Annual Ritual
This year has been phenomenal for many reasons. I reflected on the previous year (2022) during a walk at a park. I decided to do that once more this year. However, this time, I decided to write about it as well.
I thought I would play PeterCatRecording Co on my AirPods when I set out. But suddenly, something triggered me to change it to Bahubali songs. I am unable to recall the thought that led me towards it. These songs symbolise strength, contemplation, devotion and sacrifice in my head.
As I took haphazard routes among the concentric circles of the park, my mind went blank as I related to the song's lyrics. I dug into my original personality, which is grounded in self-belief.
I sat on a bench as I observed two friends discuss something random. Sipping on my tea, I saw a girl drenched in pink. Even her shoes were in pink. She was speaking on her phone as she disappeared. Nothing interesting happened in my head or my surroundings for a while.
The Lost Ball
The breakthrough came when I got up and walked towards a bunch of kids playing cricket. As I passed, the batsman hit the ball into the bushes. I did not bother to look at where it went, though it passed me. I walked on. When I returned to the same spot, the kids were busy searching for the ball. They had no clue where it went.
I wondered if it was worth searching for the lost ball. What about the opportunity cost of time lost playing? Why don’t they get a new ball? Whoever finds that ball will either throw it or play with it someday. Or, maybe these kids going to find it some other day accidentally. Till then, the kids can get on with their game by getting a new ball.
You’d have realised what I might be hinting at by now. At that moment, I started thinking about things I had lost. Is there any point in searching for it and figuring out where to look? No.
I need to get it out of my head, find a replacement and move ahead. I took one more round. Surprisingly, I did not think about anything serious or recount happy or sad memories.
The year went as it was supposed to go. I had done well at work and in my personal life, albeit with some stumbles here and there. I called a friend and checked if I could meet him. I completed the lap and moved ahead with no other thoughts or regrets.
If life were supposed to be a walk in the park, it wouldn’t be so much fun and interesting anyway.