Two months ago, I moved into a new apartment in Mumbai. I entered the apartment and after a brief brush with the new place, I simply loved it. I am a believer in ‘love at first sight’ especially when it comes to homes. Its a fresh, brand new construction about eight months ago and I am probably the first tenant to live in the house and a lucky one; considering I found the place without intervention of asshole brokers.
I am one of the privileged lot who gets to work from home, at times. Go IBM! Not a lot of people are fortunate to do that. For the first time, my balcony view is abundantly inhabitated with flying pigeons. Occasionally there are parrots at a farther distance, however I am guessing they don’t enjoy the proximity of human species as much as pigeons do. They don’t perch on balconies and play peekaboo with humans. At times I spot a greater coucal (bharadwaj in marathi) at a distance which is a sign of good luck. Someday when I have a lens with higher optical zoom, I shall shoot some bird species with outstanding clarity. This dense population of birds can be accounted to presence of a water body, half a kilometer distance away from my balcony. The very fact that the house has a balcony makes it special. Having a balcony in a city like Mumbai is luxury, for mere mortals like me, not for the affluent, super-rich!
I am one of the privileged lot who gets to work from home, at times. Go IBM! Not a lot of people are fortunate to do that. For the first time, my balcony view is abundantly inhabitated with flying pigeons. Occasionally there are parrots at a farther distance, however I am guessing they don’t enjoy the proximity of human species as much as pigeons do. They don’t perch on balconies and play peekaboo with humans. At times I spot a greater coucal (bharadwaj in marathi) at a distance which is a sign of good luck. Someday when I have a lens with higher optical zoom, I shall shoot some bird species with outstanding clarity. This dense population of birds can be accounted to presence of a water body, half a kilometer distance away from my balcony. The very fact that the house has a balcony makes it special. Having a balcony in a city like Mumbai is luxury, for mere mortals like me, not for the affluent, super-rich!
I shopped a bit when I moved in. A double bed, a twin sofa and a study table. Turns out my home is stocked with seesham wood collectibles from shopper’s stop. Then, one day, seated on a chair looking on the outside, I was taking stock of my life very involuntarily. I get up and do a job that I like and haven’t called in sick over the past year because I haven’t been ‘sick’ of work. Neat houses are necessary, but French windows and a decent balcony view should be appreciated as perks. I have made Mumbai home with essential seating for a friend or two and a reasonably equipped kitchen to meet day-to-day food requirements. My sister stays three kilometers away and I get to visit her as often as I choose. Same holds true when visiting my parents; they are a three-hours drive away. My state of mind for a prolonged period of time has been content and I experienced a sudden spurt of sublime realization: I have been living the “perfect present” as far as needs were concerned.
I have never had the trouble to dream big, seriously! So someday, I want the french windows to open into white sands of an ocean. I would drive my Zen Estilo as long as I can, but someday I want a BMW x1 especially on long drives. Someday there will be caretaker for the dogs and I shall then have dogs. However, this is the “want” game and it continues as long as we live. If we conditioned ourselves to be content after all our wants are fulfilled, we would probably never be content in our present.
Achieving this ‘content’ state of mind has been a struggle. Not huge, not small but just in line with the regular struggles of everyday life. In 1999, I hated the job I was doing. I wasn’t bad at it, but I wasn’t great either. I lacked curiosity or the passion to excel. Eleven years later, I have found something that syncs well with my sensibilities. I attempt to be the best I can be at work and I know I am only getting started for the next thirty years of my life.
Last month, I got an year older and I spent they day with parents followed by a wonderful site seeing trip around Ratnagiri. I have wanted to shoot sunflowers for a very long time and I had an opportunity to do so on this excursion. Apart from the many heartfelt birthday wishes, I was touched with two of them: from Brindha and Deepanwita; they wanted me to find inspiration to write and photograph, complete the writing task at hand and own a home that makes and keeps me happy. This birthday I was gifted my first brilliant piece of art from an artist friend who is brilliant at what he does. I am surrounded with love from close friends and family. The going’s good!
Speaking of the painting, I love orca whales. I believe I would always end up with a partner with the personality of an orca: Black and white, magnanimous heart, and killer instinct yet gentle demeanor. Friends and family who have known me for years, want me to get hitched. They have probably wanted it for seven years now. Much to their disappointment, I am fabulously single. I don’t take exceptional pride in the status but as long as I enjoy being who I am, I am going to believe its exceptional.
On the Ratnagiri trip, I met a friend’s mum, a very charming and vivacious woman. The first thing she asked me was “Are you married?”. I laughed and said “No.” She said “Get married soon and invite me to your wedding.” I laughed again and said “sure”, which is what I say most of the times. I am an optimist *smirk*.
Out of personal experience and ideologies, I believe companionship is a great phenomenon but for someone to do the entire “walk the talk” of “sickness and health”, companionship is an uncontrollable, untamed variable. Some people take charge of their lives and find the person they 'love' or 'decide to love'. With some of us, we are happy with the way we live and believe if its meant to be “love” would probably come around. Patient, unrushed, unadulterated. Loneliness is only a smaller price to pay in comparison to compromise.
So, today on the day of Dasara, I wanted to document all the good-goings and let the universe know I am very content. However, I am looking forward to the white sands and BMW x1, the writing project to be accomplished and photography opportunities to open up and settled with good scores. Let the going get better from good!
