Tag: art

Harvesting Self Contentment

Posted on by Ajmal

Don’t let your food get cold watching someone else’s plate.

In the banquet of life, where abundance spills from the cornucopia of opportunities, there lies a subtle but profound wisdom: to savor your own. The phrase “Don’t let your food get cold watching someone else’s plate” is a metaphorical morsel to chew on, reminding us of the perils of comparison and the distraction of envy.

It beckons us to focus on our own plate, our own journey. Each of us is served a different portion, spiced with unique challenges and garnished with personal triumphs. To gaze longingly at another’s feast is to let our own pleasures go unappreciated, our own blessings unnoticed.

Embrace your plate, for it is yours alone – full of the flavors you have chosen, the ingredients you have gathered, and the meals you have prepared. Let not the glint of silver from your neighbor’s setting cause you to miss the warmth of your own. For it is in the appreciation of our own sustenance that we find true contentment, and it is by tending to our own harvest that we grow.

So, as you sit down to the table of life, take a moment to inhale the aroma of your own endeavors, taste the richness of your own toil, and bask in the warmth of your own creations. Your plate is as full as you make it – don’t let it go cold.

Contours of Understanding

Posted on by Ajmal

“Everything we hear is an opinion, not a fact. Everything we see is a perspective, not the truth.“

Marcus Aurelius
The Border of a Mind (dot) com

In the intricate interplay of interpretation and existence, we navigate the delicate balance between what is uttered and its deeper significance, what is observed and its true essence. Our conversations and observations, akin to echoes in a silent hall, are colored by the shades of individual belief and experience. Each word spoken is a stroke of opinion, creating a portrait that may diverge from the actual hues of fact. Our vision, too, is not a clear lens to the world, but something that shapes the world according to its own design, often adjusting or leaving out details to fulfill its vision.

We often pirouette between what is said and what is meant, what is seen and what is understood. Our conversations and observations, like whispers in the wind, are tinted with the hues of personal belief and experience. Each word spoken is a brushstroke of opinion, painting a picture that may not mirror the true colors of reality. Our eyes, too, are not mere windows to the world, but artists that sketch the world as they see fit, often adding or omitting details to complete their masterpiece.

Consider a mother watching her child play, seeing not just the actions but a tableau of potential and dreams. Or ponder a scientist peering through a microscope, where each discovery is shaded by years of knowledge and expectation. These are not just acts of seeing or hearing, but intricate ballets of interpretation and meaning.

Our journey through life is punctuated by these moments of misinterpretation and clarification. Memories, like old photographs, fade and warp with time, leaving us with an impression, not an exact replication, of events. This distortion is not a flaw, but a feature of our human experience, urging us to question, to wonder, and to seek deeper understanding beyond our immediate perceptions.

As we wade through the river of our experiences, we should hold our truths lightly, knowing they are but reflections in the water, susceptible to the ripples of new insights and perspectives. In embracing the uncertainty and fluidity of our perceptions, we open ourselves to a world richer and more varied than we could have imagined.

age’s quiet wisdom

Posted on by Ajmal

In the soft light of dawn, as the world awakens from its slumber, so too does the human soul stir with a poignant realization. Each morning, as we confront the mirror, it reflects not just our physical form but a deeper, more profound truth. The act of cleansing our face, the routine of brushing our teeth, these are not mere habits; they are silent sermons on the fragility of our human existence.

Behold, the thin veil of skin that encases us, how delicate and vulnerable it is! This body of ours, a marvel of creation, is yet so susceptible to the wear and tear of time. Our need for sustenance, our battle against sleeplessness, hunger, and thirst – these are not mere physiological demands. They are, in essence, subtle reminders of our inherent weakness, signs from the Divine that our earthly existence is but temporary.

As we age, each wrinkle that etches itself onto our face is like a gentle whisper from the Almighty, reminding us of the fleeting nature of worldly life. The whitening of hair, the aging of hands – these are not mere signs of physical decline but are profound symbols of the inexorable passage of time, a time that draws us closer to our return from this temporal world.

But amidst this temporal decay, there lies an immutable truth – the soul does not age. While our bodies are bound to the relentless march of time, our souls remain untouched, timeless in their essence. The beauty and vigor of youth may fade, but the radiance of the soul only intensifies with the wisdom and experience that comes with age.

In this transient world, where outward appearances often hold sway, aging serves as a potent reminder of the impermanence of physical beauty. It invites us to look beyond the superficial, to recognize the enduring beauty of the soul that outlasts the decaying shell of the body.

Thus, as we greet each day, let us embrace our vulnerabilities, not as signs of weakness but as divine messages guiding us towards a deeper understanding of our true purpose. Let us cherish the aging process, not as a decline but as a journey towards spiritual maturity, a journey that brings us closer to the divine.

mind’s sanctuary.

Posted on by Ajmal
Illustration of Ehan drawing. The young artist at work, his hands now shaped by visions, spreading color upon the bare canvas of imagination. With each mark and stroke, a new world emerging – ideas given form, creativity set free to paint what lights his soul and lift the corners of tomorrow’s dawn.

As the river of time flows on, winding through the valleys and canyons of life, I’ve come to understand my conscience as a lighthouse, piercing through the thick fog of perceptions that fill my mind. The harshest critic lies not in the eyes that view me, but in how I believe they see me—a hall of mirrors reflecting my self-doubts like glaring spotlights.

All labors of passion hold equal worth; the baker kneading the pliant dough, infusing it with care; the painter splashing the waiting canvas, colors dancing into shapes; the gardener nurturing the fertile soil, seeds blossoming with patience; the teacher shaping young minds, igniting their potential. Riches jingling in pockets often masquerade as success, their metallic sheen veiling a soul’s true wealth within. Real prosperity resides in one’s essence, beyond material things that rust and fade. It takes a man of wisdom, kindness and wit to be admired yet unfettered by fortune’s gilded trappings, fame’s seductive allure. The drive to unveil such inner gold becomes his golden key to achieve whatever great heights he desires.

So, I ask you, as a valuable reader, what secret dreams stir within the depths of your heart? What passions blaze in your soul, yearning to shine forth, to prove your worth? That treasure lies inside you, waiting to be unearthed. Delve the caverns of your mind, unearth your hidden gold, and let your inner light glow, as bright as the sun. For your true wealth lies within, untouched by outside eyes, resplendent and free.

fleeting intersections

Posted on by Ajmal
the uncredited multitudes, whose names we neglect as we leave the theater, collectively create the movie’s essence. So too in our lives

As I traverse through the three and a half decades of my existence, I grapple with the transient nature of human connections. It is a reality that eludes romanticism or poetic grace. To those who have traversed my life’s path and those yet to do so: My love is yours. My longing, unending. Should you ever yearn for a return to me, you shall find the rear entrance unlocked.

In the world of cinema, it is not the musical accompaniment that entices the audience, yet it remains an indispensable element in enriching our visual and emotional experience at the theatre. So too, in life, are the myriad souls who subtly enhance our existence, though they may not occupy the limelight. The Careem cabbie suffusing your commute with good cheer. The office attendant who grasps the precise alchemy for your tea and coffee. The building maintenance expert who diligently rectifies an issue that has been gnawing at you. The familiar autorickshaw driver gifting you a hometown mango without embarrassment. The pediatrician offering a lolly pop to your toddler son after a checkup. The pharmacist who devotes extra moments to elucidate a doctor’s prescription with tenderness. In life, as in film, we focus on the stars – our lovers, family, friends. Yet the uncredited multitudes, whose names we neglect as we leave the theater, collectively create the movie’s essence. So too in our lives. Yet, it is those unsung heroes, whose names blur into the background as we exit the theater of life, that contribute to the wholeness of our life’s narrative. Think about it for a while.

mindful momentum

Posted on by Ajmal

I am not a big admirer of a culture of haste and frenzy that prioritizes material wealth and status over the quality of our inner lives and deeper human connections. With a lofty aim to unlock our innate creative potential, I believe undivided stretches of focused time represent one of our greatest resources for artistic productivity and spiritual growth. I sometimes discuss with Netta on the importance and benefits of undivided time during our we moment discourses.

A plate painting done by my two-year-old son. The swirling coalescence of colors on canvas, artlessly applied by tiny fingers yet conveying profound depths, stops me in my tracks. The brushstrokes of my two-year-old son, perhaps guided by some innate yet untutored wisdom beyond his years, reveal the ineffable dance of chaos and order, signifying nothing yet containing the whole universe in their abstract simplicity. I see eternity in a grain of sand, infinity in a child’s primitive painting. The small hand that mixed the paints with such care, adding depth and texture through the miraculous alchemy of color, bestows upon this humble work a luminosity that belies its humble origins.

In essence, there’s a new wave of understanding that challenges the pervasive culture of haste and frenzy that has arisen in the wake of globalization, driven by an insatiable quest for material abundance and social status rather than a focus on the intrinsic quality of life and the essence of existence. Despite their 35-hour workweek, the French exhibit greater productivity than their American or British counterparts. Meanwhile, Germany has instituted a 28.8-hour workweek, resulting in a remarkable 20% increase in productivity. I can see this trend influencing authorities in Middle east as well where I’m residing.

The philosophy of leisurely deliberation does not imply a reduction in productivity or accomplishments; rather, it advocates for the pursuit of excellence, efficiency, and meticulousness in one’s work, all while minimizing stress. It calls for a rekindling of the importance of family, friends, and leisure, emphasizing the present moment, tangible and specific, over the abstract and global. The movement urges a return to the core human values and the elegance of simplicity in life.

This paradigm shift promotes a more contented, buoyant, and efficient work environment, where individuals can revel in their innate talents and expertise. It is now imperative for organizations to pause and contemplate how they can achieve superior quality and efficiency without haste, thereby enhancing the caliber of their products and services while preserving the essence of their raison d’être.

Countless individuals spend their lives in a perpetual race against time in a rat race. Others, consumed by anticipation of the future, neglect to embrace the present moment, which is the sole temporal reality that truly matters. Time is a universally equitable resource, with no individual possessing more or less of it than another. The distinction lies in how each person utilizes their allotted time. It is incumbent upon us to savor every instant. As eloquently expressed by John Lennon, “Life is what happens to you while you’re busy making other plans.”

the inward path

Posted on by Ajmal

Once upon a time, a man found himself in a new situation. He had purchased a cow, but he was not familiar with the ways of cows. As he was trying to take his new cow home, he made a mistake – he held onto her horns and tried to drag her along. The cow was resistant, as she longed for her old home and previous owner.

As fate would have it, a wise saint happened to be watching the scene unfold. He kindly approached the man and offered him some sage advice. “It seems you are new to this,” he said, “and that you are not familiar with the ways of cows. This is not the right way to approach it.”

The man was perplexed, and asked the saint what he should do. “I am not that strong,” he said, “and the cow is stronger than me. She is dragging me along and I don’t know how to handle her.”

The saint then gave the man a beautiful green grass and instructed him to leave the cow’s horns alone. “Take this grass and move ahead of her,” he said. “Keep the grass close to you, but don’t allow her to eat it. As she moves towards the grass, you move towards your home.”

The man followed the saint’s instructions, and to his surprise, it worked! The cow was so enticed by the beautiful, green, and fresh grass that she forgot all about her old owner and her old home. All she could think about was getting her mouth on that delicious grass. And so, with the man slowly leading the way, the cow followed him all the way to his home.

Now, think for a moment if you can correlate this with your life.

limitless scribbles

Posted on by Ajmal
“Within the scribbles of a child’s creation lies the purest expression of human potential..” Photography and styling – theborderofamind.com

As I gaze upon the picture of my 2-year-old son drawing with crayons for the first time, I can’t help but feel a sense of wonder and awe. In that moment, I am reminded of the incredible power of creation and the endless possibilities that lie within each and every one of us. For the first time, I gave him crayons that his grandfather gifted for him on our last visit to home.

As my son scribbles away on the paper, I am struck by the pure joy and innocence that radiates from his tiny frame. There is no fear, no self-doubt, no sense of limitation. Just pure, unbridled creativity and imagination. In this simple act of drawing with crayons, my son is tapping into a deep wellspring of human potential. He is exploring his own unique perspective on the world, expressing himself in his own way, and creating something that is entirely his own.

And as I reflect on this moment, I am reminded that we too have this same power within us. We too have the ability to tap into our own creativity, to explore our own unique perspectives, and to create something that is entirely our own. But what if we could approach the world with the same sense of wonder and innocence as my son does with his crayons? What if we could let go of our own limitations and tap into the endless possibilities that lie within us?

The question is where are the crayons of imagination of you and me gone? When we get buried ourselves in chores and work, always remember that there’s a child inside us and a boundless mind to wander if we put in effort to search for it. It’s exact vision that I’m expounding with the border of a mind venture. To kindle and spark the inner souls within us : )

Perhaps then, we too could create something truly remarkable. Perhaps then, we too could tap into the deep wellspring of human potential that lies within us all.

selfless connections

Posted on by Ajmal

“True love begins when nothing is looked for in return. “

– Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
“selfless connection” – fine art by theborderofamind studios

The search for true love is often a pursuit filled with misconceptions. Many people interpret the theme in different ways. But to me, it speaks to the ultimate goal of love and how we get there.

Some believe it means simply waiting for love to find you without any action on your part. But I believe it’s about what you do after finding someone. While it may start as passion or friendship, true love is about being with someone because you want to be with them – for no other reason.

True love requires a shift in perspective, moving beyond seeking something in return and toward pure selflessness. If we are only with someone because of what they offer us, we are in a transactional relationship. But once we stop seeking compensation and simply give, we transcend into a higher form of love.

This concept applies to all forms of love, not just romantic relationships. Consider your relationships with friends, family, and even humanity as a whole. List what you get out of each relationship and consider if it’s necessary for your love. The answers may provide insight into what you’re really seeking in life and how you relate to others.

Love is not a business transaction, it’s a state of being that transcends beyond receiving and into giving. So let us open our hearts to the purity of true love and embrace the selflessness that it requires. Try approaching your friends, aquaintances and your circles with an approach expecting nothing in return from them. You’ll notice deeper bonds and influences. Even if such people have been across your lives for a very short period of time, you remember them and they leave an influence on you. It’s very heartwarming to cultivate relationships with souls whom we come across in our lives with this genuine connection expecting nothing in return from them. I always truly believe in leaving people better than how I found them. Afterall, behind the vision of maintaining this portal lies my sincere wish to enrich your souls with positivity and to maintain your spirits high. Thank you very much for taking time to read.
God bless : ) Love to hear your thoughts.