For my wifey & I,
globetrotting has always been more about wandering new landscapes rather than imperceptibly
differing clones of the same handful. And although the notion of dusting off
our passports has been astir for a while now, the reality of having to preserve
all the frenetic toddler routines even while vacationing, has led us to briefly
hold off on any such lunacy until more delectable prospects. So, scratching off
one of the few remaining albeit worthiest inclusions on our domestic bucket
list, the backwater haven Kerala lived every bit up to its sobriquet as God’s
own country!
It really is a one-stop shop... Be it the labyrinthine network of brackish lakes and streams dividing the fishing and farming communities into endless islets, or the intermeshing tides from the Indian Ocean and the Arabian Sea confusing the yellow sands by soaring to disparate levels, or the higher altitude regions here sprinkled with tea gardens for miles around, playing host to countless hopefuls seeking first-rate Ayurvedic therapy, Kerala has it all! Our itinerary took us from Kochi to Alleppey to Munnar before we backtracked our steps transfixed. Strutting along the expansive waterfront paddy fields took us away to an unreal world, while witnessing the sun rise over its rippling image, from our personal houseboat floating on the sedate bayous, made us feel like a billionaire for the nonce… Hehe! The meandering hills too as my better half often ponders, are soul nourishing with spice gardens, tea factories and what not elevating an already ethereal experience and offering us some much-needed reprieve, albeit with some time to reflect…
I think it is indubitable that the first few years of having a child exert gargantuan stress on any relationship, and there’s no indignity in admitting that the last couple of years have been an acid test for ours. Almost all relations have their rough patches but only the truest ones survive... Strenuous times and reality are bosom buddies after all! On that note, recalling an interview with Michelle Obama, if changing the child’s diaper can be a valid point of debate for a former POTUS and his first lady, then one can only imagine the scene from an average family household! Hahaha… Light-hearted should never be on short supply though.
Regardless, having been on a
topsy-turvy ride, we can liberally endorse that actions speak far louder than any words… And although there may be those who simply get off on using sharp jibes in
the guise of honesty, I’d say the line between the two is defined by the zeal
to be factual and part of the solution. Just like our surrounds, every household must have some reasonable and mutually agreed upon ground rules for sustained wellbeing
and functionality. Keep in mind that silent sacrifices form the building blocks
for most families… Afterall, have you prayed for every puny thing that your life
is woven around today? As often depicted in movies, anyone can act like a
distraught zombie, but real strength is being able to keep a smile on your face
during the worst calamity and safeguarding your interests with calm ferocity.
Recalling Bruce Lee’s famous quote “I fear not the man who knows ten thousand kicks, but the one who has practiced a single kick ten thousand times”, it is funny how so many folks these days have their heads all over the place despite the same few questions presenting themselves to every generation. Shallow half-assed attempts in a million directions are as good as none, but spearheaded efforts in a few may take you places indeed. Many might think having a prefabricated empire is a real flex, but guess what… That flex isn’t yours but only belongs to those who built that empire brick by tiny brick! Nevertheless, what’s next? Desserts? Salt-flats? May be some faraway novelty? Guess only time will tell… But for now, it’s all about treading the set path on a playing field that's rarely level.
Fancied winding this one up with Loki's 'burdened with glorious purpose', but I suppose that's a bit too corny right? So...
BE THE FORCE!!!
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| Hopping on the Ghibli bandwagon :P |
