Jai SriRam
February 2020
I had gone to San Diego, California to visit a friend. We decided to visit Cabrillo National Monument and the coves along the coastline. We parked near the coves, and noticed a great location to sit and watch the waves. It was tucked deep in the coves, and would require some careful treading on jagged rocks. We slowly and carefully made our way over to the area, sighed, and sat to relax our view that we had earned from that hike.
As we enjoyed our prized area, a teenage girl approached. “Hi! I was wondering if you could go stand where my friend is, so that my friend and I can have a photo taken from the spot you’re sitting?” she asked. She pointed to her friend, who was jumping up and down, waving, so far away she looked like an ant, beyond another rocky obstacle course from where we were. Is she for real??
Rather than saying no, or telling the girl my internal dialogue, which was (we worked hard to get to this spot, found it first, and now you’re asking me to walk all the way over there so I can be your Instagram photographer??), I agreed, and my friend and I commenced the trek over to the ant like teenager. We finally approached the girl. I asked for her phone to take the photo, and instead she handed me a clunky and heavy contraption. “We would like our photo taken with this polaroid camera.” She said. “That means you have to click the button exactly when the waves are hitting the rocks, and shake the photo after. We want the photo to be of the waves crashing against the rock and we want a large splash. There are only three polaroids left, so please click wisely.” You’ve got to me kidding me. I need an instruction sheet to take this girls photo?? My blood started to heat up within my veins, but rather than voicing my irritation directly, I swallowed it, and begrudgingly, my friend and I took the photos for the girls.
After we got the shot, we motioned a thumbs up, and they trekked back over to us. We gave them their equipment and photos, my lips sealed to my true thoughts, and we headed back to our spot. Right when I sat down, I started venting to my friend. “I would never ask strangers to get up from their spot and walk all that way to take my picture! So selfish and immature, I cannot believe they had the gall, so shameless!” As I was venting, I felt a gentle tap on my shoulder from behind. I turned around, and it was one of the girls. “I took this for you” she said, in a calm and sweet voice. She handed me a polaroid -- she had taken a photo of my friend and I from behind, staring at the ocean from our spot. I instantly felt my cheeks burn and my heart fall into my stomach. HE had caught me red handed. I felt so bad, knowing I was badmouthing these girls, and they still used one of their polaroids to take a photo and give it to me.
Nitinmama teaches that we should frequently introspect on our own faults and defects rather than criticize others. I realized that by calling these girls selfish and immature behind their back, I was reinforcing the selfishness and immaturity within myself. To show me my flaws, HE took a photo OF ME, literally from behind my back, and presented it to me, opening my eyes to this defect within. And in Nitinmama fashion, the scolding of that weekend also included pampering. I saw blue whales, dolphins, sea lions, and that night, I saw a shooting star for the first time in my life. He showed me my flaws along with HIS wonders. Thank YOU Nitinmama, for showing me my flaws, and that You are here helping me, making me a better person in Your eyes.
Jai SriRam
21-07-2020 11:37 pm / POSTED BY : Meghna Rao / Where the Experience took place : San Diego, California
