Fields of Heaven

How would you define Heaven on Earth? To me it's a place where I can't even believe my senses...where I totally forget my existence...where the beauty of it is unimaginable...where the pleasure it gives me is inexpressible...where not even a million photographs can capture it's total splendour...where it's magic captures my heart forever. Well that's where I was in the weekend :) I was at the Floriade 2005 - an annual Springtime blooms and blossoms treat to the Aussies which is held in Canberra. It was well worth the 3hr drive - I was completely mesmerised by the magic of the yellow, red, purple, orange, pink, white etc etc fields of zillions of Tulips...I cannot even begin to express the out-of-this world beauty of the flowers and how brilliant a festival it is. I was in total awe of it all! Check it out for yourself at the few Floriade sites I found at AusFloriade, Floriade03 and MoreFloriade. Trust me these pics can't do enough justice to the actual beauty of it, 'cos nothing can truly capture it's entirety nor the Heavenly vibes that you feel when you're really there. Firstly, the fields are too big and the variety of colors and arrangements is just too much to ever finish photographing. I guess I have to count my divine blessings for being able to be there and experience the fields of Heaven, as I call it.

When we were driving back I was thinking about all the colors, the deliverance and the beauty of the flowers that still dominates a big part of my memory. People look for so many things in life in terms of finding Heaven on Earth. I can say I was truly 'happy' in the few hours I was with the Tulips. I'm a person who enjoys simple things in life. It doesnt take alot for me to be happy. As much as the vast Tulip fields gave me infinite happiness, the little yellow wild flower on the side of my pathway would also give me that same happiness. When asked, my friend said that the idea of Heaven on Earth for her is touching the white sands with her feet while the waves kiss the shores. Another friend said that his idea of Heaven on Earth is listening to music and it gives him eternal happiness that can't be replaced by anything else. Some others said it's achieving career goals and making enough money to live a comfortable life. While it's perfectly understandable that one must have all those professional and personal dreams of happiness, one must not let time and opportunities pass him by while dreaming those dreams. 'Cos happiness is not a destination...they say it's only a direction, so enjoy the drive, for being happy involves this very moment. I don't understand why people chase happiness so hard when it's right beside them. You could be so down and out, but there are so many simple and natural things out there that can bring you joy that's irreplaceable by any other means. Be it nature or an old love song...the sandy beaches, the deep purple Tulips, the twighlight skies, the yellow butterflies, the little blue bird on your window sill...open your eyes, listen well, tune in...you will find Heaven on Earth if you don't look too hard. Just use the basic senses you have been gifted with - that's all that's needed from your side, atleast that's what I think :)

If you didn't know, Heaven is indeed a place on Earth...just that you got to know how and where to find it, not just dream about it and chase it too hard - 'cos while chasing it you may pass it even without your knowledge. It's a bit like how some people wait for Summer to arrive to enjoy life and in that process they miss out on the joys and comforts of Winter. So capture the magic in every moment and enjoy the happiness it gives - happiness isn't somewhere far away in the horizon, it's right beside you waiting to be discovered by you. Now tell me, what is your idea of Heaven on Earth?

(This post is dedicated to Uttara.)