As we live through the years, we tend to become blase and take certain things for granted, no? We don’t notice everything as keenly as we did, say, ten years ago. So many things cease to fascinate us, because they have become part of our lives, part of our routine.
In fact, I’d go so far as to say we don’t practice mindful living as much as we intend to. even though it is a catchphrase today.
What we need is to take a fresh look at life
What brings on this reflection?
Last week one of my gal pals and I were chatting. She mentioned she was off to a movie in the afternoon with her daughter and was musing about how movies were just one of two or three sources of entertainment during our childhood. She also mentioned how expensive movie tickets are, these days and of course, I laughed. I am usually happy to wait until a movie that I want to see airs on television. Also, the thought of spending almost 4 hours traveling to and from a cinema plus the 2+ hours sitting there freaks me out a bit. Don’t get me wrong though, I love the digital sound throbbing in my system off the huge screen as much as any movie buff…it is sheer laziness and the expense that stops me. I always think – so much easier and cheaper to buy a DVD or watch it on TV from the comfort of our own couch.
So anyway – after our phone call, Sury and I were reminiscing about the movies we watched during our childhood – with the cheapest tickets in my case as my Uncle firmly believed that no matter where you sat, you saw the same screen so why spend double? Ha! In course of conversation, we realized Vidur had never been to a movie hall. Well he has, but he was 2 and a half at the time and would hardly remember a thing. Not that we let him forget! We tease him about how he was upset there was an intermission and refused to turn around in his seat and watch the rest of it! Oh, so cute!
And thus we decided to go watch a blockbuster hit movie. We bought our tickets online – our first experience and we loved it – and waited for Sunday.
I found it so endearing that even Sury was so excited about going to a movie hall! We had lunch at home and set off for the 2.30 pm show. At the cinema, I felt so nostalgic, recalling the hundreds of movies I’ve seen. Each time the hero would appear, the audience would scream their heads off. I find none of this annoying and always marvel at how one individual can move the masses. We had decided to enjoy ourselves and we did. The weather was partially rainy and we enjoyed walking back home.
What touched my heart was the wonder with which Vidur saw everything. He was amazed at the huge popcorn packs. But refused to buy one because it was “too expensive”. Knowing him, I had carried some snacks as backup from home – I mean, who doesn’t eat during a movie interval? We loved watching him look at all the huge posters around, the crowds, the chatter, the laughter. I nudged and asked if he would like to do it again. And he said yes!
Naturally, as we walked home, we got talking about my childhood stuff. En route, we saw a “laundry” the washer-men are called Dhobis.
In those days, we used to have a family Dhobi who would come and collect clothes that needed to be washed. The clothes would have a specific identification mark. He would collect the bundle and return them neatly pressed and laundered. And? It used to be so cheap.
Now, with the escalating cost of living, they’re struggling to survive too, yet the practice is very much alive. We don’t use them as we do our own washing…but I find it fascinating to see them at work.
We also chatted about cooking and saw one of these stoves by the roadside. They are called “chulhas” We used to have these decades ago – the rudimentary stove in our kitchen. Subsequently we had a kerosene stove, and then now, gas stoves and microwaves, which are absolutely no use when there’s a power outage!
As we mused on how we’ve moved from the simple lifestyle to a more complex one with our gadgets and other “conveniences”, we pledged to appreciate everything. We promised ourselves that we wouldn’t get so caught up with technology that we forgot to be grateful for what we had.
For my part, I am grateful that I am a child of the 60s. I was privileged to evolve from a home that had no appliances to make life easy, but where the family did everything with love.
Maybe I am hooked on technology but only to the extent of connecting with people and communication. Because people will always rule above technology.
I feel blessed to have a family that thinks similarly.
As I reflect, I think, let us never lose the wonder with which we see things.
Let us never stop appreciating the world we live in.
And let us celebrate the small things.
Because, as the adage goes – they ARE the big things.
I have no question for you today.
I just want to know, “Did you smile today?” ♥
Thank you for reading.
Linking up with Sundays in My City hosted by the lovely Unknown Mami. I am heading over there to find out what the others are up to.
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