Feel it..

Imagine the sun gently warming your feet. Imagine the chirp of birds outside the window. Imagine the smell of coffee drifting to your nostrils. Imagine opening your eyes and stretching lazily on your bed. Imagine the start of a day. Feel the beauty of morning.

Imagine a wide road, littered with falling leaves of autumn. Imagine tall, wide-trunked trees on both sides of the road. Imagine the sky-high branches of these trees forming a canopy over the road. Imagine rays of the setting sun, drifting through the leaves of the trees, drawing patterns of golden yellow on the walk-way. Feel the beauty of evening.

Imagine standing on the top of a tall building. Imagine darkness enveloping you. Imagine the silence. Imagine the light breeze touching you. Imagine the sky studded with stars. Imagine the moon rising. Imagine the lights shining far away on the horizon. Imagine the blurred outline of trees around you. Feel the beauty of night.

Imagine a dark, cloudy day. Imagine the cool air. Imagine light drops of rain, falling on you. Imagine the smell of the earth on the touch of the droplets. Imagine the rain pelting down a glass surface. Imagine the winds accompanying the rain. Imagine rain drops dripping from leaves and flowers. Imagine watching a puddle fill up, water splashing around. Imagine getting wet in the rain. Feel the beauty of rain.

Imagine a baby's smile. Imagine a child's innocence. Imagine a beautiful bride. Imagine a proud father. Imagine an old couple, still in love with each other. Imagine a colorful butterfly. Imagine the sweet smell of a wild flower. Imagine a bird soaring. Imagine a trotting deer. Imagine a gurgling stream. Imagine the dolphin slicing the calm of the wide ocean. Feel the beauty of life.

Imagine feeling happy for no reason. Imagine few minutes with your partner, love shimmering around you. Imagine a stranger smiling at you. Imagine receiving a bunch of flowers for no reason. Imagine the satisfaction on doing something right. Imagine curling up on the couch after an exhausting day. Feel the beauty of small things in our lives.

Imagine a family function, with noisy cousins and nosy aunts. Imagine standing at a busy road, feeling the buzz and thrill of life. Imagine watching the sunset at a crowded, noisy, colorful beach. Imagine the excitement of doing something new. Imagine the bliss of being with friends. Imagine a long journey, meeting people on the way and making new acquaintances. Imagine the pleasure of birth and the pain of death. Feel the beauty of being alive.

The idiot's way

What I like most about the movie '3 idiots' is the portrayal of unconditional acceptance of friendship. Halfway through the movie Ranjho's (played by Aamir) friends realise that he was not the person who he had claimed to be. They come to know that all of the years that they had spent together in college was part of a scam and even the name by which they knew him was false. But their friendship does not falter. They still consider that guy, without a name, as their friend. His name, family or wealth does not affect their friendship. They still consider him their buddy because of the person that he had been; for his values, ideas & passions.

Absolute, total and complete acceptance. No conditions, no ifs, no buts. The kind of acceptance that each and everyone of us crave for.

I know many who are into relationships that involves promises of undying and everlasting love. They are serious about these promises and that is pretty obvious when they are together. You can literally see the sparks flying.

But in most cases they insist on changing things about their loved ones - habits, personal traits, dressing, hairstyle, footwear and sometimes their lingo too. Why do they do that?

Isn't love about accepting someone as they are? Or is it about finding a person, customising them to your tastes(in turn changing the essence of them) and then claiming that you love them. Is that what love is?

Idealistic as it may sound, I believe that love is not just another act, like shopping. You choose a dress, pick it in another color, alter the size, shorten the sleeves, bargain over the price and purchase it - and you feel proud about your purchase.

I dont want love to be like that. I want love to be accepting. It may not be possible to accept everything, but we can be accomodating. We can try to love them for what they are, not for what they can be. Of course, if any of their traits are leading them into trouble we should correct them.

If what they do is harmless, then isnt it better to have a partner who is a little towards the fat side, wears a sackcloth, has unruly hair but loves you with all that they have. For the simple reason that you accept and love them as they are.