June morning in Siliguri. A city in the foothills of Himalayas, in the Indian state of West Bengal. When the entire Northern Great Plains of India is swept by heat waves around this time, a cool wet climate hugs this place. And this is largely due to its location in Himalayan foothills combined with the maritime influence which it enjoys from the east. Like other cities, Streets in this city are also full of many life lessons to its connoisseurs.
The place belongs to my in-laws also, Where I was invited to attend a family function. Next morning I hurried to ATM to collect some cash for my return journey needs back home. Heading for the ATM point and then taking a return, was all going in very usual course, until an idea hit me to take notice of and record the life that was slowly and gently unfolding on this morning street. I was stunned to notice the volumes of life lessons and the extra ordinary secrets of life in its fold!
Lesson Of Cleanliness.
I felt like different departments of life getting ready to start this day afresh and with all promptness. Municipality truck and the cleaning staff had rolled their sleeves up for removing the garbage out of the city. And the lessons that were filtering out ranged from worldly context to the philosophical discourse!
While on one hand the scene cried loud that only by cleaning our streets, roads, city and villages, rivers and streams, forests and mountains, and oceans and sky, we can save this planet and can keep the life going on here.
Implicitly it leaves the message that we can prevent our relationships from being poisoned, by flushing out the mental garbage ( anger, arrogance, jealousy ) inside us. Regular inflow of pious thoughts of tolerance and forgiveness, courage and boldness, positivity and morality helps a lot in avoiding such situations.
Looking and realising the kind of work cleaning staff were doing, made me feel why our present Prime Minister suggests to hold these persons in high esteem. Though they are paid for their services, but it is a bitter truth that their service is priceless !
Lessons Of Coordination.
The trucks and night buses had arrived and the supplies to the city were being shifted to trolleys, and Rickshaws. From here these supplies will be sent to vegetable and fish markets as soon as possible so as to make them available in consumer’s kitchen fresh. This whole activity reminds how much efforts it takes to bring food in your plate. we should analyse them and realise that a proper system of coordination is necessary to achieve great community goals.
Lessons About Value For Time.
Ice blocks on a mini truck reminds me of the fact that many things in life are time factored. Loss of time causes loss of utility. Thus time is the most valued thing in life. These ice slabs will certainly have to be utilised before they are melted in to water. And yes, on a lighter note, it has truly been said about life that, ” Life is like an ice cream. Enjoy it before it melts.” And to quote Harvey Mackay, ” Time is free but it is priceless. You can’t own it but you can use it.”
Lessons About Self Care.
Morning time is also time of walking, exercising, and other personal care. Hair cutting salons in streets reminded that while giving a lot of your attention to external world, you should spend a bit on yourself also. Better care and grooming gives you an impressive look. Morning time is also time of taking breakfast and to give our metabolism its required. Street vendors sale variety of breakfast that suit to your taste and needs.
Lessons About Having Desire To Achieve.
As this writing is based purely on practical experience, this whole exercise comes as an opportunity to realise that you can get the things, if you really want them to have. Keep your eyes open. Opportunities have to be unveiled and acted upon.