There is something exciting and mysterious about the month of October. Maybe it’s the unpredictability of its days. Maybe it’s the way fall sneaks up quietly, stunningly, and there is an anticipation in the air, a thrill. A warning in the evening chill, a reminder that summer is long gone. A cold wind comes swooping down every now and then as if to say ‘fasten your seat belts!’- for the plunge into the long cold months of winter.
Memories linger and there is a magical, mystical quality to everything around. It’s a month of celebrations.The darkness of Halloween ghosts and ghouls, the brilliance of Diwali, the Festival of Lights. Religious festivals from different cultures that have evolved over the ages and we don costumes and smiles and jump right in as if under a spell.
What is it about this time of year that makes me go looking for things beyond what the eyes can see? What is it that the universe doesn’t want revealed? Even the sly slanting rays of the sun and the whispering autumn trees try to distract me with their brilliance. This October, I decided to stay vigilant, ears sharp to the ground, mind focused. I was certain there were clues everywhere if only I knew to read them..
The attempt to read tea leaves made me go cross eyed so I looked to the dog. She makes these strange sounds in her sleep. Certain that her superior sixth sense might be sending some signal, I observed her very closely. Opening her eyes, she sneezed in my face, turned around and went back to deep sleep. I resorted to plan C- rather, all things the eyes did see.
I scoured the world ( ok, the 5 mile radius of my world) for signs of any kind. Suddenly everything spoke to me, undeniable words of wisdom. Tea bags, chocolates, bottle caps, even my good friend’s shoes.
(RESIST TEMPTATION)
(ALWAYS THOUGHT IT WAS THE OTHER WAY AROUND)
(SOMETIMES THE UNIVERSE SOUNDS EXACTLY LIKE YOUR SIBLING)
(WHICH CANCELS OUT THE ABOVE)
(JUST CHOCOLATE AND I? NO PROBLEM)
(MY WALLET DISAGREES)
(OK. DONE.)
(DO NOT BUY CHEAP MAKEUP. GOT IT)
(CAN I PICK MALTA?)
In trying to decipher these messages, I ultimately had a few grand revelations.. My dog has no sense. Sixth or otherwise.The universe simply goes about its business of existing. It’s when there is conflict within that man turns to the universe for answers and signs. And the greatest secret of all- even if there were such signs, man is again the interpreter. And hence, the answers lie within oneself too.
Unpredictable, mysterious, beautiful and brilliant, October is perhaps a reflection, symbolic of all of man’s capabilities. Magic waiting to be unlocked if one knows to interpret and live by this simple rule- “to thine own self be true” (And love thy dog unconditionally).
Oh that was nicely thought and written. I am becoming such a big fan of you, already! I could actually see the “screenplay” while reading it… Here is my 2 cents about the “October Emotion”
October has multiple feelings that makes it as special as it is, the setting-in of the monsoon/Winter (India/US); the beginning of the festive season; the beginning of the last quarter of the year (for corporates like me, who have a target to achieve) and so on…
Because we are at the end of the year, we start to retrospect, what we did right and wrong? What was most exciting and not-so-exciting? And just when these thoughts are prevalent and we’re trying to “digest” the whole thing, it’s followed by the excitement of the Holiday season (Whichever part of the World you are in), plans for Thanksgiving, Black Friday, Turkeys and champagnes and what not. All this followed by Christmas, and the New Year. Resolutions and newer things… the thought of changing your calendar and diary (if we use one)…
And like you said, since the year is ending, we start focusing on the words unsaid, feelings unexpressed… and it is just the beginning of yet another roller coaster ride that we battle with our heart and mind… Clearly, you’re not alone there, yeah?
-Peace-
~M
Good observation!