“This statement that the situation shapes you into who you are applies to a person who undergoes suffering in his life situations. I never suffered my life-situations. So, there’s no way they could shape you up like me” she replied watering the plants. The way she held the sprinkler was so delicate yet so firm.

And I brought my awareness to our conversations and continued, “If the situations were not favourable, how come you never suffered? Then, what was the purpose of those situations in your life?”

“For many, situations create pain, problems, challenges that shape them into what they wish to be. Then, the path is good and can be lived again, because it’s the path that’s shaping who they are. For example, if you want to be the greatest warrior Arjuna, then you should be ready to wage wars as many as he did. He had to fight various demons, own family and even his Gurus. Because, he fought battles with equally strong warriors he went to be greatest of them all. In this case, these situations proved more than once that he is great archer; so that wise these ‘bad’ and ‘difficult’ situations are a necessity to prove his abilities.

But, for some, situations are an excuse to exhibit that they truly are! What they truly stand for! They don’t break down or suffer the situations, pains and problems of life. They just bring out the best in the person. But, the situations can be totally breaking others. Like vanavasam (going to the forest and living there for 14 years) in Rama’s case exhibited his real nature – his calm and composed self, his respect towards his father, his detachment towards the worldly possessions and power, his love to live every moment (expressed in his joyous existence in the forest). But, the same situation – imagine having to live that! Wanting to be great as Rama is everybody’s wish but to live like him – that calls for different attitude and perspective of life altogether!

So, if you admire someone then check which character of his or hers you like and desire to have that attitude! But never, I repeat, wish to be like someone! You are asking for trouble. Get it? You never may want to make the journey that the other person had made.” She replied tending the plants lovingly.

She was lost to the world when she was with the plants – more so her plant. I heard her talking to them often! Bizarre, I thought. But many things like this were never ‘normal’ as I observed. Maybe, that’s what makes her who she is! No point standing there to clear the next point that was troubling my senses. That has to wait for now, I knew that. I bid her goodbye and left for my home. And all through the way, I was munching at her words. There seemed to be more meaning than what I understood while she was explaining – felt. But, my bed at my place beckoned me to rest my senses and enjoy the sweet sleep! So, here I go to sleep while you wait for my next post….