State of Mind

Walking home this evening at 6:00 PM I had another interesting experience:

It was dusk. The sky was pale blue with very few clouds in the sky. The air was chilly. As I took a deep breath the cool crisp air awakened my senses. It refreshed my lungs and I felt invigorated, as though I had been asleep the whole day. As if I had only just opened my eyes for the first time in my life, I was engulfed by the vibrant colour of the world around me. Leaves were green on the trees and the grass was soft under my feet. With each step forward the ground beneath each foot sunk a little, as if it too was just waking up to the world like I was. Although the earth could have just been wary from a long day of bearing the physical weight of mankind. Nevertheless, it was soft and gentle. I sauntered forward, taking in all the world around me. The comings and goings of passers-by, with cheerful laughter and wide smiles rooted in their expressions. The evening songs of the birds as they returned to their nests. Everything was in harmony with my own state of mind. We were all happy. As I approached the road, the sounds of engines revving and speeding along could be heard faintly. It was a little busy on the roads but it was peaceful.

Then I could see a bus come from a long way out. I hastened my pace lest I miss it. Squeaking suspension and screeching brakes. The bus came to a halt. I took a quick look inside but the bus was packed full of people eager to end their day and get home. Hot supper, warm house, comfy couch and nice loose pyjamas were their prime thoughts.

I then resolved to taking the long one-hour walk to my house. I plugged in my headphones and started walking. The sky grew more and more grey. The air grew cooler and cooler but I was too lost in the music to notice. Each breath I took was in rhythm with the beat of the song and waves of energy were sent coursing through me, which only threw me deeper into the music. I felt a sudden little prick of cold on my arm. Then another and another. It was mother nature, lulling her way into pouring her heavenly life-giving water onto the earth. The world suddenly grew dark all around. As far as I could see, street lights started flickering on and I could see the raindrops fall as they caught the light. Still I walked on, in hight spirits, the music carrying me along the way. Panicked civilians rushed past me, running for shelter from the rain. Some didn't even do so much as glance at me while taken up by the primal instinct to find shelter. Others, however, did look at me but with looks of confusion and disapproval. "What's wrong with that guy? He'll get seriously wet!"

The rain, luckily, was not heavy but each drop was gentle. They seemed to lightly coat me as if mother nature herself was lovingly embracing me into her bosom. I walked on thinking about how quickly everyone's happiness was washed away by the rain and how I was the only one that was undisturbed by it. Then I remembered some wise words someone told me. And just like today's rain I didn't see that person coming. "Happiness is a state of mind." If you want to be happy, you will be. Troubles unforeseen will come along the way but your happiness cannot be ruined by it.

Stay happy. Always.