Having being inspired by the Netflix series by Marie Kondo on decluttering and keeping only things that spark joy, I am trying to notice around me things that light up a bright yellow bulb in me that radiates joy. As I rose this morning, the view from my window takes me to two big beautiful almond trees. It’s the time of the year where they have shredded their old brown and red leaves and have sprouted young light green new ones that adorn its branches. The sunlight shining bright on it just makes my day. Will attach a picture for one to visualize the same but trees have always been something that have fascinated me. They are generations old and carry with it so much bio-diversity of flora and fauna that can keep you staring at it for hours. I remember my nani’s house had in front of it a big beautiful banyan tree and as a child spotting various species of birds was my favourite pastime. I was astonished by a yellow beak or red feather or blue strips of the variety of birds that came there for rest and nourishment. The tree sadly had to be cut to make a playground a few years back and that left a big vacuum in my view from the balcony in the coming years.
Back at home, I am greeted with sounds of the parrot, koyal, sparrows and crows. I do hate the menacing pigeons that try to build a nest on my AC deck and wake me up while I am asleep with their mating calls. The parrots though have been a recent add on to this area so it feels special to spot one. They and the squirrels nibble off the almond fruit that the tree bares and the remains of the same are fallen down most of the year. This is one difficult tree to take care of, I’m sure my building sweeper would want to charge extra for all the leaves and scrapes that are fallen below covering the entire floor at times.
What makes the view mesmerising is the sunlight falling on the leaves. I love the bright sun rays encompassing all of us. Makes me feel so jolly good cause the monsoons just make me gloomy and for months I wish for a bright happy sun to be near me. Its easier to say when your indoors and just enjoying the view and not travelling the city in public transport. Mumbai being a humid city always has those challenges but I am someone who doesn’t perspire that easily but I go crazy upset if I am tanned and try to take all sorts of precautions to avoid it, nevertheless I want my daily dose of vitamin D to be around me.
Having grown up in a suburban neighbourhood, I haven’t seen a lot of lush greenery, I see more garbage and ruins around me than patches of big trees. I guess cities make you crave of more picturesque lives. I have been told of visiting north India for its beauty of the hills and the mountains by many passionate people but I’m here happy staring at trees while I’m travelling in my city, enjoying what I have around me. I am sure there is beauty everywhere and it will blow my mind but I like to see the smaller pieces around me that make me feel good. I don’t need Goa to make me appreciate the beach, the one near me, Aksa gives me the same sense of calm and content.
When I’m in a car I’m looking at trees adorning the sides of the roads trying to identify them. I have never really learned the genetic name of various plant species. The usual mango tree, coconut, the peepal tree, etc I know them from their leaves and I guess if I have an interest in it so I should read more about them to be more knowledgeable about the technicalities of it. I once almost ordered a coffee table book called the Museum of trees which reminds me that I need to bill it soon for my mom’s birthday. It will just make for a more mature conversation if I know the name of what I am talking about and not like a standard 3 kid calling it a plant with a red flower instead of a hibiscus or a shoe flower plant.
Standing at the door of the local train, I see the city pass by and all I’m doing is noticing trees, I’m doing that in the car, I’m doing that when I’m travelling by intercity trains but its something that I do naturally while day dreaming. Your mind must be processing different types of thoughts but while spotting a park or being surrounded by nature generates a sense of calm and that there is beauty which seeps in to you inner state of mind to bring forth peace that relaxes you.
Having time to introspect on how you come to like a specific thing will take you back to memories of your childhood. My nani’s house had a beautiful terrace that was filled with variety of plants which I would water in the eve, my house also always has plants and mom has a habit of spotting which fruit baring tree it is, its something that has rubbed off me unknowingly. Seeing fruits grow on a tree makes me feel like a small kid wanting to pluck it off and eat it fresh. The mango fruit is the most common one I see in my city. My bua has a mandarin orange tree that was planted 50 years ago in Gurgaon and its pretty little miniature oranges have been the cutest thing I have seen. I want to own trees that bear fruit and flowers, call it mine, take care of them and enjoy its fruit. I haven’t been to a fruit picking place as yet, I know they have strawberries, grapes and apples that you can pluck. I would find that so much fun to do especially lychees. Just added this to my need to experience things list.
Being someone who driven towards social service, I haven’t actively participated towards this cause yet except for the tree planting drive in school which was 15 years back. Reading stories about the Amazon deforestation or more closer to home, a part of the beautiful Aarey colony being scrapped to build a metro shed was something that caused unrest within my system, as if I have had a slight muscle cramp. Even the small branch cutting exercise by the municipality before the monsoons doesn’t feel right within. I would like to create more awareness especially with the younger generations on the importance of a greener planet and its impact on global warming and emissions.
I got asked if I would like to make a tattoo and which one would it be and I’m actually been quite against one since I have grown up with freckles which are permanent tattoos that I am dealing with already but it took me a while to conclude on having a small tree made because it truly sparks joy in me!
Tags: #art, #beautiful, #clouds, #flowers, #forest, #getgreen, #gngagritech, #green, #greenstories, #ig, #instagood, #landscape, #love, #nature, #naturelovers, #naturephotography, #photo, #photography, #photooftheday, #sky, #spring, #summer, #sun, #sunset, #travel, #tree, #trees
Tanaya knowing you …. you are walking on your chosen path already… You like to be of service to various causes and people…
Your dream of having a shelter for the animals I can already see it coming to fruition soon…
You are a very sensitive beautiful soul…
And I wish you all the very best …
For all your wonderful dreams to come true…
❤️💗❤️
Veidehi