September 30, 2007

Inexorable Truth

Trekkers tent and yellow flowers dotting the green carpet on the way to the Himalayan Lake Pangong Tso

In our humanistic society, people strive to accomplish many goals, thinking that in them they will find true meaning to life. Some of these pursuits include business or career success, wealth, good relationships, sex, entertainment, service for humanity etc. One gets to read pretty often that many people have testified that while they achieved what they set out to accomplish - their goals of wealth, relationships, and pleasure - there was still a deep void inside. After so many years have been wasted in their pursuit, they claim achieving those goals eventually reveal a feeling of emptiness that nothing seems to fill. Do we feel similarly?

What's the meaning of life? How can I find purpose, fulfillment and satisfaction in life? Will I have the potential to accomplish something of lasting significance before I die? And is it really important to do that? I wish I had the right answers to these questions.

I just returned after yet another trip to India (the fourth this year). This time I travelled to attend my sister's funeral. Vera will always be in my heart. Death is an inexorable truth. Premature death is perhaps a misfortune. When one does not enjoy good health, probably one feels it is better off to be mortal since lack of good health does not allow to continue to be meaningfully attached to life forever.

I am deeply touched with the marvellous support and kindness I've experienced from my relatives, colleagues and friends during the past few weeks. This also includes my lovely 'blog friends' here: Thank you Tejas, Pijush, Jeevan Baretto, Kalyan, bendtherulz, backpakker, John F, twilight, Crazy Me, GMG, aria, claytonia vices. Thanks also to Jyoti, david macmahon, priyanka mahanta, WalksFarWoman, mrsnesbitt, countrygirlcityliving, Jeana and all those have been here and wished well. Thanks to each and everyone who has communicated with me recently - whether on this blog, online, airmail, e-mails, smses, phone calls and those who have visited me personally. Your support has been overwhelming and please know that your presence in my life is sincerely appreciated. I know there are no apt words to express all that I feel at the moment except say a heartfelt thank you.

Someone has tried to express memories of a loving one in these verses:

"I give you this one thought to keep -
I am with you still - I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow,
I am the diamond glints on snow,
I am the sunlight on ripened grain,
I am the gentle autumn rain.

When you awaken in the morning's hush,
I am the swift, uplifting rush
Of quiet birds in circled flight.
I am the soft stars that shine at night.
Do not think of me as gone -
I am with you still - in each new dawn."
- Author Unknown

5 comments:

Pijush said...

Very touchy post Celine. Thanks for appreciating us. On the juncture of life and death we try to find many answers, but the interface between real and imaginary is still not answerable. Try to live a happy life, its limited by time, so use the time in a better way. Take care.

indicaspecies said...

pijush: I am able to smile, while still pondering on the complexity of life and death. I am, in general, happy, through life's ups and downs. Thanks for your support, and care. :)

Anonymous said...

Nice thoughtful post. Life is a journey with so much emotions in it, we just get involved in it and be a part of the emotions...Touching post!

indicaspecies said...

kalyan: I agree and thanks. :)

Lakshmi said...

very poignant and touching ..we seek so many answers at all times and very often the emptiness resonates .Ive realized that life is beautiful and happiness is an elusive butterfly .pls take care