Reflections

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.