It is when I actually constructed a house for myself that I learnt how I could have made a better house at less cost. It is when I reach the autumn of life that I learn how richer life would have been had I made different choices. But neither can be undone. The construction of a house is a one-time accomplishment. At least, one’s life is a one-time affair. There’s no going back.
Life is a cruel game of
the gods if they exist. Christopher McDougall’s
gazelle and lion that wake up every morning in an African forest and start
running for survival are poignant symbols of that cruel game. The graceful gazelle has to run in order to
save its life from the feral lion. And
the lion has to run and capture the gazelle for its own survival.
The conqueror and the
vanquished keep running in the wicked game of life. Could I have chosen to stand out of that game
and watch? Even that wouldn’t save me
because I wouldn’t be able to bear the heartlessness of that game beyond the
initial moments. Could I have chosen to
be a conqueror and gone on rampages defending my holy cows? My DNA would have revolted.
So I end up as one of the
many vanquished ones. Like a piece of
the flotsam and jetsam cast ashore by the endless restlessness of the ocean
whose craving is at once boundless and circumscribed.
Flotsam and jetsam. Nice imagery.
And it brings to my mind the music band, especially their song, Life is a Mess. “No way back from here,” begins the song. Just go on.
Take the ride. “And your troubles
will still be here / Troubles will still be here, troubles are here....”
Let me give the link to
that song before I sign off for now and carry on my ride.
PS. This is written specifically for Indispire Edition 129:
There's no going back.. how true! Lovely post :)
ReplyDeleteGlad you liked it.
DeleteLife is a one time affair.....and we have to use it well ...cautiously.....Thats a good thought sir
ReplyDeleteLife is a series of lessons... Happy to see you here, Tony.
DeleteThe gazelle can ogle at juice of the grass, like the lion can have a timid moment with the lioness.
ReplyDeleteMoments make life and moments have a life of their own.
Moments. Yes, moments!
DeleteVery thoughtful - Life is a one time affair!
ReplyDeleteAnd what all things people do in that short span!
DeleteI guess we need to keep going & making the choices on the way.
ReplyDeleteYes, that's all what we can do. But the irony is that all the lessons we learn will be in vain... If only some of those lessons could be learnt as a child.
DeleteYes we all tend to reminisce as we grow old.
ReplyDeleteMy conclusion can be viewed here http://jeeteraho.blogspot.in/2016/07/the-crossroad.html
Thanks.
DeleteIt will go on....and on....and on.....it's like the more we know the more we don't know....I remembered Waiting for Godot after reading your post.....you made me want to read that play again....it is one of my fav.....:)
ReplyDeleteNobody dramatised the naked absurdity of human life as well as Beckett did.
DeleteLife is to be lived well. No quitting no looking back. Just do your task and move on.
ReplyDeleteI'm sure everybody wants to live well. But often the system stymies us.
Delete