No this is not about Maggi. Duh! Though that was a catchy line, whoever prepared Maggi in two minutes? This is about a prompt by friend and popular daddy blogger, Sid Balachandran which struck an instant chord with me. I am a person who loves observing people. I have always liked doing it when I travel solo, take a bus or during my evening walks. Sometimes my sons accompany me on these walks. And they talk constantly. At times I listen quietly because they just want to be heard. Mind you, I am listening but just keep silent. They wonder why I am quiet. It is difficult for them to understand that I am at peace with silence, to be thinking loud with my thoughts, to assimilate what is being spoken, to not give an opinion.
Yep, those who know me in real life know that I can talk quite well with strangers. But I can’t be chatty if you know what I mean. I treasure my silence. Anyway, so the prompt was to quietly observe things as they happen in 2 minutes. So after my heart.! So I keep my laptop away, sit in the swinging chair in my sitout and just look out.
This was afternoon so the street was relatively quiet. Coco was by my side on high alert as he caught a stray dog or cat pass by. He barks in that thick barking voice of his. An aunty from across the street chases her naughty whimpering grandson out of the home. He is apparently throwing a huge tantrum. I just let out a soft sigh. Toddlers can be so difficult. I smile sympathetically as she sees me.
My avocado tree is almost done with its crop of avocados for the season. Wow, she did deliver a bountiful harvest this year. I mutter my gratitude to her and Mother Nature. I spot another neighbor who is getting ready to venture out. We exchange some pleasantries. The sky is a beautiful blue today with wispy white clouds. It is warm, the toasty warmth of winter and I love the soft sunshine. When I take Coco out, I do stand a few minutes in the sun soaking the energy and the vitality that sunlight has always given to me. In another home, I hear the constant whistles of a pressure cooker going on. Someone is preparing lunch, dal is my guess.
I glance around me. I see a bunch of trees and the terracota tiles of our villas peeking out in sharp contrast. There is a riot of colours. It is even more beautiful in spring. The well paved streets are quiet now. And I silently mutter my thanks for living in this shady enclave where I have seen children being born, some growing to immense height right in front of my eyes it feels.
Ah! Life! It does sometimes feel as if an era has gone by in two minutes. So my tiny break is up. I pick up my laptop and glance through the mails. Time to get back to work. How blessed I am to be working from my sitout. Did I tell you that it is even more beautiful during the rains?
So would you like to do a 2 minute observation challenge as well?
Thanks for picking up the prompt, Rachna. And lovely write up. If only we could take more time to observe things around us.
If only! Thanks for the prompt, Sid. I hardly take up any but this one connected so well with me.
Lovely observations and I was with you trying to imagine your villa 🙂 🙂
I wanted to take it up too but then got occupied with dinner and stuff 😐
And you can take it up later, Parul. Thanks for dropping by.
Fabulous no?
I plan on taking it up tomorrow because I didn’t step out of the house today! 😀
And all I could see from my windows were people bundled up because of the severe cold weather and cars…
Oh yes, the cold! I can imagine how your 2 minutes will be less eventful than mine. 🙂
What a simple tranquil post. I wanted the two minutes to go on and on. Planning to take the prompt for my next post.
You have an avocado tree? Wow.
How lovely, Alka. Would love to read your 2 minutes. Oh yes, we do! It has only starting fruiting since last year. It is almost 9 years old!
Now that is a good one.. In two minutes so much happen . Wonderful prompt.. I am going to pick it up for sure..
Awesome! Let me know when you do, Biks. I will take it up then.
A wordy comment will not suit the spirit of this post, so I will just say – thank you for sharing your tranquil 2-minutes with us 🙂
Thanks so much, Beloo.
Ahhh….I felt I could see you in those 2 minutes, Rachna..Quite something it is, isn’t it? Just watching the world go by in silence, I love that 🙂
I might take up this challenge , would be fun to see what I observe now…
Yes, it is actually pretty comforting in a way to let your senses just assimilate. I am sure you will enjoy taking this up.
More than anything, I loved the way you narrated your two minutes spent in extrospection. The thoughts have been woven exactly how it trails through one’s mind- seamless and overlapping. It reminds me how much time I spend mulling over my worries and anxieties, peeping into myself warily, when a few minutes in the company of nature would offer me much solace.
Lovely piece of writing.
Thanks a lot, Maliny. Yes, it is so rejuvenating and yet we hardly make the effort. How terrible is that!
Beautiful writing, Rachna. Minutes of observation gives so much balance and perspective to life where there is so much to observe. I enjoy doing that and brings peace. Love how you effortlessly bring emotions alive in this post.
Thanks so much for your support, Vishal. Yes, observation is so powerful in terms of perspective, introspection and gratitude as well.
I admired the peace you conjured up with this piece, Rachna. Very satisfying.
Thanks, Shy. I felt at peace too. Must do this more often.
Lovely write Rachna! What a beautiful view and space you have.
This is a great prompt. At times we do need to take a step back and just observe.
Yes, and we get immune to it since we live here. But actually taking the time to appreciate it makes you feel more grateful. Thanks for your appreciation.
The most peaceful and serene two minutes, Rachna. I loved this post. I am definitely going to take up this prompt. 🙂
How lovely! Ping me when you do so that I can read it too. Thanks for your support always.
Interesting! Unless we notice keenly, we can’t write like this! Though nothing important is happening, but something is happening in our thoughts! Very nice!
Thanks, Sandhya.
So many things happen around us, isn’t it? Only if we make an effort to pay heed to each of it.. taking out time from our daily hustle-bustle it does gives us moments of peace..
I love the description of your 2 min Rachna 🙂
Cheers
Thanks so much, Geets.
Nice prompt and write up. 2 minutes of silence indeed, is all it takes sometimes to suddenly realize the trivialities that we get caught up in 🙂
Right said, Asha.
I would love to share my experience. A lot happens around us. I guess, we should take a break and observe it. Btw, it reminds me of your Airport post.
Yep, I have linked that post here. I do love sitting quietly and observing. 🙂 I completely agree. We should take out time to pause and notice. There are so many things that we miss out on a daily basis.
You painted a lovely picture of a quiet afternoon.
Thanks, Purba.
Engaging read. And yes living in the moment is not given to everyone
Thanks, Suresh.
Wow… Beautifully penned! 🙂 I can so relate to that feeling of shutting everything else and just watch! A treat for the eyes and the mind! Time just stops and flies at the same time. 🙂
How lovely to see you here, Raj. A long time! Oh yes, I love this indulgence as well. Glad we share similar thoughts.
Written very nicely. Only two minutes , but so many expiriences shared
Thanks, Ranjana.