I met a stranger at the railway station today morning.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I am reading "Snow" by Orhan Pamuk, with fixed attention and completely engrossed as I always am while reading. Suddenly, someone sits next to me; oblivious to the thump on the seat, I continue to read. And, then comes a question. I look up, give an answer and suddenly he starts talking. Quite into a conversation mood do we slip in; and my book gets closed. When I reply to a question as to what do I study, he is surprised by my answer. "I am an Architect", I say and he says, "I am into Construction, a builder-developer!"
One thing and the other, we get talking about the transport systems, built-environment in Mumbai suburbs, building materials, my architecture philosophy and training. When I tell him, I also intend to teach he says, "I would love to become your student." Then we talk about social-networking sites, even exchange numbers. Though I hope to help some of my friends with employment opportunities at a Project he's a part of- Yellow Tree. We part ways on the note of adding ourselves on one such networking platforms.
Five years ago, I would have looked upon such conversation with a stranger with suspicion and distrust. And, would have never shared my phone number. Today, with some more wisdom and common sense, with guts I venture confidently in this world. I've learnt to trust my instincts and moreover, trust myself with being on my own.
I strongly believe now, that we are our own teacher. Surely, our interaction with different people teach us valuable lessons, but what we teach ourselves is way more important and stays with us forever. We might take self-help lessons from books or videos or motivational guides, but we derive something only when we soul-search ourselves in solitude and chaos, in sadness and grim, in pain and propensity. Any school or college will teach us to earn a living, but how to live well is something everyone has to discover on their own.
While talking to friends who want to switch professions because they don't earn as much as they thought they would when they started out, I always wonder upon choices we make when we know the benefits they shall bring with them; and never the measure of satisfaction because its not something we are taught to think about in our lives. Why do we live with this constant need of earning more money to buy ourselves material comfort? The pleasure seekers often dwell on the happiness money can buy; do they also dwell on the sorrows of life that money can't replace?
My train of thought ends with a question as to what do we NEED most out of our life? Is it love, happiness, power, monetary wealth, companionship, or simply being better than the other person?
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I am reading "Snow" by Orhan Pamuk, with fixed attention and completely engrossed as I always am while reading. Suddenly, someone sits next to me; oblivious to the thump on the seat, I continue to read. And, then comes a question. I look up, give an answer and suddenly he starts talking. Quite into a conversation mood do we slip in; and my book gets closed. When I reply to a question as to what do I study, he is surprised by my answer. "I am an Architect", I say and he says, "I am into Construction, a builder-developer!"
One thing and the other, we get talking about the transport systems, built-environment in Mumbai suburbs, building materials, my architecture philosophy and training. When I tell him, I also intend to teach he says, "I would love to become your student." Then we talk about social-networking sites, even exchange numbers. Though I hope to help some of my friends with employment opportunities at a Project he's a part of- Yellow Tree. We part ways on the note of adding ourselves on one such networking platforms.
Five years ago, I would have looked upon such conversation with a stranger with suspicion and distrust. And, would have never shared my phone number. Today, with some more wisdom and common sense, with guts I venture confidently in this world. I've learnt to trust my instincts and moreover, trust myself with being on my own.
I strongly believe now, that we are our own teacher. Surely, our interaction with different people teach us valuable lessons, but what we teach ourselves is way more important and stays with us forever. We might take self-help lessons from books or videos or motivational guides, but we derive something only when we soul-search ourselves in solitude and chaos, in sadness and grim, in pain and propensity. Any school or college will teach us to earn a living, but how to live well is something everyone has to discover on their own.
While talking to friends who want to switch professions because they don't earn as much as they thought they would when they started out, I always wonder upon choices we make when we know the benefits they shall bring with them; and never the measure of satisfaction because its not something we are taught to think about in our lives. Why do we live with this constant need of earning more money to buy ourselves material comfort? The pleasure seekers often dwell on the happiness money can buy; do they also dwell on the sorrows of life that money can't replace?
My train of thought ends with a question as to what do we NEED most out of our life? Is it love, happiness, power, monetary wealth, companionship, or simply being better than the other person?
Comments
Post a Comment