I often hear people asking this question “Do you prefer the mountains or the sea?” and most people also have a response basis what they prefer. I am at a loss of words when posed with such a question. The struggle continues even when this question is posed in another way “Are you a guy who likes the hills or the beaches?” No, not because I cannot make choices! But when it comes to mountains and the sea, I just don’t have a preference or rather I prefer both. My preference for each of the two is dependent on which state of life I am in and what I am going through.
To me, the mountain and the sea both have their own beauty, their own relevance and their own connection with me. I can sit for hours by the sea or with the mountains in front of me. Both the sea and the mountain are great companions to have. I can never feel alone when I have them for company. I can have conversations with both. They both listen to me and then give me some great advice and lessons of life.
So when do I prefer the sea and what do I learn from the mountains or vice versa?
I like to sit and watch the sea during those phases of my life when I am struggling to achieve something, when things seem impossible and life starts looking difficult. Do you know why?
Because the sea signifies HOPE to me. It inspires and instills a sense of belief. The waves that come towards me do not give up and continue doing their job, despite knowing that after the highs and the lows, they will crash near the shore. Whether they will be high or low is also influenced by external factors like the moon and the wind, but that does not stop them from joining hands and trying to create a symphony of sorts with the way they rise and form a chain from one end of the sea to the other.
Isn’t that like life itself? The end is known but that does not mean that one stops living and doing the things that one wants to do. One should strive to go out there and collaborate with the world to deliver on whatever you have set out to do.
On the other end of the sea, I notice the horizon. This is where the sun meets the sea every evening. That tells me that the journey is far but the result will be beautiful. It also tells me that what lies ahead is unknown but I will discover that only when I reach there.
So if the sea is all about hope, what are the mountains about?
The mountains signify to me a SENSE OF ACHIEVEMENT. Mountains are places I like to visit when I have succeeded in something I had set to do, when I have accomplished something. This is because when I see the mountain, I see someone standing tall, being admired for its accomplishments and enjoying the fruits of its success. It tells me that once in a while, when a lot of hard work has been done, you need to sit back and enjoy the moment and feel the sense of achievement. The peaks tell me that you will be remembered for your results and not your efforts.
These are lessons that cannot be learnt by just one trip to the sea or the mountain. Every time that you go there, it gives you a different perspective on life. It doesn’t matter to me whether I am at a place which has a sea or a place which has mountains as both these places make me feel alive!
So the best place for me would be a place that has the mountains as well as the sea. Any recommendation guys?
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| Mountains in Uttaranchal Clicked in Dec'2012 |
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| The Arabian Sea as seen from Mumbai Clicked in Aug'2013 |
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| A place that is far more beautiful than you can see in this pic. A combination of mountain and lake (not the sea) - Vevey, Switzerland Clicked in Apr'2012 |
