“Oh shoot!” was the first thing my tongue rolled out when I saw the essay deadline. The students sitting beside me in the university library looked to me for a brief second. I quickly realized my gaffe and silenced myself. Still, I was worried about getting my work done.
I thought, “9th of February? How am I going to do this?” It was the 4th already and I barely knew what to write.
I didn’t have the necessary facts to complete my draft – how many people had watched Narendra Modi’s speech at the Madison Square Gardens on the television?
Was it a real media event or perhaps it was a mere media spectacle? As these thoughts kept recurring, it became apparent to me that in a journalism class, there was no obvious answer.
Anything could be true and everything could be proved false. But I had 500 words to prove my point that the iconic Modi speech in New York was a real, important media event.
I took respite in the fact that I had at least given 1000 words in the draft but when reality hit me – I realized the draft was unorganized, missing important facts; and most of all, lacking inspiration, or the motivation to move forward at all.
I only stared at the computer screen; my mind beginning to lose the ability to think at all. Surely I had had my coffee today; why then, was I lost in the uncannily perfect world of my unconscious mind?
Tiing! The message notification on my phone brought me back from my stupor. The students looked to me again – some in a menacing look – as I put my phone on silent and checked the message.
Sigh. The editor of a magazine I am interning with wanted me to do another article.
I love this internship but however will I juggle between my studies and my job? Besides, it is too risky to do extra-curricular activities in the third and final year – when grades and studies are too important to be toyed with.
And not to mention, I had another internship opportunity coming up. Still, I thought that all this was an excruciating amount of work to deal with.
I just stood up from the library desk and walked out without thinking or taking anything. My phone, laptop, wallet, and books – everything just left in the library in good faith.
I needed fresh air. I wanted to just walk without having any clear destination in mind; without having anything to carry in my hands. I was going to fold my hands and walk like I had no worries at all.
A nice guy opened the door for me in the main hallway. Once I thanked him, winter’s breeze smoothly caressed my face and hands.
The breath of fresh air. As the sunlight kissed my face, I realized that this is what I needed – something to warm my heart, to look around, to feel, to give me inspiration.
I walked towards the end of the pathway. I looked at the people, the trees, the birds; I would never have thought that nature could exist so beautifully in the most concrete jungles….
The walk was beautiful but I was obligated to return to work. Refreshed, I began writing, which suddenly came so naturally to me.
I re-organised my essay, structured it well, and finally submitted it. After I submitted it, I thought to myself that sometimes we need a break from reality.
For doing that will not only enhance creativity but also refresh us.
Now, whether this ‘break’ is for 15 minutes or 15 days, or even 15 months, we need it – just remember to return to reality.
Untamed Reflections 