Finding Beauty Amidst Adversity

I captured this beautiful image of the multihued horizon one evening while walking to get to a train station. I am fascinated by skylines, the sun and the moon as they change in colour and form in the wee hours of the day and towards twilight. I only wanted the sky, but my friend who was walking to the station with me, told me to keep the photograph natural and take the row of tuk tuks as well; so I did.

?The queue of tuk tuks represents the reality in proximity to fuel stations these days; yet, this dismal state of affairs does not imply the absence of beauty or hope and it certainly does not mean that the prospects of a change of circumstances are bleak. Quite the contrary in fact, but only if we open our eyes to see these marvels of beauty amidst us.

?The struggles are common amongst all Sri Lankans, some feel it more as they have to bear the brunt of it. All too often, we criticise and find fault, we play a blame game though we fall short in many spheres ourselves. However, amidst the adversity, aren’t these truths that we have experienced?

Have we not been in queues where people have obeyed the law, respected others and stayed out of fights?

I have.

Have complete strangers in buses or trains prompted you to sit when a seat becomes vacant without you noticing it?

I have.

Have fellow shoppers offered you information about other stores at which something you are looking for, may be available?

I have.

Have we not had a complete stranger keep an eye on our things for a moment in public places?

I have.

Have we not had random people appear out of nowhere to help us find something we lost on the street?

I have.

A few weeks ago, I walked to the junction to get dinner. On my way back, a lady pulled up in an Alto with her shutters down and asked whether I needed a lift to a point. I admire her bravery; for whatever reason, we hardly offer lifts or take lifts from unknown people. Should this be peculiar? Should this not be the norm? If we start seeing the brighter side of life and start practising selflessness, would this still be peculiar? I do understand safety is more important than convenience, but can we not gauge that for ourselves in that instance without generalising rides with unknown people to be dangerous?

?(Another beautiful capture that I was treated to while this article was in the works.)

Loads of people spend time creating WhatsApp groups, updating them with the latest information about fuel and gas availability, advising people they have never seen or heard about the best ways to source, which queues to join and what times to avoid.

Many of us have had snacks and refreshments served to us when in queues and these are tough times with prices shooting through the roof.

Thus far, half a dozen people have offered to keep my cycle in the safety of their premises while I get about with my day’s activities. It has been only three weeks since I started cycling.

Hundreds of people watch over other people’s vehicles which are parked in queues while the owners go home to catch forty winks or grab a bite.

All of these altruistic acts are done at no charge, there are no ulterior motives and it is always with the greater good in mind. Of course, all is not rosy and there have been misdeeds in queues, ugly incidents and thievery; we speak about those and forget to acknowledge, appreciate, respect and applaud the noble deeds.

I have witnessed and experienced more unity, camaraderie and support amongst us Sri Lankans in the last three months than I have seen in multiple decades. There is beauty amidst the adversities, if only, we choose to see and appreciate. ?

?#srilankacan #srilanka