Dear Umaiyal,
You are turning one today, and I am still gleefully struggling to contain the overflowing joy that you filled my heart with, one year ago. I firmly believe in miracles, but not in a way that miracles happen out of luck or blessing out of thin air, but more logically, we only just don’t know the trick and timing behind it. Just like how a magician’s card trick which amuses and amazes our eyes, but when we get to see how the trick was done, it’s no longer a magic to our brains. You are one such miracle, and I shall never attempt to know what made you, the miracle and magic of my life, happen.
Now that is something relevant to what I have in mind to share with you, on one of these open letters. The world I’ve brought you in to, which I myself had no clue how I came to be here for long, is something filled with such magic, good and bad. At this point of time, in human history, there is no fine line between what's real and what's not. You will grow up seeing screens with people talking, singing, dancing among a lot of other things. I want to give you a sense of clarity and the power of distinguishing lies from truths right from the day you begin to understand language, which is something I wish I had been given from my dad, when I was young.
I have made an oath to educate you as fast as possible, so you get to comprehend these letters at a very young age, say 7 or 8, at least before 10. Because these letters hold important value that shall go beyond ripe if you are older than that when you read them.
Bitter truth and Sugary lies
As you grow up, you will learn that Bitterness, in food, improves immunity. Bitterness in life, improves your immunity against lies, deception and regrets. The world you have come into, has all the power to make you believe that everything's sweet and alright, but truly, it's not.
This world is crumbling, at best, due to the carelessness of humans, including myself.
and it needs inaction more than action, a frugal living, sustainable innovations and conscious actions by people, including you, to heal.
I know that the world is presenting you with a great deal of responsibility at a young age. But believe me dear, my generation was even worse. We were not even aware of the environmental issues the planet was facing during our childhood, as we were occupied with playing video games and watching TV. This is not to say that our childhood was bad or negative in any way, but rather that it could have been more informed and conscious. We still have a chance And you still have got the time.
Why am I writing letters to you, when I live in an era where I can record a high resolution video easily? Because I want you to read more than 'watch'; think more than 'see'. And it's my mind more than my face which is important in our blessed relationship. I am dreaming of reading and learning a lot, together, to grow up once again with you.
All in all, I want your childhood to be filled with your potential as a conscious human being flowing outwards, not the world's power to deceive, engulfing you from within.
Let's shift the focus from the planet to life for a moment. Your birth has brought me immense joy and pride as a father. While I aspire to be the best father I can be for you, I understand that being perfect is not a realistic expectation. Instead of telling you sugar-coated lies or fairy tales, I want to be honest with you and provide a childhood that is authentic and fulfilling.
I want to be truthful to you, just as I am with people around me, of my same age. The world will always drive your focus narrowly towards impermanent things in life, such as, your looks, your material possessions etc. But you will learn better to widen your vision on far important things such as being kind, compassionate and brave, even when the world around you leaves you alone.
Being born in this planet is an opportunity for your soul, engrave this into your memory as deep as possible. An opportunity to learn, be kind, and embrace diversity, and the process happens every passing moment, be mindful and never miss a moment.
At the surface, all these could be easily interpreted as 'making your life boring'; but we will learn together that a life of truthfulness, compassion and simplicity has its own moments of fascination, surprises and joy(more than pleasure). I wish I could tell you all my heart in one letter, but for the sake of brevity, discipline and consistency, I shall limit my letters to be minimal and worth your time.
See you soon in next letter. Stay smiling, stay blessed and Happy Birthday!
Love,
Appa.
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