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| Outside the cave shines the light so bright! |
Call it change of place or break from monotony, we all enjoy
the ‘outdoors’ or ‘outside’ for several reasons. When the congested air of the
indoors start to choke with no outlet whatsoever, we seek relief outside. This desire
to be out in the open does not limit to a location or place, it also pertains to
actions outside the comfort zone. Doing things beyond the usual and seeking
thrill out of the way are some of the means to realize that life is not lived
out of a rule book.
This brings my series
to the next letter ‘O’. Though the word ‘opportunities’ poked into my thinking
process several times, I was not convinced to go with the usual. As I wandered
out of the comfortable and expected path of thoughts, I looked forward to try
something novel. If unpredictability and novelty are available in the open, why
choose the conventional and expected?
As I look outside
the box for something different, I allow the idea of experimentation. This
article is not designed to ponder over known aspects. True to its title, it is
designed to move outside and bring some new ideas.
Be it a new city or country out of our hometown or out-of-the-box thinking; be it outside the comfort zone or outside
the herd mentality; this ‘outside’ in quotes can influence lot of ideas and
convert them into actions. Stagnation inside a comfortable pool will never lead
to any output. Going out of the usual will draw some benefits. Failure or
success- everything happens outside the boundaries of our so-called thinking.
It is not for nothing that our parents
stressed over the need to play outdoors as little kids.
Outside is not just
a place, it represents a zone filled with the ability to take risks. It stands
for unrestricted thinking and unlimited actions. All we want in life is always
outside the door. If we are comfortably sitting in our couch with the hope of
conquering it all, we are only pampering that little ego to the maximum
possible extent. Ideas, plans, actions and results always await at the other
end, waiting for our inputs. No wonder outcome and output harbor an ‘out’ in
them.
Though we all love
the warmth of our comfortable dwelling and believe in the sweetness of our ‘sweet
home’, it does not equate to productive ideas and actions. It is only after we
fly away from the nest, can we come closer to the realities of life and learn
something in the process. Adaption to outside environment introduces us to
challenges and realities. It shows how prepared or unprepared we are towards
the actual happenings around.
Each one of us is a
star singer in our own bathroom, it is only after we bring those skills outside
the door, when we realize the thin line (or rather a thick one!) between talent
and interest.
Walking outside to
come across new ideas and gather energy for actions is not a choice, it is more
of a necessity. Outside the ‘mind-made’ limits lie the possibilities of action.
Everything appears overwhelming and scary from the comfortable window pane of
your house. It is only after you venture out in the open, when you realize things
only get better. It may not turn out the way you imagined it to be, but it will
teach you something for the course ahead.
When life seems monotonous
over a plain road- go outside
When ideas seem to have disappeared with nothing interesting
to look forward to – go outside
When laziness and comforts of a comfortable routine fill
your system- go outside
When bonds of satisfaction chain your happy heart- go
outside
Go outside only to
return back inspired. Staying outdoor is not a solution to run away from the
hurdles of life. But hiding inside to avoid failures, hardships and challenges is not an option either.
Traveling to
different places instills inspiration. As it introduces our eyes to newer
realities and actual happenings, it pours enthusiasm. Going outside does not translate
to elaborate vacations or huge travel plans. Walking to the corner of the
street is also as ‘outside’ as it can get. A simple walk in the neighborhood can
do more wonders than you think. Comfortable set up is often more dangerous than
an unknown location.
True, comforts bring safety and security, but unless we
learn to bid 'good-bye' at the right time, we will always find ourselves
swimming in some unproductive pool.
Staying at the same
place does not generate ideas. Think of it as a stagnant pond that prefers breeding
of harmful water hyacinth over beautiful lotuses. It does not mean we can
change our work place often or roam outside at every possible opportunity. It
only hints towards the need to seek inspiration from the outdoors.
If inside is filled
with worries and doubts; outside is flooded with opportunities and
possibilities.
If inside voice
pulls you down with negativity; outside chaos will push you into a positive
maze.
If inside is calm
and peaceful but uneventful and boring; outside is risky, happening, yet
adventurous.
And if inside is boring healthy breakfast at
8.00 am; outside is spicy snacks at 7 pm (Why did I even write that? Hungry
stomach definitely travels faster than thinking mind and typing fingers!)
Writers’ retreat, corporate off-site meetings,
picnics, conferences, family get-together all represent the value of being
outside. Once in a while, each one of us must visit this sacred place ‘outside’
to refill ideas and perform actions.
P.S: If you use this article to convince your folks for an
outdoor trip, do so at your own responsibility. This blog does not endorse fancy
vacation plans and will not entertain any requests for compensation of a fat
bill you make, while roaming ‘outside’!
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