The term “reflection” instantly takes me
on a virtual flying carpet to my school days whenever I come across it. While
studying Physics in Class-9 I learned two specific elementary science terms
beside plenty of others; reflection and refraction. I vividly remember doing
experiments on reflection and refraction in science laboratory with the help of
a small mirror strip, some paper pins, a blank drawing paper, lead pencils,
geometry box and the most indispensible tool; eraser.
Decades down the road we are moving to a
stage where it requires reflecting upon every aspect of life; childhood and
young age, grownup and ageing, parents and children, family and work, friends
and foes, love and hate, home and house, accomplishments and failures,
inspirations and enervations, rewards and punishments, bosses and co-workers, money
and wealth, religion and sects, nationalism and ethnicity, patriotism and
emigration, etc.
Recalling any of above facets, even randomly,
would put you in deep ponder with varied moods, emotions and sentiments. For
instance let’s go through our life long targeted goals versus achievements and failures.
Forget about being grateful over “what I do have” and/or “don’t have”. You will
notice that not everything you desired or longed for could be attained. And even
if some goals were realized those were accomplished at such a belated stage
where they lost their value in our minds, excitement in hearts and sparkle in
eyes.
What about those dreams which still remain
unfulfilled? These are real heartbreaking things; always making us feel remorseful,
leave frustrated and stung. Nature plays its own tricks with everyone; be a
poor or wealthy, healthy or deposed, intelligent or ignorant,
handsome/beautiful or plain/ordinary, and so on. Nature always leaves one
discontented on one account or other. Besides, it keeps us on a trail of
unquenched and unending desires and wishes.
The material world keeps us on toes to
earn bread and butter and to work hard to make both ends meet. This phenomenon
lands us live away from our family, especially parents. The irony is that we
often left with a choice to live either with parents or own family (spouse and
children), and most of the time we prefer to live with the latter. Blessed are
those a few who don’t have to choose either of them. Reflecting upon your
choices and options at a later age when parents are no more alive sends shivers
through the spine. Similarly some friendships that once considered staying
unbroken and everlasting remain totally forgotten now. Reminiscing one or two
such instances make us poignant too.
At this point in age when we have ample
time to reflect upon the entire length of our life the most hurting thing that recurs
in mind is that we wasted too much time on either doing nothing or doing things
less important and insignificant ones. Alas! We could have had more meaningful and
productive life; could have studied more, worked harder, devoted quality time for
the family, took extra leisure to travel frequently within and/or abroad, helped
more people, made more good friends, hated less people, etc.
Lastly, while we have covered longer
part of the road and “ultimate” destination is within our sight we would
certainly like to reflect upon how it went through. Irrespective of our faith
or religion every one of us would want their end with; more pluses and fewer
minuses, ample kind acts than sins, much helping than creating hurdles, devoting
and loving figure than a hating and troublemaker family member. Although we can
never payback our parents’ love and care, however, we can extend the same to
our children and grand children.
