Today felt like a special day, not just because we were celebrating our nation’s 65th independence anniversary but also because of the small events that unfolded around me. It reminded me once again that life has a way of mixing the big celebrations with our everyday moments.
Earlier, I received a call from a friend who had spoken to me some weeks ago about a piece of land we surveyed together for his brother. His brother had been interested in the new site where we recently relocated, believing there could be a good opportunity to buy land there. A few weeks back, he had come alone to inspect the area to see whether it would be suitable for building. Today, since his brother could not make it, he returned with his family, including his mother.
We went out again to take a look at the site. This time, his mother walked around, observed carefully, and in the end, she seemed satisfied that the place was good enough. While we were there, we also began to talk about the independence celebration. My friend shared his thoughts on how great it would feel to be among the important stakeholders marking such a historic day in the country. I told him confidently that we, too, could get there one day, as long as we kept pushing, making a difference, and refusing to give up on our dreams.
From there, the discussion slowly shifted to something that seemed to dominate almost every gathering these days—money. It is almost as though no matter where you are or who you sit with, the subject always finds its way into the conversation. We began to talk about how difficult it is to make more money and the different ways people try to do so. My friend, being a civil servant, admitted that it is often hard to get enough funds compared to those running businesses. I agreed with him because, truthfully, it is not easy to rely on one source of income when expenses keep increasing.
At some point, one of us jokingly mentioned ritual as a possible way out. Immediately, we all laughed but quickly rejected the idea. It was clear to everyone that such shortcuts bring nothing but disaster. Yes, people might chase after quick wealth, but in the end, what does it really amount to? A house, a car, some fleeting enjoyment, but all of that can never replace peace of mind. Worse still, such a path usually leads to destruction, often death, before the person has even had the chance to live fully.
As we sat together reflecting, it became obvious to me that life itself is short. It does not matter how much we try to accumulate; in the end, none of us will leave this world with our possessions. We are all just passing through, and our time here is limited. That thought stayed with me long after we left the site.