Friday, March 29, 2024 | Ramadan 18, 1445 H
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EDITOR IN CHIEF- ABDULLAH BIN SALIM AL SHUEILI

In journey of life, we are all like boats in the sea

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The cosmos is within us. We are made of star-stuff. We are a way for the universe to know itself,” US cosmologist Carl Sagan had said.


I remember interviewing an astronomer who explained the connection between cosmos and humans. Another thought-provoking quote from Carl Sagan says: “The nitrogen in our DNA, the calcium in our teeth, the iron in our blood, the carbon in our apple pies were made in the interiors of collapsing stars.”


What is interesting to know is how closely we are connected to earth. It was a sea journey from Muscat to Khasab. Weathermen had forecast a normal summer day in Oman Sea but a few kilometres into the journey we encountered rough sea.


Captain of the vessel Hormuz, Radostin Dechev explained, “The monsoon influence in the Indian Ocean is so strong that on this particular day that it is having an impact on Oman Sea as well. Weather is totally unpredictable.”


Doesn’t that characteristic remind us of something else? Humans are unpredictable too. Like the ocean currents, we are often influenced by many exterior and interior elements. The concept of ‘vibes’ has been popularised but how often do we sit back and think what element in our surroundings has influenced our thoughts and actions?


We have taken time to understand nature and its influences because we have felt the need to prevent calamities. Yet we do not value our personal existence in a deeper sense.


So Oman Sea enjoyed rocking the vessel but there were experts who have mastered such situations. The journey was handled well.


Someone like me who had refused the tablet for sea sickness could only wonder about the sea motion and appreciate the beauty of gravity on land. How we take gravity for granted.


I learnt that although the notes onboard said do not run on the vessel, there were times you had to match the flow of the rocking ship. The faster I moved, I thought it gave me more balance. I watched the cabin crew, who made me think again. They were calm. When they stood, they were well-balanced. The wider the feet on the vessel floor, better the balance.


We are all like boats in the sea. As we reached Khasab port, we saw a beautiful, docked yacht which was gently being cradled by the sea.


This is like our lives. No matter how much we want to have a normal life, we should remember that the sea is never standstill. There are currents and winds at play.


Fortunately, or unfortunately, we don’t have something similar to sea sick tablets.


As one of the cabin crew explained, “The tablet basically would just let you sleep.” There were many who were fast asleep, oblivious to the roughness of the sea. In life though, there are times one might want to feel numb to the situations one has to go through, but the fact is we want to live life and not sleep through it.


One thing I noticed when going out on a speed boat to explore marine life was the experience at sea was different. It was the wind on the face, taste of salt in the air and the fresh air that probably kept the reality manageable. Bringing into focus the importance of being connected to reality.


Then again, don’t get me wrong. When in sea on a big vessel, have a sea sickness tablet and enjoy a trouble-free journey. Most importantly, listen to the crew and enjoy the ride. Sea and life will continue to rock non-stop. That is just the way the universe works.


Lakshmi Kothaneth


lakshmiobserver@gmail.com


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