Looking into a mirror

“The greatest treasures are not gold, nor jewels, nor works of art. They cannot be held in your hands. They're held within your heart. For worldly things will fade away as seasons come and go. But the treasure of true friendship will never lose its glow.”

Being a quiet soul who prefers to chill in her comfort zone, the loud romp show associated with friendship and hanging out seemed highly exaggerated to me. I continued to believe this way until I met my bestie. 

It was as unlikely as if the shy docile rabbit and the sly pampered cat, sworn enemies in nature have somehow broken the rules and became the best of friends...

I like to believe that sometimes, the universe conspires to bring friends together in a very meticulous planned fashion. Because there seems to be no other explanation for people being in the same vicinity for years, after which they suddenly find a soul mate and best friend in each other… while on the other hand, it takes no more than minutes for a perfect connection to click.

More than saying that they are “good people”, what I love about my besties is that I can just be myself. I know exactly how alike or how different they are from me. But it doesn't matter, because I totally love them the way they are, and there is a gentle reassurance that I am loved just the way I am. 

The sense of belongingness, and wanting to see them fulfil their little dreams, go out of their way to give them a reason to smile… go out of their way to pull their leg… but get fiercely protective when somebody not so close to the friend tries to pull the same joke (Only I can tease my friend… Who are you to say that about her???? )… 

It takes just a glance at each other to know exactly what they are going through. A wave of hand, or change to tone to know what is off. 

We watch out for each others backs. Lend that unquestioning supportive ear for a vent out… but wait for the heat to calm down before telling us that we need to pull our act together. Make them follow their dreams… Share common goals… Similar outlook on life… 

We often discuss about a variety of topics in the world from music, news, movies, space, philosophy, politics, art, nature, food etc, often without any concrete outcome… except to know that there is a soul out there who also thinks the way I do. Even if we disagree on something, its great to know that somebody respects these differences and we can still be friends… They have helped me grow and be a better person for sure.

I have no idea how my life would have shaped up without you!

I know why this sort of a friendship makes me so grounded… When I am with you, I simply feel like I am looking into a mirror… 

…Dedicated to my best friends!

Lehrein aayi

One of my all time favourite pass time in the world is to sit at the beach. People who have taken me to a beach will vouch for the even more silent version of Priyanka (which might seem impossible to some of you)!

Most beaches in India begin with me scrutinising the dirt and litter of plastic bottles, paper, and sometimes hop past dog/any other litter. It usually starts with me having the straight faced scowl.

But a few minutes gazing at the sea has a magical effect on me. I almost get mesmerised by looking at the waves come and go by. The way the come far out from the sea, crash into the sand, the white froth of disturbance which eventually dissipates, receding back into the sea, only to stop the incoming waves…

That wonderful salty cool breeze which is so characteristic of the sea… and the sprinkle of the waves flung out in the air which manages to reach your face like gentle caress…

I feel like I am witnessing the ocean breathe!

The vast expanse of water...Constant movement in and out...disturbances of crashing into the short...yet the flow of water making it so smooth... I guess its a property of liquids to change. I even get some sort of a joy twirling around a water bottle and watch the water move accordingly. Water cannot be rigid. It moves... So Magnify this experience of a water bottle to the sea! 

It makes me feel so calm and peaceful…

No wonder, one of my favourite songs is Lehrein, from the movie Aisha. “Lehrein aayi… Lehron mein beh gaye…”

The waves crashing into the shores might seem to be violent. But it is the incoming waves which makes the sand smooth at the shore.

The receding waves might seem like a goodbye. But they take care that the next set of waves to reach the shore are not too harsh to handle!

The waves looking so tiny far away in the horizon, yet makes me realise its power. The space… And coming to terms with the tiny speck I am in the massive cosmic creation…

The colours of the sky meeting the ocean… The way the clouds and sunlight reflects off the ocean…The creator of this world sure had an incredible artistic taste! Did He mean for it to be so beautiful when He planned to make the sky and the seas?

It seems to tell me that life will keep moving on…Everything in this world will keep moving, keep evolving…Yet, It will always be beautiful and graceful!

I feel the presence of something powerful at the beach. One side of the shoreline in occupied by a huge density of people… The other side continues to be (almost) isolated. At least in my personal experience, it remains an elusive mystery. 

Hope I can get inside you one day and experience the spirit of the sea, the wonderful life within you!