Gazing at the horizon, his mind drifted to how everyone sees the same world differently. Everyone around here had their own ideas about what they wanted from life. But in general, most people wanted to make loads of money and be successful.
There was an urge for recognition and status in society. People wanted their kids to do well, to be healthy, and so on.
He wondered how he had missed these two important aspects that make life complete—money and health. They had their place, too. Perhaps the contestant on the ramp had given a better answer than he'd initially thought: health, wealth, and wisdom. She was practical and honest.
He was certain there was no absolute right or wrong here. People made choices based on their experiences, ideas, and abilities. But most people were fixated on earning more, never quite satisfied, always setting a new target once they reached the old one.
As he asked himself deeper questions, his mind became flooded with thoughts, and slowly, the answers began to emerge.
The Captain realized, like his new friend, that he, too, wanted to live fully. To rise to his full potential. To play his part well. To do things because he wanted to, not because they were fashionable.
He sought simplicity—a life where his few needs were met, where he defined success on his own terms, where he could be a good person.
He wished to help others, to give freely, to surrender, to express gratitude, and to empathize. He didn’t want to prove anything to the world. He was seeking love and had realized that he must first learn to give love. He was yearning for fulfillment.
He wanted to be a learning machine, always seeking the new, exploring uncharted territory, growing continuously, and striving to be the best in his field.
By now, it was half past five. He had consumed a large cup of coffee and wondered what had delayed his friend. He hadn’t even asked for her number and thus had no choice but to wait.
Just then, he saw her coming and was fascinated by her grace.
"Hi! I’m so sorry I’m late," she said, slightly breathless. "Traffic was a nightmare."
"It’s alright," he replied with a smile. “It gave me some time to turn over a few things in my mind."
She raised an eyebrow playfully. "Hmm... I thought you didn’t like reflecting."
"You’re right," he admitted. "But things have changed since we met."
She smiled warmly.
"So what have you been thinking about?"
"About…. how can I become a better human being, a better person?"
"That’s a great thought. Did you get an answer?"
"In some measure.” he replied, pausing. "I think it starts with introspection—being brutally honest with oneself. Authenticity is crucial. It’s a journey, and I guess a tough one. But it’s a worthy endeavor.”
"Wow," she said, her eyes bright with curiosity. "Tell me more.”
"I reached this important conclusion just a few minutes ago—not to ask God to change my life but to change me. I feel that the journey of fulfillment starts with this."
"That’s the most profound thing I’ve heard in a long time," she said, her voice soft with admiration. "Tell me more."
"No. I came here to listen to you. I’ve been carrying unanswered questions since last evening."
"Please," she insisted. "You first, then I’ll share my bit."
He nodded, leaning back. "I think I need to understand the interconnectedness in creation —the way everything is woven together. For that, I need to improve my awareness. Be more mindful of the world around me. I have an intuition that I will find love as the binding force in this interconnectedness."
He continued, "Simultaneously, the following cycle starts: explore → seek the 'new,' or create the 'new' → learn → and then explore again.
I must also challenge my belief system, observe my emotions, and notice my thought patterns.
By this time, I should have found some areas for improvement. After absorbing new ideas and thoughts, I must then prepare for a long-drawn war. I would like to call it 'chiseling my block.' It’s said that it takes 10,000 hours of practice to master something, to see the shoots of greatness. That comes to about 3 hours of work every day for the next 10 years."
"And while I work on that, I need to practice compassion, gratitude, and kindness."
"Slowly, very slowly, my consciousness will expand," he mused. "And maybe then, I’ll truly see love as the fundamental force that holds everything together."
She looked at him, awe evident in her gaze. "I’m floored, sir. That’s amazing. Where did you get all this from?"
He shrugged. “I love to read and listen, and though I’m not sure where it all began, I believe we’re shaped by many influences. We absorb information, synthesize it, and ultimately, through this process, we create something new and develop our own unique identity.”
"I couldn’t agree more," she said.
"It’s your turn now. Please help me with this question: WHAT ARE THE THREE THINGS THAT MAKE LIFE COMPLETE?"
"Oh! This was asked to one of the contestants last evening."
"Yes," he nodded. "And I’ve been struggling since then to get an answer."
"I didn’t see you struggling when we were dancing," she teased.
"Oh! I love dancing.” He said with a grin. But before we get distracted, please tell me your answer."
"Alright," she said, leaning forward. "Do you think what a man wants most in life is pleasure?"
He shook his head. "No."
"Well, Sigmund Freud thought so. But Viktor Frankl, a psychologist, stood up to him and said that every man seeks a deep sense of meaning. And when he can’t find that meaning, he distracts himself with pleasure."
She paused, letting her words sink in. "I believe pleasure never truly satisfies anyone. You have to listen to your deepest inner voice and find purpose. I’m talking about a higher purpose. Yes, making money could be someone’s goal, but it won’t fill the void.
True purpose stems from one’s uniqueness and is aimed at serving others. Those who live this way do so with humility and gratitude, sharing whatever they have. They give selflessly, unconditionally. And in that giving, they experience actualization."
She looked at him with intensity. "And as you said, what you give, you receive—love, compassion, kindness. But it has to be authentic, patient, and pure."
He nodded thoughtfully. "That’s powerful. So, ‘purpose’ is one part. What’s the second?"
"You’ve already said it," she smiled. "Love.”
“It’s the most fundamental, the most powerful force. It connects us all. And you can only experience it when you give it. A mother’s love for her child is unconditional, and in return, she receives more love than she could have imagined."
He smiled. "That’s two. And the third?"
She paused, choosing her words carefully. "I wouldn’t call the third thing something that makes life complete. It’s more of a thought to live by. We are constantly bombarded with so many good ideas, and it gets hard to remember them, let alone integrate them into our lives. So this thought - which I borrowed from Paramhansa Yogananda - sums it up: life is a joyous battle of duty, but it’s also a passing dream."
She continued, "Duty is anything that demands our attention. We have a role to play in this cosmic drama. Since this movie—this cosmic drama—is always on, we must give our best in every moment. That’s why they say, live in the moment—because awareness connects us to the present.
But we must also remember that life is transient, and not to take it too seriously. Enjoy the show."
He smiled, impressed. "That’s beautiful. Please sum it up for me."
"1. Give love—unconditionally.
2. Have a purpose in life that expresses your uniqueness and serves the greater good.
3. Give your best in every moment—play your part well. But remember it’s a fleeting dream."
She paused, then added, "This is how you fulfill your destiny. But as you said, the journey must be authentic, and you must remain even-minded."
He exhaled deeply. "This has been overwhelming. The last 24 hours have truly been transformative for me, and I’d love for us to keep meeting. Can we?"
She smiled warmly. "Of course, I would love to. Everything happens for a reason, and I believe there’s a reason why destiny brought us together."
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