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Small Radius

It was heart-warming to read the story of this farmer and his small yet happy world. He oneness with nature is likely the secret to his peace:

Autumn is my favourite time of the year, with all the colours of the leaves: it’s just beautiful. Cuckoos come here every April, and I look forward to hearing them. A lot of people, locals and birdwatchers, come here wanting to hear the cuckoo, but they don’t stop long enough; sometimes they don’t even leave their cars. This makes me feel so sad that I actually cry a bit; it pains me that others don’t get to enjoy it. I urge people to get out of their cars and walk up the road to hear the birdsong.

Reading this reminded me of the periods in my life when I felt the most peaceful. Almost always it had to do with being able to enjoy small details in nature. Watching rain turn dusty leaves glistening green, the smell of jasmine and honeysuckle in the air, watching a bird pecking at a mirror that hung in the balcony, collecting chanterelles in the woods - unlike this farmer, I never had firm roots anywhere so my surroundings have changed a lot over the years. There is a certain joy to sameness and not everyone has what it takes to savor it. This also reminded me of my college buddy K who told me recently that her life has remained the same forever - she goes some place and returns home at the end of the day - school, college and place of work. She is a creature of very steady habits and her radius is very well defined. Some may find it boring but for K that is the source of her peace - much like this farmer

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