Redefining Perspectives: Finding Beauty in Simplicity
Embracing Life’s Authentic Moments in an Ever-Changing World
The renowned philosopher and writer Henry David Thoreau once remarked, “It’s not what you look at that matters, it’s what you see.” Our perspective shapes our reality.
I remember when my weekends revolved around extravagant dinners, shopping sprees, and glamorous parties. Every six months, I craved a getaway, treating life like a chronic ailment, and vacations as the remedy.
But what if we stopped treating life as an ailment? What if there was no need for a remedy?
Fifteen months ago, I embarked on an entrepreneurial journey, stepping away from my stable job. Life became undeniably challenging, but it ceased to be a burden. I began to see it in its true form — untamed and arduous, yet vibrant and captivating.
A surprise vacation presented itself during this challenging period. My cousins proposed a New Year’s trip to Majkhali, a serene town near Ranikhet in Uttarakhand, India.
We drove to a small town called Majkhali near Ranikhet in Uttarakhand, India. It’s a hill station with snow-capped mountains that overlook the large glass windows of our Airbnb house.
The house featured a garden, a terrace, and a kitchen where we enjoyed delicious home-cooked meals. We spent much of our time sitting in the garden, taking long walks under the sun, conversing with villagers, and even visiting one who kindly invited us to their home for tea and welcomed us warmly.
We hiked to a nearby village which had a temple at its top. There, we soaked in the serenity of the majestic mountains, gazing at the roads that crisscrossed the landscape, with a tranquil lake nestled among them.
This modest four-day trip left a deeper imprint on my heart than any extravagant foreign holiday.
Now, every new vacation is always a surprise with no frills but holding treasures of a lifetime. As Leo Tolstoy wisely said, “Happiness does not depend on outward things, but on the way we see them.”
Sometimes, even the best of presents fail to please us while the plain and simple steal the heart.
Life, despite its challenges, can be both rewarding and joyous. What we often perceive as difficult also brings excitement and value to our short time in this wonderful and mysterious world.
