Reveries and Musings

1

रहिमन धागा प्रेम का, मत तोरो चटकाय.
टूटे पे फिर ना जुरे, जुरे गाँठ परी जाय.

A relationship of tenderness and affection is like a strong elastic thread that lends itself to stretch without breaking under pressure. Rahim implores that one should not take such tolerance and elasticity for granted. For if stretched too far to its snapping point, it will break. The broken ends retreat away from each other in opposite directions with a great force. Such a broken cord can never be mended. Efforts to rejoin it will always leave a weak string with an obstructing knot. A reestablished relationship of affection will never be as good as the original unbroken was. The pain and mistrust of the broken past will always linger.

--- Translated by Surinder Jain

Have you ever felt like you're not fulfilling your purpose in this world? Like your good isn't good enough for others. Knowing that doing what you love the most will get you nowhere.

Have you ever felt like you're not good enough, or attractive enough, or don't have enough talent, ability, or capability for anybody to like you? So that you can leave your mark in this world.

Have you ever been betrayed by those you trusted the most? Doesn't it feel like a part of you has been ripped out, crushed and ground to dust? It leaves a hole in your heart forever, and scars that never fade away, that harden into shields, blocking your vision, your eyes, from seeing the world and all its good things.

Did you ever learn from your betrayal? I did. I never made a single best friend again.

People advise you to not care about what the world thinks. But you do live in a society, we all do. And to be accepted into said society, you have to often put up a show. If you don't, you'll end up being a social outcast. It's unfair and sad, that being yourself gets you excluded from everything else, but it's also the harsh reality. It's how this world runs and to change it will take ages. You'll end up losing your conviction by the time the world is ready to even accept the idea of change.

Life is hardly ever fair, but don't you think everyone should get a chance to chase their dreams, to do what they love the most and have the world accept it?

People have double standards. They're hypocrites. They make promises to never leave you, and yet, they do. Either they stab you behind your back, or slowly, very slowly, break you, till you're nothing but a heap of emotions, broken beyond repair.

I've always longed for a best friend, often a guy best friend. It's wonderful to have one. Jealousy plays no role here, in this friendship. And the best part? This friendship will last longer, much longer than, maybe, your friendship with a girl will. Maybe there are women out there who've always been best friends. I'd say that you're lucky. Because getting a true best friend is a privilege. To have someone in your life who you can always rely on. Who'll be there when you need to rant, rave and repeat. Who won't judge you, and accept you for you. Whom you can call at three in the middle of the night, and not have any questions asked. Who can be your counselor, know all your weaknesses, yet never use them against you. With whom you can share your deepest, darkest secrets and know that he'll take them with him to his grave. Who keeps telling you every few hours how important you are to him and how much he loves you because you have low self-confidence, and need constant reassurance that you're not a waste of space. Who believes in you when you don't. Which is practically always. Who praises you for even your smallest talents, like fitting loads of stuff into a small space or cooking Ramen noodles well. Who can be your support throughout anything and everything. With whom you fight often but can't stay angry with for more than an hour or two. Who you insult on a daily basis because that's how you tell your best friend you love him.

I have low self-confidence and don't believe too much in myself. I know my abilities and talents well, but I don't know how far they'll get me in life. I can dream but I don't have the courage to chase them, and make them reality. I don't believe very strongly in any kind of happy-ever-after and am a harsh realist.

But I do believe in one thing.

Life is short. The world is a small place. Don't stop believing in love. Don't be afraid to make friends or embrace new friendships. Maybe, in them, you'll find your confidant or your life partner. Maybe you'll be betrayed, you'll lose friends and you'll be hurt. But, believe me, at the end of the day, it'll be worth it.

You know that going to a club will get you drunk, or eating ice-cream might get you a cold, or smoking will eventually give you lung cancer. Yet you do it. Why? You know while skydiving, that you may plunge to your death. Why do you still do it? For the adrenaline rush? For the thrill of it? Do you stop and think before taking the risk? No.

So why think before living? Live, not because you know you'll be successful and rich one day. Don't stop living because you know you'll die one day anyway.

Live because it's worth it.

Live because your heart tells you to.

Live, for the journey that follows.

After all, to travel has always been better than to arrive.