A Trapped Soul

Beyond the horizon, past the bars

A prison. What is it?  It's something you are put in by society when you do something wrong.  But today's post isn't about that prison.  It is about the prison that you make for yourself.  The prison where it isn't you versus society, but you against YOURSELF.  A figurative take on the topic, discussing why we put ourselves behind these barriers that restrain us.  We are so afraid of escaping our so-called comfort zone that we allow these restrictions to bound us, despite not needing to do so.  Protecting oneself is good, in fact, it is encouraged by evolution, but to shield yourself from the outer world can impede upon your goals and stop you from taking the ventures that you really want to explore.  You might think of the world as a cruel, harsh place; a place you are not comfortable stepping into (especially considering you'd have to let go of your safety blanket).  But if you never break free, then how will you ever realize what life is about?  Fear is undoubtedly genuine, but it just makes you hide yourself.  You just have to break those barriers around you and soar yourself high in the skies.  Leave every hesitation behind and break free from the bounded chains which do nothing but hold you back.  The world is yours to take, only if you have what it takes to fly away.

The Peace Within

Inner Serenity in the Outer Turbulence

There are instances when I am amidst hundreds, but still feel singular.  My soul emanates an aura of peace, despite my brain being exposed to countless, infinite thoughts.  It is this inner tranquility which seeps through my veins, relaxing each nerve of mine, letting me reflect on myself.  Some people are blessed, in that they can obtain this peace with practiced exercises.  But me?  Nope; yoga makes me wish time would go fast so the session ends and mediation puts me to sleep.  You know how I find this inner peace?  By being around nature.  Simply put, I like to feel the wind caressing my hair, touching my skin, and rejuvenating me by its very essence.  To feel my lungs take in the fresh air, and to exhale out the expendable.  It reconnects me with the more important, but intangible soul, while dismissing the more tangible body.  Peace isn't necessarily when you are physically well, but when you feel a wave of calmness soothing every tiny fibre of living in your body.  The external world is a chaos; the law of entropy obeyed incessantly.  But inner peace, that is what differentiates you from the outside.  To have the ability to absorb true calmness within yourself is an art.  Not only does it help maintain sanity, but it gives you a new appreciation of everything.  The yin doesn't exist without the yang.  In the same way, peace doesn’t exist without disorder.  We can choose to find the serenity from the turmoil, or to find the turmoil from the serenity.  But in the end, it is inevitably up to you to acknowledge which choice you make - the yin or the yang.

Droplets of Joy

Treat for the eye, medicine for the soul

The rain?  Yes, it makes me feel alive.  Droplets of water trickling down your skin.  The cold liquid brushing past your body before reaching the ground.  The rising goosebumps on your arms.  If all this doesn't make you feel alive, then what will?  The rain can capture each and every sense of ours, rejuvenating them.  The mere sight of raindrops can relax you, not to mention its steady pitter-patter  which can sooth any mental calamity.  The taste of  warm beverage as you feel the wetness of the drops with your other hand.  That experience is invaluable.  And what about the smell of the cold, wet soil?  That really beats it all.  Furthermore, the thunder and lightning only add to the theatrics.  Lightning, a flash from the camera above, and thunder, the *click* of the taken picture.  The lightning really brings a smile to my face every time; as if someone from above is actually taking my picture.  Smiling at the windows as my eyes witness the rain just adds to the overall atmosphere.  I'd consider it rather shocking if one does not enjoy these experiences, even though it is quite subjective.

But for me, as I watch the rain, all I can think of is brewing a nice and hot cup of coffee to take with me as I embrace the monsoon.  The point is not to get all philosophical; nope, that's not it.  But rather, it is to enjoy yourself without worrying about what others think.  If it means going out in the rain and jumping in puddles, then so be it!  Don't worry about appearing too childish (which by the way, many of my friends worry about).

I guess what I'm trying to say is that it is important that you don't forget to enjoy these small things which often bring a smile to our faces without requiring anything in return.  We seem to take too much for granted anyway, so lay back and observe the atmosphere.  Take it in; soak it in, if you have to.  Because as they say, in the end, you won't regret the things you did, but rather the things you didn't (even though you had the opportunity to).