"If you want to leave your footprints on the sands of time... do not drag your feet", Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam wrote with flourish.
As the relevance and bearing of his wise words sinks in, I am reminded of the times the feet inevitably drag themselves on the sandy shores, the deep, solid marks they leave in the moist sand while the hand scoops up tiny, patterned conch-shells from the wry scalp of the sand. I am reminded of the moments that I have spent standing at one spot, allowing the breeze to blow around and against me, and watching the waves gush in and ebb away towards the setting sun. I am reminded of the quiet reflection that accompanies the imprinting of a shallow footprint in the damp Earth.
And that is when I realize, merely by taking this line at its face value, what its meaning truly is. That one doesn't leave behind footprints on the sands of time by dragging one's feet- by rushing, flippantly flitting from one place to the next, checking off boxes without knowing what for, dancing over the sand as if it were, for all one knew, a bed of roses or a carpet of thorns.
That it is not the pace with which one walks that creates the footprints, but the intensity and intent with which one consciously treads. That those quiet moments of self-reflection, contemplation and planning, though outwardly devoid of activity, root the feet firmly to the ground, generating impressions more long-lasting than the most vibrant activity.
That the action that follows is quiet, well-thought-over, inclusive, meaningful- and not blind and reckless.
So as daunting as this quote first sounded, making me mull over the need for constant action and activity, upon further mulling I realized that the imagery that it creates is suggestive of its true meaning, and not the first impression that emanates from it. It dawned upon me that 'me time', self-care and contented thoughts were not taking me farther away from leaving my footprints on the sands of time, but rather, ever so close to it.
The aim is not to be remembered. That may happen, it may not. It's hardly in our control. The more tangible goal for us is to know why we're doing what we are doing, to ponder over our actions and reactions, and to refine ourselves every day. That is what creates those footprints. The self-consciousness, sense of purpose, notion of duty, awareness of responsibility. The radiance of the individual brimming, threatening to infect everyone around him or her.
And so Dr. Kalam did not advocate ambition. No, he advocated self-discipline, self-awareness and compassion. And a pinch of passion will do no harm, provided that the passion is born out of love for and interest in a particular field, art or domain.
So above all, especially in these trying times, I think it's crucial to cultivate a sense of well-being, self-worth and self-confidence. Gratitude follows suit. It's essential to remind yourself that you can change, for your better and that of others, right at this moment, and that no wrong you have done can prevent you from becoming a beacon of joy if you don't let it.
"It's impossible to make your eyes twinkle if you're not feeling twinkly yourself." -Roald Dahl
I solemnly agree. How often do we, in today's content ridden day, look at a picture to see ourselves happy, from within? How often are we happy looking at the picture, and therefore see a smile even in a mischievous pout or a bored frown? Rather, we place filters on our pictures, pose, smile our hardest, trying to make ourselves look pretty to please ourselves and the world. And when we examine the picture again, we notice, not the engineered, yet beautiful, smile, but the pallor of the face, the drabness of the dress, the soreness of the eyes, the multiple comments that may have poured in, but didn't. And so the smile exists, only on paper. Not in the heart, neither in that moment, nor in the current one.
If we were to only understand that none of this outward posing really matters, that it isn't changing us, but only fostering an illusion and stealing our happiness, we would value our own peace of mind and then try to bring about a similar sense of tranquility in others. Rather than allowing the fanciful notion of people's fictitious scathing remarks to perturb us and to perturb them.
"Health is the greatest possession. Contentment is the greatest treasure. Confidence is the greatest friend. Non-being is the greatest joy." -Lao Tse
Twelve months of confinement have taught me to cope, more with my internal monster than with the vicious virus around. That has been the greatest learning for me. I have learnt to enjoy my own company. To dream for myself, feel for others, help out, do my duty sincerely. To make people happy in the littlest of ways. For that is what leaves footprints on the sands of time. Things that you're happily, consciously, dutifully doing, and not mythical acts of karma that never reach fruition. Not being a CEO at 18, at least, not in itself. It's the little things that surround the action that make it worthwhile.
And now when you relax and take a deep breath and come to think of it, making your mark is quite an adventure, isn't it?
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