I have witnessed many scenes of completely polluted areas. However, as some of my Indian friends have expressed a shame or embarrassment on a personal level for something that they alone cannot fix, I find it ironically beautiful. I see the trash mixed in the composed soil and the history of plastic. All the colors mixed with the ground now highlighted against the wet dirt from the coming monsoon rains are speckled among the ground like confetti after a festival.
India, as a whole, is full of humanity that genuinely feels the pain and the shame as a country. Although I’m an American and have only been immersed in this extraordinary culture for a short amount of time, the impact has been tremendous on me. I went from feeling like a man on centerstage to a spec of dirt among the people. It's not as emo as it might sound.
When you widen your sight, you see to the outer edges of what you couldn't see before. Knowing that you are a part of the larger whole is a mindset that should be acknowledged if you want to find yourself in this world. Being among people and being with people is humbling and terrifying all the same. Why not enjoy the ride?
When you do that, it seems you appreciate more. You start to appreciate smaller things in life. It’s the faint smile when you observe someone being ordinary. It’s a small joy when you witness something that will never happen again, because that moment can never happen again. Presence will mold a dull mind into a kaleidoscope of vibrancy.
