Saturday, August 7, 2010

Hello world. I welcome you all to the most unimaginably unorganized, unsettled, unprecedented web page you may have ever clicked. For me, writing is that luxury which I can only think of achieving and consistently fail. It is just like the first class 180 degrees flat bed, for all economy class passengers in one of the swanky airliners. Or may be a Porsche zooming past a bank installed Hyundai Santro owner. Nevertheless, considering the fact that there’s always a first time, please excuse the agony. Take a break!!







When I was in school till the 4th standard, the word break to me used to relate only with Tiffin box and a chance to run, play and have fun for an hour. It was more like a mandate and less of an offering, since then I was not intelligent enough to understand the relevance of it. Hence, it was just like another period when I was allowed to do almost anything without any external interruption. From fifth we had to stay back at school for an additional period. Then we used to have a break of 15 minutes between the 5th and the 6th period, apart from the normal recess. Surprisingly, the meaning of the word break started to change for me ever since I began to enjoy those 15 minutes to the fullest. I am somehow still hanging on to the same mindset of the mid 80’s. Break to me is nothing but a brief escape of you from yourself. The freedom to set yourself free from your identity and shift to a switched off mode. On a broader sense, it is an attempt to erase the bitter patches of yesterday and today and to approach the greener pastures of tomorrow.







The concept though of taking a break has traveled through generations. The days of the long family vacations are long lost and have been replaced by short and slim weekend getaways. The motive of taking a break thankfully is still to have unlimited fun with family, friends and relatives. The concept of traveling alone though is on dire straits. By now, you all must be thinking exactly what I am trying to give emphasis on. That is how pathetic I am who don’t even know where to start and when to take a turn. However, your nightmare is just about to enter the climax. Hang on, take a break!!







Taking a break and traveling to me is more of a need than passion or obsession. The liberty to break the fetters of norms and regulations and surrender to the whims and fancies of the inner self. Often I recall those teenage trips with friends where there used to be only fun and joy of experiencing the new. The first bottle of beer, reminds me of the overwhelming excitement I have been through. I wonder why I couldn’t reach that same level of pure fun ever, after I crossed my teenage. Is age the culprit in disguise? My inner me bets to differ. I strongly believe that the reason is myself. Either I have forgotten to escape or the escape routes are lost.







Somehow, I feel that the reason for taking a break today is just to escape from stress and not to have only fun. Most of us take a break to refuel ourselves but not to reframe anymore. We prefer to choose the comfort of a stylish air conditioned suite over a shabby room in a little remotely located resort with a breathtaking view of the mountain ranges. If I ask you when was the last time you took a long walk in the clouds on a misty cold winter morning in Ooty, Manali or Darjeeling, most of you will fail to recall. If I ask you how many of you have seen Taj Mahal ? I am sure at least 90% of you will raise your hands and say I did. I will change the question a bit now. How many of you have experienced Taj Mahal? 30% of you will scratch your head, 40% will be highly confused and the rest of 20% may still raise their hands without understanding the meaning of the question. Taj Mahal will always stay in Agra and will remain open to the global tourists at all times. We can see it and get mesmerized. How can it be experienced? Well, have you ever thought of watching Taj Mahal for hours on a full moon night, holding the hand of your partner? Sounds different? You may give it a try.







All I want to say is take a break!! as it is supposed to be taken and not just for the sake of taking it. Leave your worries and complications at home and workplace and do not pack them along. Go to new places or revisit the old, doesn’t really make much of a difference. Do not even lose a single moment of pleasure. The pleasure of a new experience at all times. Let your soul rest in peace, even when you are alive…… Take a break!!

5 comments:

  1. wow.............. Never knew u cud write so well

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  2. I can feel the passion behind this .... and love for travelling ........... three cheers to you..

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  3. The passion to know the unknown and experience the basics of nature keeps us driving for the attainment of a feeling which chemically reacts (like that of Munna bhai) to provide a serene pacification to your heart. Materialistic gains will find themselves to be puny in front of Kanchanzonga and Gurudongma!!! Keep going !!!

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  4. Very good thinking & excellent writing. Keep going……..

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