Today, I woke up at 5:15 AM to the sound of my alarm. I dismissed it and, with heavy eyes, tried to get up. In the stillness of my room, which is attached to the balcony, the sounds of nature filled the air: birds and squirrels chirping, parrots chattering, crows cawing, and an eagle's high-pitched call. It all felt so close, as if they were right next to me, begging for my attention. Despite my lower back pain, I did some gentle stretches in bed before making my way to the balcony. The morning was grey and drizzly, promising a mizzly day ahead without any thunder or lightning. In the quiet, I felt deeply connected to the world around me, as if I were part of the animal, bird, and plant kingdoms, sharing a moment of serene unity.

A Bilva tree, also known as Aegle Marmelos or Bel Patra in Hindi, stands close to my balcony. The bel fruit hanging from its branches makes the tree bend slightly, giving it a beautiful, hanging shape. Squirrels chirp on the branches, either nibbling their tails or enjoying the fruits. It was mesmerizing to see so much liveliness; the trees seemed to dance. Adorable baby squirrels played and jumped around. The money plant sprouted new stems, and the Banyan tree grew new leaves, making it feel like the whole kingdom was brimming with happiness. The noise of the outside world seemed to vanish, replaced by a deep silence that connected aligning me perfectly with nature.

Everything in nature moved at its own pace, enjoying, flying, birds drinking water, and full of life. For a minute, there was a merging of my inner silence and nature's beauty and silence. This was a Eureka Moment for me. That one minute of silence and awareness sparked something deep inside. There are many mini-universes within us, and they awaken when we become aware. I loved the moment; I was enjoying it, flowing with it and what not that suddenly, my phone beeped with a WhatsApp message.

And just like that, the silence ended. I tried to ignore it, but the moment of stillness was over. It's true—you can offer all the suggestions, facts, and figures you want, but the moment a phone rings, a gap forms between nature and me, as my mind drifts to a distraction. This is how other distractions also creep into our lives. A phone, just a small device that fits in my palm, has the power—not only physically, but mentally, emotionally, and psychologically—to pull me away. My silent moment ended, and I tried to reconnect with nature. But the moment was gone. I could still enjoy it physically, but reconnecting with that same spiritual depth was elusive. That connection happens in a fraction of a second, a golden touch of the soul with nature. You too can feel it if you genuinely immerse yourself in the moment, believing that the nature within you is the same as the nature outside you

In this digital world, the song you listened to last night lingers in your mind when you wake up in the morning. The video you posted occupies your thoughts, wondering about the number of likes, views, reach, and organic engagement it received. This constant rush of daily activities prevents us from appreciating the gifts we already have—gifts that require no ticket to experience, and are forever free to us. Amidst this digital frenzy, it’s crucial to connect with yourself to deliver something genuine and natural. Only by doing so we can rediscover the special, satisfying moments that the modern world often overshadows. Can we truly replace the song from last night with the music of the morning breeze and birds?

Food for thought:

One beep, one volume, can distract you so much. The craving to check your phone, the fingers itching to touch the sensors and buttons. Such a small thing has the power to disturb you, to take you away from what you were enjoying. Are the selfies, messages, and calls really that important? Think about it.

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