The Simplicity of Joy – The Joy of Simplicity
Sitting on a solitary rock on the beach, staring at the waves whispering their soothing, entrancing hymns, Som felt at peace. A lot had happened in the past few days. He needed the overwhelming stillness of the sea to silence his agitated, provoked mind. He needed the waves to help him lose himself in the tranquil ocean of silence, of stillness, of Singularity.
He tried hard not to think of the unexpected disastrous events of the recent past. But images kept coming back, like fresh new prints rolling out of the press of his mind. He felt the muscles in his neck beginning to strain, the veins on his temples throbbing. He took a deep breath, as if to take in the stillness of the cool, moist air along with it. Som closed his eyes, letting the cool air settle down in his lungs. The images returned…one bye one…..His body reacted unconsciously. He clenched his fists; his face was set into a painful grimace. Veins on his neck stood out distinctly. He started breathing faster as the dastardly images refused to relinquish. His body started moving to and fro as the recollection of the gruesome incidents grew clearer, the emotions grew stronger. He began breathing faster. And suddenly as if forcing it out of his body, he let out a disgruntled cry……muffled at first, then loud enough for himself to hear. He felt as though there was some huge unseen weight on his chest, forcing tears out of his eyes, thumping on his chest leading to noises in a rhythmic fashion. He began to find it difficult to breathe. He opened his mouth….gasping for air….panting…
Slowly, his oscillating body came to rest. He opened his eyes and stared into the empty sky; azure blue. He stared with amazement at how wonderful a creator God was!! And then, the usual questions popped up in his mind. “Why?!! Why me??!!” “Why did this happen to me?? Why always me??” “What justification could God probably have for bringing this unto me??” He continued staring, the blue of the sky made the water blue, as tiny waves gleamed on its surface.
He stared unblinkingly wondering, thinking, contemplating. “There has to be some reason!!” ”It can’t be mere random chance governing everything happening to everyone!!” “There has to be a reason ……a purpose!!!” As he stared into the blank screen of the sky thought the wet lens of his eyes, the sky began turning from clear blue into a beatific pink. Birds around everywhere…..flying in the air….perched on the trees…hopping along the beach……began chirping… they began to sing the unique songs gifted to them by nature; pure, unadulterated, and unclassified as noise pr music.
Som continued to stare, as both his senses of sight and sound were gratified by the pleasant environment. Suddenly, he dint know from where, a smile appeared on hiss face. It was the only natural thing to do he felt. He smiled as he felt his heart grew lighter and the simple feeling of unadulterated joy filled his soul. It was simple, it was different – the feeling!! Never had he experienced such bliss! He felt as though he was so light…he could float on the winds breezing from the sea….Som got down from the rock and walked towards the sea; leaving footprints on the sand. Eager waves welcomed him, as they wet his feet. Som felt a strange desire to open his arms wide and just feel the joy of the moment…that particular moment…..He did exactly that…….He took a deep breath and let it go…..as if letting go of his past, his fears………his doubts……….
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