Leaves are fascinating creations of the nature, no doubt about that. I was able to see them close range ever since I was a child and I am so greatful to the nature for that. Sometimes from a Tree top, sometimes on the ground, sometimes running after a falling leaf from a tree, Those, dry and green leaves teach us lessions about life all the time. Among many of these lessons here is another.
Hydrophobic leaves.
If you walk to your backyard, you will find many types of leaves. Some are large, some small, some bushy, which can use to comb your hair. Ferns create intricate patterns, we used them to make temporary tatoos in our hands. Some wither away when touched, fearing you would damage them. Among many there are leaves which do not retain water. These are mostly plants which grow in wet lands. Even water lillies have such quality to their leaves. Imagine water lilie leaves, just like the flower, they were born deep inside the muddy water and come up to the surface. Still they do not mix with water even if you try to. I used to put some drops of water into such a big leaf and look at it float. It floats like a perl. They jump here and there like little kids, on the slippery surface, joining and breaking up again and again. Hydrophobic they call it. Later we learned when we were in advanced chemistry classes, about many such chemicals with hydrophobic properties. Maybe leaves knew some chemistry after all.
Hydrophobic leaves among us.
When I look at people, I can see they are just like leaves. Some are big some, small, some are fresh, some little old. Some wither away, while others are harsh. And rarely I see hydrophobic ones. I have never been a hydrophobic leaf. Whenever there is a rain, I would just get wet. And it took a long time for it to dry. As a leaf I was jelous of those who were hydrophobic. They seems very happy, never getting wet from the rain, not even a bit. They seem content with their lives. Although they live in mud, they seem not hold onto the dirt. And I tried. I tried to become a rare hydrophobic leaf. I looked everywhere. I listened to my science teachers, I read positive thnking books. I even watched youtube videos, day after day, for just an idea, a spark, a life changing portion.
How to be a hydrophobic leaf - mindfulness.
I heard someone to say look inside, its not outside. Hence, I found the path to becoming a hydrophobic leaf is mindfulness. To be aware, when every drop of water falls from the sky, not to get wet but to let it fall. It is difficult to wipe the leaf after each drop, as the too fast too often. Only way is to change the consistancy of the leaf all together. Every drop matters, even if its a drizzle, even if it is a monsoon storm. It matters every drop as, every rain is made up of tiny drops. If I do not be aware of a single drop, it has the ability to spoil the party in the mind, and pour out a cry, with pain, sometimes, with hatred, sometimes with sadness, sometimes with jelousy and greed even happiness. I see the mindfulness create hydrophobic qualities in the mind, to separate its pureness inside, against the natures, cruel rains of thoughts.
Maybe one day I would die, a fully hydrophobic leaf, although I wasn't born as such. There lies the path to be immortal.
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