Wanderlust.

I’ll never forget the day that I learned to take time to smell the flowers, rather than only look at them.“Man is so anxious about the future that he doesn’t enjoy the present; the result being that he lives as if he is going to live forever, then dies without ever really living.” These words made famous by the Dalai Lama, have always had an affect on me. However, only after the time I spent in India did I understand the meaning of ‘living in the now.’ Traveling through dusty towns, the roads were lined with unsound housing built of trash, rocks, and debris. Indians woke and ran their business during the day, when night came they closed tarps over the windows giving new meaning to working from home. Camels hauling material through the town were a common sight. Motorcycles rushing between traffic. Rarely were they ridden by one passenger, but often saddled with up to five. Traveling a desolate road into a village, I was immersed into a reality that I believed only existed in movies. Cows roamed the streets, while dogs were tied up in yards. Emaciated children ran around laughing with toys that were long ago abandoned in American households. No amount of technology influencing their play.
We stepped out of the tuktuk, being taken with an emotion not short of stepping from a time machine. The aromas of masala chai,and savory paranthas filled the air. Women in well loved saris rushed around going about their daily routines. We stepped into the backyard of a stone house. Three rooms for nine people. Our friend introduced us to his wife, by arranged marriage, of 14 years, as well as three generations of family members. In three days, based on tradition, their seven day old baby, would finally be named. Introducing us to the Indian customs, they served us fresh Naan, paired with curry. Eating with our right hands, our plates were replenished until we’d had our fill. Only then did the family go inside and eat their meal. Later I learned this was a symbol of respect from poorer families. The language barrier existed, but did not hide the families tranquility. Witnessing firsthand the way their culture lives, was breathtaking.
Whole families aren’t common in America. Our population is rapidly becoming obsessed with work and materialistic satisfaction, and slowly beginning to neglect attention to those we love. I’ll never forget this day, the day I realized this beautiful lifestyle is not yet lost. That there is a difference between living and existing.