Often on our path, Nature gives us clues, it arranges things for us but one is often blind-sided by one's own expectations, misconceptions and misplaced emotions. You know the goal, you may know the path, you may even be aware of the milestones. This is not the complete picture still. You are going to meet other people on your way, however unusual your track may be. You may look upon them as your opponents or allies. They may be selling what you don't want, they may be giving what you don't like, the truth is they are there for a reason, Nature has placed them strategically.

Once upon a time, a traveler got lost in a vast desert. In anticipation of what might happen if he never found his way, he panicked and frantically tried to find a way out, to reach any township. A whole day passed, he ran out of provisions. Evening set in and he slept on the sand, under the open sky. The next morning he resumed his journey with no water or food. As he ranged the desert with no end in sight, he became increasingly nervous. All sorts of thoughts began buzzing in his head.

Soon the sun was shining high and bright. His pace slowed down significantly in that extreme heat and fatigue. He was thirsty, he was hungry, his lips were dry, his mouth parched, and his body tired. Another day passed. Nearly. He was losing hope, strength and time. Just then, at a distance, he saw what he thought was a camp. He experienced a surge of energy. His eyes lit up, though he remained nervous. And a camp indeed it was. A temporary shop. His joy knew no bounds even though his body was giving up. He asked the owner if he could get water. The man said he had no water but he was selling kufiya, an Arabian headdress, a sort of cap. He tried to sell a headdress and even offered a discount. "You'll need it," he said. Our traveler got furious and yelled at his insolent and insensitive behavior that rather than offering water to the one who was dying from hunger and thirst, he was forcing him to buy some hat instead.

The seller pointed north and said, "Five miles from here there's a serai." and went about his business. Somehow, with great difficulty, he managed to walk five miles and exactly as the man had indicated, there was a lodge. "Do you serve food as well here?" he asked the man guarding the door.

"Yes."

"Praise the Lord!" the traveler could not contain his joy, "it's not my time to die yet."

But when he tried to enter, he was stopped by the guard.

"What's the matter? I have money!"

"I'm sorry but I can't let you enter without a headdress! Five miles from here there's a seller. You can buy one from there and come back."

You know where I am going with this? Often on our path, Nature gives us clues, it arranges things for us but one is often blind-sided by one's own expectations, misconceptions and misplaced emotions. You know the goal, you may know the path, you may even be aware of the milestones. This is not the complete picture still. You are going to meet other people on your way, however unusual your track may be. You may look upon them as your opponents or allies. They may be selling what you don't want, they may be giving what you don't like, the truth is they are there for a reason, Nature has placed them strategically.

Om Namah Shivay