My Rambles

Numero Cinq reminded me of a place I visited long back in 2018 in Italy, Cinque Terre which literally means Five lands.

It was a heavenly place with deep blue water and not as crowded as other touristy places. It was unfortunately a day trip but I still fell in love with the beaches, the steep cliff next to deep blue water and the Cafe perched on the cliff taking in the unexplored, unadulterated beauty across the horizon.

Having said that, I stood out on the beach like a pot hole on an expressway, fully clothed and my husband hell bent on clicking pictures in which an elephant can pass for a deer.

So what are my five anchors which keep me grounded in confidence:

• Respect for my word – If I don’t respect my commitment, how would others respect me; though not sure if anyone still respects me.
• Integrity – I would not say that I don’t lie, I do but largely innocuous fibs spinned to avoid hurting others; maybe that’s how the thief rationalizes before robbing a bank.
• Ennui from Comfort Zone – While I love my sofa and my food, I don’t like to get too comfortable at work. I ensure to dive in to something else which ensures that I keep growing, at least that’s what ensues.
• My analytical skills – They probably are my biggest strengths and have probably saved me from the sharks despite my laziness, sharks being life, work etc.
• Balanced Care – The fact that I care but I also know when to let go, whether it’s about people or work; I don’t really care about non living things much.

As the sun sets over Cinque Terre, turning the sky into an Instagram-worthy backdrop (which, by the way, my husband tried to capture, with me awkwardly posing in the foreground), I couldn’t help but draw parallels to my own ‘colorful’ life. Each of my self-proclaimed ‘five anchors’ – which, let’s be honest, sometimes feel more like five random scatterings of birdseed – are what make me, well, me.

In the grand tapestry of life, places like Cinque Terre are the vibrant threads that add depth and beauty. They remind us to embrace our quirks – whether it’s sticking out on a beach fully clothed or spinning innocuous fibs to spare someone’s feelings. Maybe I haven’t found my ‘funny pen’ yet, and sure, I sometimes question if my ramblings make any sense. But hey, isn’t that part of the adventure?

So, as I wrap up this post (and yes, I’m as surprised as you are that I managed to stick to a theme), I realize that it’s okay to be a bit like Cinque Terre: unexpectedly charming, slightly unpredictable, and a blend of many different, sometimes conflicting, parts. And if that means occasionally feeling like a pothole on the expressway of life, well, at least I hope I’m an interesting one!