Things are as they are, not as they should be!

Outside My Window #WordsMatter

The noisy and energetic hustle-bustle of the market below the hotel window, swarming with people going about their business.

The view of chaotic narrow lanes with bikes and autos, cows and people jostling for space, from the window of the cafe.

Seeing the periodic lashing of the sea waves over the rocky shore from the high-rise.

Sitting cozily by the window of your home and watching the rain pouring outside.

There’s something beautiful about looking out the window and see the world unfolding outside.

Have you realized that as you stare out of the window, you are looking at everything and nothing at the same time. Yes, you are not only taking in the sights of the outside world but also thinking, reflecting, day-dreaming or exploring the wandering mind.

It’s not always easy to tell the difference between thinking and looking out the window. -Wallace Stevens

As I look out the window, I see the overcast sky. The sky that is dark and low with ominous black clouds, the wind is picking up, warning and howling like a lone wolf into the night. And I am reminded of the dark clouds of despair and delusion which had engulfed me some years ago. How weary and exhausting that was! A chat with a friend changed the perspective and that changed it all.  How amazing is our mind! We learn something new or suddenly see something in a different light and everything shifts. Just like this strong gust of wind which is sweeping all the dark clouds away!

outside my window

From my window, I am seeing a pani-puri vendor surrounded by a few kids and their mothers outside our apartment complex. I can see the vendor interacting with each of his customer, I know he is asking them ‘Teekha, Medium ya Meetha’. Everyone is waiting patiently for their turn to get the pani-puri in their bowl. As Mrs L put that pani-puri in her mouth, I can see that she has been directly teleported to heaven. I am smiling at little B who has made a gigantic mess as the pani-puri is too big for him. And I let out a wistful sigh. I so wish to join them and enjoy this favorite street food of mine, but I won’t. I am thinking of my strong internal brakes which inhibit me from enjoying this little ball of happiness from a road-side vendor. It’s not only the pani-puri but so many other things that I have a mental block for. I am realizing that I just can’t wish these blocks away, but I will have to practically deal with them.

Outside my window, I see the two tall green trees swaying gently in the wind. They are losing some leaves in the process but they aren’t worried and continue to match their dance with the rhythm of the wind. This view makes me wish that we all could dance, smile, marvel, trust, hope, love, wish, believe and most of all, enjoy every moment of the journey, and appreciate where we are at this moment instead of always focusing on how far we have to go!

Staring outside the window is a great exercise in listening to our mind and delving deeper and getting a better understanding of our inner self.

What do you see outside your window? Does it inspire reflection and introspection?

I received this tag from Anagha Yatin at Canvas with Rainbow. It’s my pleasure to pass on this tag to PraGun at Pragun’s Panchtatwa – Sun Sea Sand Sky. There are 47 of us on this Blog Hop and it will be spread over 3 days – 2, 3, 4 August. Do follow the #WordsMatter Blog Hop and prepare to be surprised!

31 Responses

  1. Lovely post Shilpa – I agree that gazing (to paraphrase) is a very worthwhile activity … 🙂 I’m glad that the dark days are no longer. It’s been said that depression is gift from the gods – if we take from it what it could maybe teach us …

    1. Indeed, looking out from a window is akin thinking, meditative even. Loved your post Shilpa, such a soothing and comfortable post. You need to chuck some blocks every now and then and defy rules, even self-imposed ones. I love gazing from my windows, in fact I think I while away quite a lot of time staring out of it with a million thoughts flying through my mind.

      1. I have the same block against eating pani puri from a roadside vendor so I make my own when I crave it., I love to sit in my sitout and gaze at the world.

  2. After reading your post, I looked outside my window. It is now 10:28 PM. My house is in Berkeley Hills. I can very clearly see the San Francisco Bay and the San Francisco high rise buildings, almost like floating in the bay water. Gives me peace of mind.

  3. There’s something uncanny about this post that kept me glued to every word written in. Probably its a window to your world both outside and inside! And it fits in well with what you stated, ‘There is something beautiful about looking out of the window’.

  4. Wonderfully penned down. My kid would agree to your line “It’s not easy to tell the difference between looking out and thinking” as that’s what he does daily morning, before getting ready to the school

  5. Yes, we must enjoy every moment of the journey, and appreciate the present instead of thinking about the past or the future. Looking outside the window and thinking are indeed same. So relatable.

  6. What a peaceful post even as it evaluated some mental blocks Shilpa. I wonder if its possible for you to break them down or have you put them up in response to some external stimuli that stops you? Whatever it is, I hope it lets you be happy and safe.

  7. “Yes, you are not only taking in the sights of the outside world but also thinking, reflecting, day-dreaming or exploring the wandering mind.”— You have summed up the prompt in this sentence. A window seat exactly does this. We look out, think, explore, introspect and ponder. I love pani puri and it teleports me to heaven undoubtedly. Therefore, I loved the pani puri bit. Lovely post, Shilpa.

  8. There are times when I look out of my window, start with very constructive thoughts and gradually slip into day dreaming. And, the fun fact is, by the end of that whole process i feel very rejuvenated and clear headed. As if I got answers to all my questions!

  9. It is amazing how you have captured the essence of this prompt. I totally agree! Looking out of the window almost always ends up in a trail of thoughts! More so when you are alone.

  10. True said it’s not easy to differentiate between thinking and that too sitting beside the window, as this place and frame beings about numerous thoughts. beautiful post

  11. Looking out of the window and day-dreaming can be synonyms for each other. It is amazing how watching the world carry on with its daily routine can invoke so many thoughts of our own, create puzzling thoughts and also solve some other puzzles at the same time.

  12. Oh, I want to have pain puri now! Quite desperately. I have no qualms like you but since N suffered from a bout of diarrhoea we’ve been staying off street food, specially since it’s monsoon season. I’ll have to make it at home today.

    Now that I’ve got that out of my system I have to tell you, that this was a lovely post, meditative and thoughtful. Looking out of the window is really relaxing.

  13. yes, it’s not easy to make out the difference as outside the window we are filled with numerous thoughts and endless emotions. Its a unique connect of inside and outside of the window of our mind too, as we frame it as er our moods. Love to see ani puri wala outside the window for sure

  14. Lovely musings. 🙂 I must say I’m surprised. I somehow thought I might see a crisp 55 word fiction after a long time and yet, it was a very visual musings post. The scene of the pani puri vendor brought a smile!

  15. Oh so many things and so many stories. Looking outside the window is like peeking into life and experiences. It does make me reflect. I loved seeing outside your window, Shilpa.

  16. Its an interesting thought really.Thinking and looking out of tge window.Ilook outside tge window to atare at a lovely tree next to the road and ignore the traffic and people.Yay to mental blocks and overcoming them.Its a lifelong process!

  17. This was beautiful, Shilpa! I also love looking outside. You did a great job of reflecting both on what’s happening outside and inward. Thanks for this vivid post. I am so glad you joined #WordsMatter.

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