Was today typical?
The narrative explores the contrast between routine and change in daily life, beginning with a man’s reflective morning experience as he observes the dawn. It highlights how the repetitive nature of existence can lead to monotony, prompting individuals to seek breaks and new experiences to invigorate their lives. Through various examples, including a student’s study routine and a car stuck in the snow, the text illustrates that what one finds tedious can bring joy to another. Ultimately, it emphasises human perception’s role in making each day unique and encourages a positive outlook and appreciation for life’s changes, especially with the approaching festive season.
As usual, he woke up early in the morning. Sitting on the bed, he stared into silky soft darkness, partially lit by diffused, reflected light coming from the streetlight. The ceiling fan was rotating at its full capacity, circulating the air, and, unlike daily, the humidity level was much lower. It made the weather comfortable.
He kept on gazing for some time. The ambience was still and silent except for the occasional barking of stray dogs. They were also becoming silent. Getting down from his bed, he washed his face and came up on the roof. It was dark, but the sky had started to become light. He raised his gaze and saw the dark sky with stars. Stars were also vanishing gradually. It reminded him of a poem describing beautifully using metaphoric language the scene.
Famous Hindi writer Jaishankar Prasad wrote:
“Bīti Vibhāvari Jāg Ri, Ambar Panghat Mein Dubo Rahi, Tārāghat Usha Nagari…”
-Jaishankar Prasad
The poet beautifully describes the vanishing stars as the night was ending. A “Saheli” (Friend (fem.)) is trying to awaken the female protagonist from her slumber, saying that the night was over. “Usha” (Dawn) is dipping her pitchers (Stars) in the vast river of sky. Use of metaphor in comparing the sky to a vast water body, and stars as pitchers being gradually dipped by the dawn, presents a vivid picture of dawn.
A wisp of a smile came to his face. Looking at the sky and remembering the poetic lines, he started humming it unconsciously while walking on the roof. He admired the poet’s way of describing the natural happening. Walking pensively, he dived deep into the poem and the natural happening.
Yet another day was breaking before his eyes. He thanked the unseen force which is found everywhere. Omnipotent and omnipresent, the prodigal force is God, who remains unseen but directs and drives the whole universe with ease and Supreme accuracy.
In a short while from now, a “new” sun would rise. It is customary to say the sun as “new”. Is it really new? The reality is that it is a stationary celestial body that doesn’t move. So, the sun is in its place, and it’ll stay there for eternity. What makes it “new”? It is human perception. Human eyes didn’t see it after it went down the horizon in the evening. It was hidden behind the spinning Earth.
After long hours of darkness, the emergence of the sun brings light and vivacity. As it comes up in the sky, its glamour increases, looking like a new sun. Thus, after a long inaction, life stretches its body and starts working afresh. Picking up the thread where they were left, organisms start their work. It looks fresh, it is fresh. After having rested during the night, organisms in general and human beings in particular start their day afresh with new vigour.
The morning appears fresh and rejuvenating. Everything appears new and fresh. The conservation of energy of the body readies for a fresh sprint. As the day progresses, the daily drill starts making it yet another common day running on the same rail, doing the repetitive, monotonous work. It is a routine that people follow without applying their minds.
They feel heavy with monotony. To break it, they try to amuse themselves. Resting and doing something different breaks this monotony. A student, for example, was studying course material for several hours in a stretch. He inverted the books, closed his eyes and lay down. It gave him a break. He starts doing some other work or simply gazes out beyond the window. It relaxes him. This short break resumes his body’s vigour and gives him the freshness to look at his topic from a different perspective.
The days are the same, the time is the same, but the people and their perception are changing. It is this that gives the whole thing a new outlook or makes it different. To put it differently, a person eats the same food daily. To make it enjoyable, experiments are conducted. It can be in the method of food preparation or use of spices and condiments, their quantities and presence or absence. It changes the taste and appears new. It is the variety that colours life and makes it interesting.
Repetitive things or occurrences invariably become tedious and unexciting. Humans strive for a change. This is the crux. The longing for a break is natural. A quiet and calm environment gives solace, but prolonged calm becomes boring. Like a person in solitary confinement, a person feels caged and devoid of expression. One can’t express joy, happiness or sadness.
While on a trip to a remote hilly area, the car got stuck in thick snow. The snow was fresh and powdery. It allowed the wheels to dig deep but did not allow them to move ahead. With the kind help of a few women going on the upper reaches, the car moved. The travellers offered to take the women where they wanted to go. They readily agreed.
The women were excited. They had met people who were not from their village. Excited women felt lucky to talk to people who hailed from a big city with many people and a varied life. They talked a lot, laughed and joked all the way. They said that they were feeling joyous that they were capable of conversing with some unknown fellow humans. Otherwise, their life was dull, colourless and repetitive.
The incidence shows that what is boring for one person can be a boon for the other. It is situational or, at times, conditional. People from the plains try to seek solace, enjoy snow and natural beauty, while the highlander longs for the hustle and bustle of city life, crowds and people to talk to.
Life is a series of repetitive events. It is commonly seen across all organisms. Human beings, having an improved brain and a complex set of emotions with speech, can vocalise it. It is why humans are seen struggling for a change. They seek it in recreation. They do it in various ways. Some try to be in the vicinity of Nature, go to a park or natural places. If time permits, they prefer outings, picnics, theatre visits, watching films, listening to music, reading books, or sitting quietly for a while. The whole exercise is to break the monotony.
The days are not typical or special. It is human beings and their work that make it special, memorable, enjoyable or not so good.
The days are not typical or special. It is human beings and their work that make it special, memorable, enjoyable or not so good. Whatever one does is bound to give results in the same quantity and size of work. It is the law of Nature. The work done boomerangs and comes back. It is, thus, necessary to choose work wisely, keeping positive and negative aspects in consideration.
It is equally pertinent to note that absolute is impossible. Thinking about perfection is a utopian thought which is impractical. Proper and careful deliberations can lead to near absolute resolution of problems and help ward off impending difficulties.
Difficulties, odd situations or the so-called misfortunes are like spices and condiments. They help enhance the taste of living and enriching experiences. People should view challenges as opportunities, using their wit and determination. It is the best way to win over the problem. Is that so simple?
Some will argue that it is easier said than done. Well, they are not wrong either. People live with possibilities which can be elevating and encouraging, while some give a feeling of antipathy. What to choose and how depends on the person.
Festive seasons are approaching. After a month or two, it will start. Nature gives bounties. The time would be to celebrate and enjoy, seek blessings of God and Goddesses, enjoy the changing season and its goodies. Optimism and positive attitude colour our lives with varied hues of warmth and happiness. Let’s not allow opportunities to go to waste. Come together and make it happen.
Are we ready?
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