Handicapped by Our Limited Thinking!

I was in Old Colorado City downtown last weekend, and had stopped by Starbucks for morning refreshment. While I was sitting there and looking around observing folks in the room (my favorite time pass), my eyes fell on a cyclist (biker) sitting at the other end of the hallway. He caught my attention. He probably was in his late 50s. Lean built, in his cycling gear enjoying his coffee. And I was captivated by him.

That's when I closely looked at the bike that was leaning against the wall right in front of me. I smiled with respect for that person. His right arm was amputated from the wrist and right leg from a little above his knee. His bike was customized to have only one handlebar and one pedal. On the right of the bike there was one cushion near the seat where he could rest his amputated leg; and another next to handlebar where he could rest his arm.

I looked back at him keenly. He was stirring his coffee with left hand, and moving around on the rolling chair towards the window facing table. He looked fatigued but there was no tiredness. He was very much enjoying his coffee after probably a long ride.

I just looked out of the door and stared into infinity. Started thinking about myself and people I know. I don't like running, I feel like my heart will just pop out of my chest. I literally puff and pant like a dog. I just give up. But here I was, feeling so small in front of this person. Although he was sitting there silently all by himself, I felt that he was saying when I can do why can't you?

Isn't it so true. We all limit ourselves to the boundaries of what we can and can't. We build the fences around our mind and heart; limiting our thoughts, actions, emotions etc... We think that there are things that we cannot do but truly there is so much that we can and yet we let our fears control things for us.

There were times when I used to think so but not anymore. I picked up the philosophy quite early in my age - If he can, then why can't I. I embedded it in my attitude, so much that now its in my nature to take up challenges. I might not be as good as him, but I won't be a complete failure if I try with true heart. It's all in our mind. If we think that we will not be able to do certain things, then we never will. We need to face our fears, and fight them to get better. There is absolutely no one in this world who can tell you what you can and cannot other than yourself.

I have learnt a lot of new things during these last few years, and mainly because now I no longer limit my interests or hobbies or thoughts.

So yes, I ran 3.4 miles once I was back home. I was tired, panted like crazy, stopped at times, literally dragged myself back home, but I ran. It was a start and thanks to a friend with whom I ran, who was a great positive influence. Now I try to run every alternate day. And it's not that bad after all.

I will always remember this person. I see a lot of physically challenged people but never get to analyze someone so closely. I was in there for only 10 minutes, but that was more than enough time to leave an impact on my soul. It felt like, he wasn't the one who was handicapped, it was the rest of us in that room who were handicapped - handicapped by our limited thinking!

-Sarita
Dated - 16th July 2015

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शीशे की दरारों में फसे सूरज की किरणे फर्श पे जमी हुई कीचड़ की दाग हर चीज़ पे धूल का पर्दा बिछा हुआ जैसे ओडी हो यादों की घूँघट इन सबने || मानो जैसे हर दीवार केहती कोई कहानी है जैसे वो टूटा हुआ आइना छुपाती किसीकी जवानी है उस झूले में जैसे दबी किसीकी मुस्कराहट है सब कैद है बस इंतज़ार में एक उसके || वो सावन जब भीगते थे घंटो तक आँगन में भागते थे एक दूसरे को छेड़ते पूरे घर में अब न वो बारिश रही न वो मासूम छेड़कानी बस रह गयी है तो ये फर्श पे जमी कीचड की दाग || वो आइना जिसने निहारा उनका खूबसूरत साथ जो शर्माके नज़रे झुकाती जब वो पास उसके जाता बालो में गजरा लगाता, काजल का टिका लगाता इसे भी इंतज़ार है फिर से उस जवान महोब्बत का || वो झूला आज भी डूबते सूरज से पूछता है क्यूँ ज़ंग लगी है उसमें, क्यूँ नहीं प्यार से उसे कोई झुलाता न वो शाम रहा जब वो एक दुसरे की बाहों में घंटों तक झूलते और न वो सूरज जिस से वो एक दुसरे की नादान शिकायत करते || बस इक आहट से उनके, इस खँडहर में जान आये उनके छूने से जी उठे हर एक चीज़ हट जाये यादों क...

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