AUTUMN - The Season of Letting Go !

SUNDAY SIESTA - Ponder awhile with Juthika Dcruz

I write a regular feature of the First Women's Forum called Laja founded by Riddhi Doshi. Sharing it here too for anyone who may want a lift to their sagging spirits.

Disclaimer : In the spirit of humanity, this is not just for women, but can apply to every human being , irrespective of biological gender identification, sexual orientation or preferences.

#Laja #lajacontributor #lajaforwomen #lajaworthbeingawoman #life #humans #freewill #universalorderofthings #change

One evening Shona was feeling very restless for having been stuck at home with no where to go. It had been raining non-stop for the last few days and only today the skies had cleared up a bit with the sunshine peeping out through the clouds. It seemed like it was playing hide and seek with the earth. Taking this opportunity, Shona decided to step out of the house. She hopped over to her friend Radha's house for a cuppa chai !

Radha was more than happy to spend her tea time with her dearest friend. They both took the tea tray and some pakodas (batter fried fritters) to the terrace garden and sat on the swing to enjoy their 'Us Time'.

As they relished the spicy pakodas (batter fried fritters) and sipped the sweet & fragrant ginger-lemon tea, Shona heaved a sigh of relief. She breathed in the fresh air of pure friendship and looking up at the sky said, "Radha, aren't we lucky to have each other ?" Radha smiled and said, "Yes, sari duniya ek taraf and bachpan ke yaar ek taraf. (Nothing can compare to the deep bonds of childhood friendships)" Shona smiled back at her and popped another pakoda into her mouth.

Radha looked around her garden and then instinctively got up and went to her Hibiscus tree and began to pluck out the yellow leaves. Shona said, "What are you doing ?" "Just plucking out the yellowing leaves so that the garden looks nice and green", replied Radha. Shona was perplexed."Huh? Why would you do that? They will anyways fall by themselves when they turn brown. That is the Law of Nature." Radha tried to say something, "But .." Shona cut her off and continued, "Each colour adds its own charm to nature. That's what makes the world a beautiful, colourful and mesmerising place. Don't use your ultra smart brain to interfere with the workings of nature." Radha was surprised to see how forceful Shona's thoughts were on this matter. She said, "I didn't know you had a passion for trees and gardening"

Shona said, "No, I am not really a gardening person. But I appreciate and admire the Law of Nature. Isn't it wonderful how accurately it works, with each season coming and going at the right time? How each season brings its own magic into our lives ! If we don't interfere with it, everything works according to clockwork precision." Radha thought for a moment. Her friends words kept ringing in her ears. "don't interfere". Taking a small sip of her tea and looking somewhere far away ahead of her, " You are right. Even in life, some people leave our life naturally. Fall off like the yellowing and brown leaves. There is no need to cut them off before their time. And when they do fall off, we must make peace with the fact that they are gone." Shona got up, went behind her friend and hugged her, saying "Yes, and don't worry. New leaves will sprout in the place of the old ones. That is the Law of Nature"

Radha sighed and said, "I wish I could stick back those leaves which I have just plucked just now." Shona hugged her tighter and said, "No. That is also another Law of Nature that we must accept and appreciate. You cannot try and force a connection. If it has to happen naturally, a new leaf will sprout in that exact same spot. What God has done, we cannot undo. Leave it to God and nature. They know what to do" Radha pouted and said, "Why didn't you stop me before I plucked the leaves?" Shona let go of her friend and picked up the leaves Radha had plucked and showing it to her, said, " Maybe it was the Divine, working through you to pluck those leaves. Can you see, the leaves you plucked have this white powdery thing on it ? It is mildew fungus and it could stunt the growth of your tree and it would eventually die. So in a way, it's good you removed them." Radha immediately kept her tea cup and got up to check her plant. Her friend was right. Examining her plant, she realised that if she had not plucked those leaves, her plant might have withered and died. "Oh, I must spray the plant with some pesticides, to save the rest of the plant" "Yes do that", said Shona.

They went back to their chai (tea) and pakodas (batter fried fritters) and Radha said, "Shonaaa ..... ??? " Shona looked up from in-between a mouthful of pakoda (batter fried fritters) and asked, " hmmm..? " Radha looked far away once again and said, "Is there a pesticide we can use to keep human pests away from ruining our tree of life ?" Shona stopped eating, pursed her lips looked straight at her friend and when Radha looked back at her, they both started laughing until there were tears in their eyes.

That's life, isn't it friends ? Kabhi Khushi, Kabhi Gam ( Some Joy, Some Grief) ! It may be the time for some leaves to fall off but remember the green phase will also be back when the time is right, in divine order.

So, live life to the fullest. Don't let the infection of regrets or guilts ruin your tree of life. Everything is in Divine Order. Look up to the sun, spread your arms and say, "I accept the divine order of things in my life and surrender to the Will of the God"

Ciao for now.. See you again next week. Same place. Same space. ?? ?? ?? Until then, stay safe, stay blessed ! ?? Much Love Juthika .

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