This is more like a diary to myself. Today is the day my three-year-old had his first outdoor ride on his tiny bike, pedaling beside the shimmering waters. Childlike laughter ringing out, mingling with the distant city’s hum. Sunlight danced on gentle waves and sparkling eyes discovering the joy and thrill of cycling. Despite the thick humidity clinging our skin, every discomfort melted away in that radiant moment. We’d stroll hand in hand beforehand, their little fingers wrapped in mine with boundless trust. Each wobble and triumphant balance attested to their courage blooming. May their road unfurl as beautifully limitless as the waters at our feet. May be, this’ll come back to me as a nostalgic memory later when he asks the key for my car.
I recently read that here’s something truly enchanting about being invited into a child’s world. I am in that brief fleeting span of my life now where I am blessed to have my 3 year old around. A child’s world is truly beautiful. It’s a realm where imagination reigns supreme, unbound by adult logic or real-world constraints. In this magical space, teddy bears spring to life, cardboard boxes transform into intergalactic spaceships, and ordinary cups hold mysterious potions with extraordinary powers. The way children perceive their surroundings is refreshingly honest and open, filled with endless possibilities that adults often overlook. Their unbridled curiosity leads to questions that can challenge our own understanding of the world, making us reconsider things we’ve long taken for granted. Childhood is a fleeting period, a brief window where reality and fantasy intertwine seamlessly. Colors seem brighter, adventures more thrilling, and everyday objects hold infinite potential. Time moves differently here – a few minutes can stretch into hours of imaginative play, while entire afternoons slip by in the blink of an eye. Those precious moments spent in a child’s world can be surprisingly freeing. They offer a chance to see life through a different lens, reminding us of the wonder we once felt at simple discoveries. In this space, creativity flourishes, unhampered by practicality or skepticism. While we can’t remain in this world forever, these glimpses into childhood’s vibrant imagination can leave lasting impressions, rekindling our own sense of wonder and possibility.
While playing with my son, these days I tend to notice how him at play becomes completely enraptured and absorbed in the present moment. With pure, unclouded fascination, they fully immerse themselves in the sheer bliss and wonder of whatever captures their interest and imagination. As adults, we too often lose touch with that innocent capacity for soul-reverent joy and presence. Our daily routines and obligations cast a sort of seriousness trance over us, causing us to forget the soul-igniting passions and curiosities that once set our hearts afire. We start listening more to the voices of duty, fear and resignation rather than the spontaneous movements of our own authentic enthusiasm and excitement. We resign ourselves to lives of quiet desperation, sacrificing our deepest aliveness on the altars of conformity and responsibility. Yet our callings, our most vibrant soul-seedlings, lie patiently waiting to be revived and nourished.
They never truly abandon us, but rather remain as smoldering embers within, hoping to be stoked by the breath of our loving attunement once again. Just as a bonfire needs an endless supply of fuel to stay alight, our souls require the continual kindling of pursuits that impassion us and spark our unique creative genius. When we withhold that sustenance by disregarding or denying our true joys, we slowly dim our radiance and inner luster as beings. A chance encounter with a book, a piece of music, a work of art or even just the play of light through a forest’s canopy can be the spark that breathes life into the embers of our long-suppressed inspiration. From there, simply staying in intimate regard with that ignited passion and serving it with wholehearted devotion will cause it to blaze with increasing intensity. For consciousness ever follows the tenor of our deepest interests and prayerful pursuits. What we most revere and adore, we become. So if your life currently feels extinguished and monochrome, like a dead campfire’s ashen greys, cease looking outside yourself for the perfect set of reigniting circumstances. Simply turn your gaze inward and ask your heart “What rekindles my joy and childlike awe of existence? What activities and interests resuscitate me with their thrillingly alive textures of being?” Then follow those clues relentlessly down their luminous trails, allowing each encounter with beauty, intrigue, and breathtaking mystery to refuel your soul’s ascendant resurrection fires. For as you do, you’ll burn away the soot of accumulated fears and stale stories to rebirth yourself into the radiant, infinitely faceted shape of your most wild and rapturous essence.
Sailing across the serene waters of Pwani, I vividly feel the rustic charm of the wooden boat beneath us, a shared moment of tranquility with Netta and Ehan. In this journey, as the oars slice through reflections, we’re reminded that life’s essence is found in these quiet connections, in the ebb and flow of the tides and time. | Principal photography and styling: Ajmal | theborderofamind studios
Thank you for coming back to read. Yes, I’m directly writing to you, yes, You! Let’s have a heart-to-heart for a moment, shall we? You know, life’s this wild, unpredictable journey, and I’ve been thinking a lot about it lately. They never really tell you that you won’t have all the answers, and honestly, that’s okay.
Remember how you were trying to make sense of everything that happened to you, those unexpected twists and turns? I’ve been there too. I used to think I needed to have my future all mapped out, but guess what? I realized that the beauty of life isn’t in having a flawless path. It’s in the stumbling, the learning, the growing.
You know what else struck my thought today? Learning to embrace the unknown. It’s like when you’re trying a new hobby for the first time – maybe it’s painting, or maybe it’s hiking through uncharted trails. There’s a thrill in not knowing exactly how it’ll turn out, right? And setting boundaries – that’s crucial. Just like when you decide how far you’ll hike or when to put down the paintbrush. It’s all about respecting your limits and your wellbeing.
And about letting go – it’s like tidying up your space, getting rid of the old stuff that no longer serves you. It’s not just about physical clutter, but emotional baggage too. Making room for new experiences, new joys. That’s the kind of forgiveness and release I’m talking about. It’s about making peace with the past and carving out space for the future.
So, here’s how both of us are going to do it: Start embracing the life you have, with all its imperfections. Find those small things that bring you joy, the people who light up your world, and the passions that ignite your spirit. Remember, it’s not about perfecting your journey; it’s about living it, one day at a time. Let’s do this together, shall we? 🌟
Ehan’s fingertips brush against the texture of a starfish, a tender gesture that encapsulates the essence of gratitude and the innate joy that springs forth from appreciating the small wonders around.
At the heart of every shimmering moment of happiness lies a seed of appreciation, a fundamental truth often overlooked in our quest for joy. The commonly held belief is that joy births gratitude, but in reality, it is our sense of gratitude that blossoms into joy. This subtle but profound reversal of perspective suggests that our contentment and happiness do not stem from the comforts we receive but rather from the contentment within us that welcomes these comforts.
Gratitude for life’s blessings seems straightforward enough for many, but there are those who remain perpetually unsatisfied, immune to the warmth of appreciation. These individuals, forever chasing an elusive sense of fulfillment, remain outside the purview of this discussion. For the rest, cultivating gratitude is an exercise in mindfulness, a practice not inherent but learned with intention.
Mindfulness is less about the detective’s acute observation and more about noticing the simple beauties of life – the vibrant hues of flowers, the expansive canvas of the sky, the melodious laughter echoing in the distance. Acknowledging these wonders and expressing gratitude for the very privilege of experiencing them is a step towards joy. In a world where laughter is often stifled by the shadows of war, famine, and disaster, finding joy in it becomes a precious act of gratitude.
Consider the transformative power of gratitude even in adverse situations. Recall a childhood mischief leading to punishment, and how, over time, this experience fostered a deeper respect for others’ belongings. In that moment, joy was absent, and gratitude was far-fetched. Yet, in hindsight, those lessons shaped more responsible choices, quietly sowing seeds of joy in responsible actions.
Gratitude begins with the basics – appreciating life, friends, family, and even past relationships. It extends to finding beauty in the mundane or the broken – like an old, non-functional camera that serves as a vessel for cherished memories.
Even in the bleakest situations, like a hospital ward in a prison, there’s room for gratitude. It could be towards a compassionate caregiver, advanced medical technology, or simply the hope of recovery. Through this lens, gratitude is not just an emotion for the fortunate but a choice available to all, regardless of circumstance.
As this exploration concludes, ponder the intricate blend of joy and gratitude. Does joy follow gratitude, or is it the other way around? The journey of recognizing and nurturing gratitude in all facets of life might just unravel this mystery.
Ehan’s inquisitive touch among the Tulsi leaves is a dialogue beyond words, a silent exploration of his wonders. Each leaf and stem, under the consideration of his tiny fingers, becomes an early chapter in his lifelong story of discovery.
In the quiet moments of dawn, as light gently nudges the darkness away, we find ourselves at the threshold of consciousness, awakening to a world both familiar and wondrous. This daily renaissance, where we emerge from the veil of sleep, is nothing short of a miracle, a testament to the endless possibilities that life holds.
As the first rays of the sun caress the world, we are reminded of the profound simplicity and beauty of existence. Each morning, as we regain consciousness, we are not merely waking up; we are reborn. The night, with its deep oblivion, is a subtle reminder of our fragility, yet each morning is a promise, a reaffirmation of life.
In these moments of awakening, our thoughts, unburdened by the trivialities of daily life, can soar. We are not just thinking about the mundanities like breakfast or the day’s schedule. Instead, our minds can wander and ponder over the more profound aspects of existence. The fact that we wake each morning, with our heart beating rhythmically, our lungs drawing breath, our eyes witnessing the world anew, is a marvel that defies comprehension.
This daily resurrection is a gift, a chance to start afresh, to rethink, to rediscover. It’s a moment to appreciate the miracles of our existence – the seamless functioning of our bodies, the absence of pain, the continued beating of our hearts. In these moments, we find ourselves in a state of gratitude, humbled by the mysteries of life and the blessings bestowed upon us.
The morning is not just a time but a state of mind, a canvas upon which we can paint our thoughts and aspirations. As we step into the day, let us carry this sense of wonder and gratitude. Let us recognize the beauty in the ordinary, the extraordinary in the mundane. For in each morning, in every awakening, lies the potential for transformation, for growth, for a deeper understanding of the mysteries that surround us.
The amber glow of the setting sun stretches across the sky as my son and I step out onto the corridors. His tiny hand slips into mine, those perfect little fingers curling trustingly around my own. With our first steps, I feel the brush of his tiny fingernails against my skin. How many small discoveries has he made just today, hand-in-hand with his dad? For him, the world is an endless horizon of wonder yet to be explored.
I’m reminded of a treasured childhood memory that my own father recently shared with me. He described how he used to walk with his father, my grandfather, when he was just a young boy. Together they would set out on adventures, my father’s tiny hand clutching my grandfather’s weathered fingers. As they walked, my father would run his small fingers over my grandfather’s nails, tracing the contours and creases earned through years of hard work. For my father, those nails represented security and guidance. My grandfather’s hand was his anchor as he took his first steps into the vast world unfolding before him.
Decades later, as my grandfather took his final breaths, my father narrates that was overcome with the urge to once again feel those familiar fingernails. He reached for my grandfather’s hand and cradled it tenderly in his own. In that instant, he was transported back to his childhood when the world brimmed with promise and potential. Though it pained him beyond words to lose his father, my grandfather’s wisdom and empathy would persist through his son and future generations.
As I watch my young son experience each new sunset as a marvel, I’m filled with immense gratitude. One day, if I’m fortunate, he may walk with his own child in this same way, their tiny hand discovering the world while anchored securely in his. And one day, though my son will never meet him, a faint glimmer of my grandfather’s spark will glow within that child, lighting their way through new horizons, God willing.
For now, I give my son’s hand a gentle, knowing squeeze as the sun dips below the skyline. In his eyes, I see his grandfather’s spirit, that untarnished sense of awe and wonder. And in my heart, I offer up a quiet thank you – both for this present moment, and for all the future sunsets we have yet to witness together, again by the will of God. Each moment has a story and a memory to kindle. Never let a day pass without being in awe and grateful for whatever you’ve experienced on that day.
The scattered toys on the floor tell a story of his endless curiosity and unbridled imagination.
“The moment you realize that you aren’t creating a cut-and-paste version of yourself, but rather nurturing a stunningly unique individual with thoughts and feelings and hopes and fears and opinions and preferences and plans and interests of their own is the moment parenting becomes an adventure instead of a challenge. It’s a simple shift in perspective that creates a world of difference.”
“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.
When I first held Ehan in my arms, his tiny hands were just little nubs that could barely wrap around my finger. But now, watching him as he confidently reaches out to grab toys and jars, it is evident that his hands have become an extension of his curious mind. He uses them to touch, feel, and learn about the world around him. It is truly a joy to witness this growth firsthand as he gradually progresses through different milestones.
I thought of this video project couple of months back to capture Ehan’s interactions with various objects, I am reminded of the importance of cherishing these small moments. The journey of childhood is a fast one, and before we know it, our little ones will have grown into confident and independent individuals. But for now, I’m savoring these heartwarming moments of wonder and amazement with lot of gratefulness and love, as I watch him transform from tiny nubs to symbolize their boundless potential and journey through life. We don’t have as much time as we think we have.
Ehan’s hand, once so small and full of wonder, grows so fast into a symbol of their journey through life, reminding us to cherish every moment of growth and never let go of our innate sense of wonder.
