FRAGRANCE

FRAGRANCE

We are all familiar with the words ‘practice makes perfect’, so familiar that we never stop to think about the implications that have made it such a common expression. Let us rephrase the words as ‘Whatever you practise, you will perfect,’ and look for the beauty they conceal!

First, we can practise any number of skills, and the more we practise, the nearer we will be to expertise and the elusive goal of perfection. An athlete or player can train his body and master his game, and it will be a while before age takes away his agility. An orator who has put in enough practice will carry his skill long into his elderly years.

Any skill practised will bring along its own discipline and self control. The artist will patiently carry the wonder of his imagination within him till he is able to paint it on canvas, the marksman will master his nerves and hold his breath till the moment he squeezes off the shot. The boxer will co-ordinate his balance, timing and force. The eager student will delve into the vast mysteries of his subject with a gusto, eager to understand, and unafraid of the new ideas that loom ahead.

Second, we can practise our attitude. It is up to us whether we want to make a repetitive habit of dullness or brightness, caring or callousness, insolence or respect, industry or laziness, gloom or joy, brooding or delight, fear or wonder, selfishness or compassion, complaining or gratitude, attractiveness or repulsiveness, health or sickness, glow or dullness.

Whatever we practise, we will perfect, and our attitude will become our disposition and nature, our philosophy, and beauty not to be dulled by age.

Skill, attitude, philosophy; we can choose, practise, and perfect the way we wish to spend our time on earth, what we wish to carry as an aura around us, what we wish to pay back to the efforts and memory of our elders, what we wish to impart in hope, joy, and love to our children.

“Kunjre ki si haat hai duniya,

 Jins hai saari ikatthi;

 Meethi chaahe meethi le le,

 Khatti chaahe khatti”

(Lines from the title song of a television drama from Pakistan named Manchale Ka Sauda, by Ashfaq Ahmad. Highly recommended watching!)

The world is like a grocery shop

Where all products are gathered;

If you wish to take sweet, take the sweet,

Want bitter, take the bitter.

We can choose and pursue what we wish to imbibe from our parents, teachers, books, jobs, children, society, nature, religions and God. We can decide and practise what we wish to impart to others or leave behind as our legacy.

Do we have the Courage to love our neighbour? Do we have the will to leave our home or neighbourhood a wee bit better for our having been here?

We can choose to amass or to share. We can choose to ignore or to care. Understand! We could well have been that miserable wretch living in his own muck by the pavement, watching an uncaring world go by. It is not an accident that we are in a position to help or comfort someone; it is a blessing to be used or wasted. The glow inside is ours, to radiate or to smother.

Our intentions adorn our countenance, and Beauty begins from the heart.

Remember, the hand that distributes flowers retains their fragrance. Let us practise, and perfect, the art of distributing flowers!