When I think about it now almost after a year has gone by it grows even more vivid and brings a contented smile to my lips. Culturally we have grown up to rear friendships for a lifetime and here is a memory of a friend for a walk on the beach.
I was at the end of an NLP course where I was assisting my mentor on the program. NLP is learning life skills experientially though a subjective study of your thoughts, words and actions. For me to coach and share feedback with participants on the program opened different ways of approaching the person and the situation that is unique to them. So after more than a week of reflections and guidance I wanted to take some time by myself to soak in the surroundings and just be!
All participants left for their respective destinations and it was a quiet evening on the single story rooftop where I was enjoying the shore and the scenic sunset. Having extended my stay by a day, I decided to go on a long walk by the beach with no plan whatsoever. It seemed rather strange, for all along there was an unsaid plan and routine to the day – from morning yoga to coaching sessions and maybe a cultural outing and then back again to the day’s reflections. And here I was sipping a cup of tea with some murku (savoury crunchy twists) in this no-bustle and all-quiet state.
we walked, mesmerised by the beauty of the sea, clear blue skies above, fresh air in our lungs, listening to the music of the ocean and hopes and dreams in our hearts for each of our lives that is meant to be.
This was when I noticed another guest whom I had exchanged pleasantries with at the Panioty’s breakfast table. She was pouring over a book on psychotherapy. Now I saw an instant connect for we both shared a common interest in the human mind. And soon we were involved in an engaging conversation. Her name was Caroline and she was visiting India from a rather cold country for panchkarma treatment. And now the treatment was over and she was ready to go back home the next day.
The next morning we met at the breakfast table, which was one of the highlights of the day for its home-made fresh and traditional spread. We decided spontaneously to meet over lunch. And we did. There really was no plan and we barely knew each other but there was a certain rapport. Maybe another perspective would be to delve into the choices we made – to travel to God’s own country, to believe alike in culture tradition of mind body wellness and even deciding on the same home stay. Off we went on a Tuk tuk (as she referred to it) to the end of the beach to a place we found a recommendation about on the internet.
I cherish the moments of friendship I shared with Caroline with no expectations and just being in the moment completely. That to me is a beautiful form of friendship.
We enjoyed the sea view, some chilled beer and sea food while we chatted like good old friends who had met after a long time. Time seemed to pass swiftly and we had to make it to our home-stay in an hour for she had a flight to catch. So I sprung an idea to walk along the beach to our place. Caroline readily agreed and we walked, mesmerised by the beauty of the sea, clear blue skies above, fresh air in our lungs, listening to the music of the ocean and hopes and dreams in our hearts for each of our lives that is meant to be.
When we reached out destination, we said goodbyes. I gave her one of my special earrings as a token of our friendship and she gave me the book she was reading. I cherish the moments of friendship I shared with Caroline with no expectations and just being in the moment completely. That to me is a beautiful form of friendship.
