If you were to ask me what do I see outside my window, I would probably say life. Yes, if I was in a hurry that would certainly be my answer. But if you gave me a pen and paper, then I would probably say all that I say below. Outside my window, I see a microcosm of the wider world. And I see people and stories, all of which make me think, sometimes jump to conclusions while at others just be left clueless, gawking even.
Outside my window, I see a woman out every morning with her son and their two dogs. I see her walk her dogs two times every single day without fail. When I’m rushing to catch the office shuttle or when I’m hurrying back home to pick up M, she’s right there with her trio. And do you know what I wonder? I wonder where she finds the time rather how she finds the time at all? Also, does she homeschool her kid because he is always with her even when other kids are catching their school buses? If so, I want to know more about that from her. I want to know how she didn’t give in to the convention. I secretly admire that about her. But I don’t ask. I don’t stop. Instead, I keep going my way imagining how it must be to not rush when the rest of the world is.
Outside my window, I see a microcosm of the wider world.
Outside my window at work, I see an aged gentleman on his terrace soaking in the afternoon sun every day when it isn’t raining in Bangalore. I imagine he must be thinking about his life, his kids and his family. I want to believe that he is getting a much-needed rest after working hard all his life. But I want to believe that his wife is also enjoying the same afternoon sunshine. It often happens that men retire and rest but women still keep working at home till their last breath. So, when I see outside my window I wish for a world where retirement is relaxing for the woman too especially the homemakers. They do so much and get so little in return.
Outside my window, I often see kids playing when I am working in the kitchen. I listen to them pretend they are the Avengers. When I was a child, with my group of friends we used to pretend that we were on a dangerous journey. In fact, our group is still called ‘The Danger Journey‘. These kids remind me of that time. As I look at them, I can identify who is closer to whom. I see girls playing football as feverishly as the boys, no distinction and I love that. As I listen to them, I wonder what goes on in their minds. I envy them too for this time is so precious. They don’t even know they are going to miss it when they grow up. But this is one of those things in life when ignorance is bliss.
Outside my window, I see the guy who works in my office and boards the shuttle from my stop. For the last 2 to 3 years now we have been taking the same bus and the interesting thing is I have never seen him wear any other colour but black. Yes, it’s true. I wonder if his wardrobe is all black. Is this some sacred promise he has made for a wish to be granted? Or, does he just love black too much? It’s interesting the things travelling in a bus makes you notice.
Outside my window, I see a world where people are realising their dreams. It makes me wonder if I’m not working hard enough. But that’s not it for I know I’m working really hard. From dawn to dusk, literally. I’m doing my best but somewhere I feel days are passing by. One day very soon my life will be over and all my dreams will have remained as such. It’s not to say I don’t have a good life. I do. But I can’t help thinking this way at times.
Outside my window, I see time going by too soon. Just the other day I was pregnant with M, a bundle of emotions. I remember I used to wake up in the middle of the night and cry not knowing why I felt so overwhelmed. I remember freaking S out starting to cry out of nowhere. But that seems ages ago now. But sometimes it also seems like yesterday that M was born and now she has started going to school. Now that I’m a mother to an almost 4-year-old, I wonder if I should have another child because I see so many people having their second. The society thinks I should. But I don’t think I should. In fact, I know I should just concentrate on M and myself too however sometimes I do feel doubtful. Am I robbing M of a sibling for when I’m no longer there? Am I being selfish thinking about me? You see, I’m just a confused mother.
Outside my window, I see the distant flyover which stands between my office and my home. When I’m home, I want to be at work and when I’m at work, I want to be at home. It’s like I’m always looking out of a window towards something other than what I have. I guess that’s human, right?
Now that I’m a mother to an almost 4-year-old, I wonder if I should have another child because I see so many people having their second. The society thinks I should. But I don’t think I should.
Outside my window, I see the sun peeking through the cloudy sky and I think about beach vacations. When was the last time I had taken a holiday to just be on a holiday, no obligation and no responsibility? I think it’s been over a year now. You know, I wish for a few days in a beach resort, just lazing around. Well, as much lazing as M would allow but yes someplace where I’m just a traveller.
Outside my window, I see a city that I have grown to love. Bangalore is so me, laidback yet ready to pull up the socks when needed. Unpretentious which I’d like to believe I am too.
Outside of my window, I see a world that is rushing by and I wonder if I’ll be able to keep pace. I wonder if like me they sometimes don’t want to do what they are doing and maybe just wish they could go away somewhere, shut out the world and just be.
Outside my window, I see so many lives, so many stories and I wonder if they all are doing what they are really meant to. I wonder if like me they sometimes have this need to do more but don’t know-how.
Outside my window, I see different shades and complexities of life and marvel at the creator.
Tell me, what do you see outside your window?
With the world reeling under the COVID-19 Pandemic, you can read how the world outside my window now looks during a pandemic here.
Pic Credit | Shutterstock
I also can’t help but wonder what kind of lives stranger’s have. I suppose that’s where our stories come from.
I had four kids, but I know plenty of only children who were perfectly happy and content. I felt social pressure to have the perfect nuclear family of 2 kids. But eventually, I just did what I wanted. You should do the same. It’s your life. Live it.
Those were some pretty deep and contemplative observations of what you see outside your window, Naba. A microcosm describes it perfectly! A tiny slice of life seen through the window. How the mind does meander and ponder over scores of thoughts and emotions! Enjoyed the view from your window, Naba!
Very profound thoughts, Naba. I also do that sometimes. When I sit in my sitout, I often see people running about and wonder. Most of the neighborurs I know. It is interesting, isn’t it? Sometimes, even I wonder what is it that we are accomplishing, this daily rat race. Are we doing enough? What is enough?
Ah yes – Life happens outside our windows. The only time I’ve had the leisure to really watch people was when i was expecting the twins and was home alone a lot. And everyone seemed so busy – going about their lives so purposefully. In the day to day scramble we forget to live. The struggles are unending, we have to find our peace somewhere along the way.
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You ask so many questions, so much food for thought. That’s what I miss the most living where I am, the hustle and bustle of an Indian city. All I see is the hills which is very nice and I’m not complaining but I miss the comings and goings of people. I guess I too would wonder what goes on in their lives.
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Nabanitha, your thoughts on each perspective of window is delight to read. Sometimes we keep these observations to ourselves, I like your way of presentation of these observations.
I loved how you showed different contrasts of life. I too observe my surroundings a lot and get lost in thoughts thinking about number of scenarios.
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SO true Naba. And As i look at it too, outside your window are people and their stories. Each one of us are infact stories loaded with emotions and a pawn in the hands of time. And when we put it all together- thats what we call life :))
I love how the view from your window opens up so many windows of thoughts in your mind. Loved reading this.
Very deep thoughts and valid questions. I really liked the view from your window and your narrative too
How lovely to see your world through your window. Each one of us sees life unfolding in its own way with each tableau bringing a different message.
What a whale load of observations Naba – this is some serious contemplation. I love how you have tried to guess what goes on with each person and your hopes and questions from them are very unique and refreshing.
I would just like to say that the grass is always greener across the fence because we only see its colour and not the effort that went into making it so. Also we are overtly critical of ourselves.
Take it easy and do your own thing for its your life, your journey to figure out whats YOU!!! Dont get pressured by what others are doing or want you to do. Go with what feels good to you as only you can decide for yourself.
Lovely writing – loved the flow and articulateness!!
I felt like there were so many stories you told in this one post – and everyone of them meaningful and thought provoking.
I don’t know about you, Naba, but I wonder would life be much simpler if we didn’t think and analyse so much. Sometimes our introspection seems to keep us going around in circles, while less thoughtful people seem to move forward. I have no answers to the many questions I pose myself too.
The last line is so true, outside our window, we can see different shades and complexities of life and marvel at the creator. So many beautiful observations, you have captured the small, the big, colors, people, situations, and lot more from the frame of your window.
So many views and you have woven such interesting stories about them. All these different thoughts give so much to ponder on!! Enjoyed reading your take on the prompt, Nabanita!
Precisely what I feel when I look outside my window.
Do all the people out there live the kind of lives they have wanted? How many untold, secret stories every house holds within its bosom! So many windows, so many souls, so many lives and so many many stories, and yet, I feel that my story must be the toughest to bear! How ignorant of me!
This is what I feel when I look outside my window!
Loved reading your post after so long, Nabanita!
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Loved this post, Naba, as always. It was like having a heart-to-heart conversation with you. Looking outside the window we can see so many lives unravel in front of us, even one’s own too! Thanks for participating in the bloghop. Hope you had fun!
I believe that we all have different timelines. And our success and failures cannot be measured in terms of others. Life does move at a pace when you have kid. Through your window, you captured so many moments, so many thought-provoking stories. Each one of them made me think for a while.
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I loved the name danger journey for your group. In my son’s football class there are girls and I honestly admire them. The man in black sounds interesting. Does he wear both his trouser and shirt black? All black without a tinge of any other colour?I am intrigued by this man and his choice of color.
I can resonate with the thought of a ‘confused mother’ and the fact about human nature. Didn’t knew you live in Bangalore. It’s been a year I am also in the same city. Loved reading this post.
So many thoughts and lives ongoing while we just glance by the window and then start pondering more. Bangalore was the city I once lived.
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There were many stories in this one post and it is true that a lot of time we all wonder about what’s going on in other people’s life.
You know Naba, do what you want, Take a vacation, work on your dreams and just live like you want. Other things will fall in place. This is something I tell myself too when I get into that phase of thinking a lot. A thoughtful piece and while it was personal you got your readers thinking too.
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