New years, new beginnings

It is the freshness in the air that we take with us on our walk into the New Year. Our walk is accompanied by a strange assumption of new beginnings and clean perspectives - the feeling of self forgiveness and a re-energized state of mind. Convincing ourselves of all the things we will not do this year, we tighten resolutions into our lives for isn’t that what everyone does at the start of every year?

The first day back at work and we are all excitedly informing people that they missed out on the best New Year’s bash that we happened to attend. For those who spent their time in front of the telly when it struck 12; well, pity their year didn’t start out on a ‘happening’ note.

Going forward, everything that we see or touch has some sort of a magical appeal. Two months into the New Year - budgets in place, all geared up to succumb to work life and its pressures. Hiking up the tolerance levels, there is a lot at this point in time that one can understand and handle. There are a lot of teeth in everyone’s smiles, fostering great expectations.

Very well, until all starts seeming stale and rather boring. The heartbeats quicken pace and words about ‘wanting a vacation’ start sputtering out of each mouth; not too long until waking up in the morning becomes a heinous punishment of leading a grown-up’s life.

Here is where motivational elements and a little molly-coddling start seeping into the hierarchy. Few fences mended; few fences too torn and tattered. Perhaps a farewell or two and then welcoming on board some new perspectives. Time to learn or unlearn; time to close the year singing a happy tune.

And before we know it, we are on our way to another ‘New’ Year.

From my eyes

There are travels to all parts of the world. Some to exotic destinations, others to bustling cities; travels that give people lots to talk about for they have experienced the many views and cultures along the way. My travels lately have been back to my hometown. A place called Pakistan.

The moment I mentioned where I've been headed, there would be little inclination to read ahead. In your mind you will have already formed a mental image of Pakistan according to yesterday's news and you may for an instant feel worried for me, though you will certainly not be inclined to read ahead. For it is Pakistan, what could possibly be so wonderful about that?

Fact is I feel your aversion. Though despite all its vices, I also carry a pride in my nation. For, in it I see a treasure trove, a haven of diverse cultures, sound artistic beauty and those little things that make up a profound bigger picture.

It’s the man on the colorfully dressed up cart, pulling it across the hordes, it’s the drifting mother on the street nestling child under a canopy set with her most vibrant dupatta and it’s even the quaint little shops and cafes that are a fusion of ethnicity and the modern world. There is much to admire, apart from the military structure that posts on a roundabout.

Chai and spices and all things lovely, on this trip we experienced a place called Pipri. A fueling spot for all truckers who would line up for their turn at the pump. As you will have read from my previous post, the trucks in Pakistan are no ordinary sort; they tend to mystify an onlooker with the intricacy, art and spectacular gaudiness. Pipri would have been a bland oil field on our way to a rural town called Gharo, if it hadn’t been for the great wall of colorful drama.

Color I find in every sight I see, like delightful gems in that treasure trove I speak of. Along a road in another sweet little town, stalls lined up, piled high with fruits of the season with the only reality differentiating each stall being the varying forms of decoration. Then beside the stalls, others lined up with desi roses from the season, the smell another story to tell. Turn around the corner to find a market bustling with crowds, music, street food and people selling clothes and ethnic finds.

In a nation where there are many on the line to tear us apart, life on the streets makes one realize those things we are proud to express. There are certainly those apparent wonders that one could admire, and then there are the places where life happens, where the salient vibe allows you to sink into a state of appreciation. I may not have changed your perceptions formed over years of pessimism from the media, though I do hope you stayed with me till the end of my musings. Which makes me hopeful that one day you will see my hometown, Pakistan from my eyes.