- An old man inspecting his face in a small handheld mirror.
- A man with a backpack walking.
- A squirrel running across the wall to the tree, up the branch and back.
- An elderly woman at the balcony, looking this way and that.
- A youngish plump woman walking briskly.
- A young man running his hand through his bedhead
- A school girl hurrying to get ready for school.
It is a beautiful morning and I set out for the gym down the road, looking forward to a vigorous workout. No wires attached. Just a pleasant start to my day.
My first stop is the treadmill. I press the “quick start”, set the speed, and get ready to do some brisk music-coordinated walking, thanks to the thumping beat from the speaker. It is Cheap Thrills by Sia. Catchy!
I appreciate the glass walls that encompass my gym. It offers a clear view of the road for a good 50 meters. I am glad the gym makes a nice vantage point to watch, observe, think.
I particularly love the treadmill as I can set it and get a good cardio workout as my mind wanders quite happily. I can shift the focus away from myself.
It is a great time to just look.
Observe.
Be mindful.
And I spy…
An old man inspecting his face in a small handheld mirror.
He has a lot of grey hair, so what is he trying to look at? Perhaps a wart on his forehead? Has something gone into his eye? Is he just wondering how the time has gone? Does he feel it has gone too soon? Does he have regrets?
♥
A man with a backpack walking.
Is he off to work? Why does he look so downcast? Is he unwell? Did he go to the doc? Did he not wake up happy? Did someone yell at him? Did he have to skip breakfast? Is he worried about a relationship? Is he married? Does he have kids? How old are they? What does his wife do? Is he carrying lunch? Will he eat at a restaurant? Does he walk to work? Is his workplace far away? What does he do? Is he carrying an umbrella?
♥
A squirrel running across the wall to the tree, up the branch and back.
It pauses. What is it eating? Does it live nearby? Does it have friends? How old is it? What does it do when it rains?
♥
An elderly woman at the balcony, looking this way and that.
Is she waiting for someone? The milkman, the newspaper, the vegetable vendor? Or the flower lady with the little garland packed in a leaf that she leaves on the wall near the gate? Is she waiting for someone to arrive from out of town? Is she wondering if the train is late? Has she had coffee? Does she live alone? Who else lives with her? What does she do all day?
♥
A youngish plump woman walking briskly.
Pulling at her top which is rather tight. Adjusting her hair. Carrying a small bag. Is she off to the market? What does she plan to buy? Does she have siblings? Does she go to college? What subjects might she choose?
♥
A young man running his hand through his bedhead
He steps out onto his balcony dressed in a vest and shorts. Yawns lazily. One hand moves to his crotch to scratch. Then he stretches. Places his hands on the railing and leans forward to look below. Ah, the tea shop. Calls out to someone. Has words. Laughs. Waves. Goes back in, presumably to get started with his day. What does his day look like? Where does he work? Does he drive a motorcycle? Does he dress jazzily or conservatively? Does he shave every day? Will he meet up with friends in the evening? Does he drink? Smoke? Does he stay out late?
♥
A school girl hurrying to get ready for school.
She packs her bag on her porch as she waits for the school bus to pick her up. Mom’s busy finishing packing her lunch and rushes out to make sure she’s carrying it. After the girl puts her lunch box into her bag, mom pulls her close, hugs and then adjusts her ribbons, gives her a kiss as they hear the sound of the school bus’s horn and laughing, the girl runs out to board it and waves to her mom. Is she excited to go to school? Meet her friends?
As my time on the treadmill draws to a close, I finally look ahead of me, at my reflection on the mirrored wall. I walk briskly in tune to the beat of the music playing on the speakers.
I smile.
I feel a sense of gratitude to get a peek into others’ lives.
I feel grateful for mine.
I turn around to see my son busy working out at the cross trainers.
I wave at him to signal it is time to go home and he smiles back.
I know it will be another 10 minutes before he’s done.
I go stand by the balcony railing that spans the sides of the gym. I watch the children playing, running on the ground below as I stretch and flex.
Yes, life is good.
No wires attached. Yet, I am connected to life.
Another wonderful day is about to begin.
How’s your day going?
23 comments
Loved the everyday observations and the questions our mind attaches to each of them even as it captures the fleeting moments in a quick flash. So nice to be connected without the wires 🙂
Uma recently posted…Why I love my weekend mornings
Thank you so much Uma!
Vidya Sury recently posted…No Wires Attached, But Connected
your gym does have a great vantage point…Our gym is completely closed and has no view at all! No wonder I prefer to give it a skip
I wasn’t a fan of gyms until I found this one, Sunita!
Vidya Sury recently posted…An Impromptu Date With Nature
I could relate to this post on so many fronts. Feeling connected with the world the way you have described has been my favorite way of working out to stay distracted during work-out.
Loved your observations & the way you stay grateful for all the big and small joys life has gifted us 🙂
My Era recently posted…My Favorite Nature Stories
Thank you My Era! I really enjoy the people watching and I love that our gym has glass walls with a great view of the world going by. Small joys make big big happinesses! 🙂
Vidya Sury recently posted…No Wires Attached, But Connected
Your gym is like the viewing point of so many stories… My day is going good. Mom is here so I’m so relieved… She takes care of everyone and me, like a little girl, let her. Looking forward to a good day with M and mom, laughing, playing and having a good time 🙂
Nabanita recently posted…The Nightingale – My Thoughts On The Book
Wow! Enjoy the love, Naba! Be happy!
Vidya Sury recently posted…Ever wondered what is the Secret of Happiness?
I love all your observations … Sometimes I do the same in the train … and assign a story to them too. It’s fun and makes us connect with people at a different level. I have been busy giving a bottle a makeover 😛
Rajlakshmi recently posted…DIY Home Decor – Wool & a Bottle
You’re right, Raj. I love to do that too. Best thing is when we keep seeing them regularly and weave a parallel story! Loved your DIY bottle!
Vidya Sury recently posted…Ever wondered what is the Secret of Happiness?
So very interesting, Vids. I could actually visualize you in that gym looking out. I do that too, a lot. People watch! And l wonder why? I sometimes think wicked thoughts as well. ? My dad today was hectic. We had our colony’s AGM. Had some pick up and drop duties for the elder son and the kids finish their first FAs tomorrow so Yippee! ?
Rachna Parmar recently posted…8 Years of Rachna Says and a Giveaway
Haha, I think wicked thoughts too! First FAs done? Seems like the new academic year started only yesterday! Before you know it, the next one will start! Hugs! Thank you, Rachna!
Vidya Sury recently posted…21 easy ways to make you feel instantly happy
Loved all your observations of the people around you while you were working out. I, too, like to imagine what people are doing as they go about their lives. I’m a great people watcher. Maybe some think I’m being nosy but people are so fascinating, aren’t they? And a great source of inspiration for story ideas, too.
Cathy Graham recently posted…Twilight Moon
Right you are, Cat! Great for the imagination and keep the mind busy! Weirdly, I sometimes feel close to these people I’ve never met!
Vidya Sury recently posted…Ever wondered what is the Secret of Happiness?
Lovely observations! It is great, isn’t it how your mind and thoughts roll while looking at people and building their stories in our heads. I often do that too! I had a relaxed Sunday today, finally showed some love to my blog… 🙂
Aditi Kaushiva recently posted…Snow, Express trains and Cheese fondue #SwitzerlandTravels Part 1
And I adored your post, Aditi! Looking forward to the rest of the series! It is wonderful to observe what is around us!
Vidya Sury recently posted…Ever wondered what is the Secret of Happiness?
It was a great weekend- Lovely weather, Finished writing for Write tribe 7-day marathon, Took my 2 -year old for a haircut. I am thankful for the plan Life had for me. I wonder how our mind sync our Body moments to the tunes of Music even when something else is going on in our minds.
upasna recently posted…Kerry@Her Headache: A day in the life of a Blogger
Yay for you Upasna! Sounds like you’ve been quite busy!
Vidya Sury recently posted…Ever wondered what is the Secret of Happiness?
I love doing this, too Vidya… “spying” while on the treadmill. Relate so very much to this post.
I know, right, Nisha! 🙂 Thanks for coming by!
Vidya Sury recently posted…Ever wondered what is the Secret of Happiness?
Love the post title, loved the thoughts woven by your inquisitive mind and wonderful words. I always leave your blog posts with a smile on my face. Thank you:)
Hehe. Thank you Mayuri. What a lovely comment! Hugs!
Vidya Sury recently posted…Ever wondered what is the Secret of Happiness?
I adore this post, the way it is written, the message it brought me, everything about it. I read it and felt peaceful and yet inspired. It made em want to be more present right now, thank you #mg