsic
Pain and suffering are intrinsic. It has a cause. As Buddha says, everything has a cause. Removal of cause removes the suffering. Sometimes it is easier said than done. People often do not like opposition. They force others to dance on their tune. Now days craving for saving relationships is trending. People often talk about adjustments, amicability, and mutual understanding. It is necessary to give due personal space to all, necessary for a healthy relationship. In daily life, yet, juxtaposition is seen.
(3) Unilateral adjustmet
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 parallel to sustainable living. The helpless sufferer surrenders to the situation after shredding all will, desires, hobbies, interests, and everything that forms a personality. (Moving the goalpost)
Unhealthy situation
Can this situation be termed as healthy? Will a surrendering person not be treated as vanquished whose personality and authority have been snatched? What should be the way out? Let us talk about it.
(1) Dignified life
Living a dignified life is everyone’s legitimate and fundamental right. It can be compromised, but it has 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. 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 living
Sustainable living involves not only adapting to environmental changes. Amicability, flexibility and mutual understanding are ways to lead a sustainable social life. Negative traits like overambition and stubbornness need to be discarded.
Open-minded approach
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 stubborns who doomed 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 a careful management without harming those in close relationships.
This would be the proper and amicable way of sustainable living.
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