Resisting The Stillness Within

Recently I stumbled upon this quote by Ralph Waldo Emerson, 'What lies behind us and what lies before us, are tiny matters compared to what lies within us' and the irony of me struck me hard.

It was then that I wondered, fake as we are, do we even exist? How many of us unleash what our hearts and minds behold? How real are we?

Our real selves stashed away deep within, covered by layers of lies and deceit, unable to emerge for fear of the blemishes so shameful and of the fingers that are sure to point and the cruel smiles bestowed with such condescension.

What are we constituted of then, I ask?

Who is the person we all see in the mirror?

Could it be the shadow of the feelings our hearts beat on? 

Or is it the image of what is seen reflected in the world’s eye?

How deeply buried could we be, to not even feel the air that blows through the soil or the tremors that course through the land?

Deep enough, I think, to have forgotten what our true identities are, such that we are nothing more than hollow vessels named and moulded to fit the shroud tailored to please what should have never been consequential in the first place.

Photo Credits: Shahroz Hyder Arts

Another consequent question that pops in my mind is that, 'What the true definition of beauty is?' 

Is it dressing up all pretty and snapping gorgeous photos for the world to admire?

Does it lie in unblemished skin and magnificent tresses of hair?

Perhaps, some would look to more idealistic views of internal beauty and aim to achieve the satisfaction of being the 'ideal human being' to attain their definition of beautiful. 

Mayhap, the definition of beauty is in the joys of nature and the symmetrical perfection and unbelievable miracles we get to experience several times daily.

Or it could be that the definition is subjective to the eyes of the beholder. 

Does what one perceive dictate the beauty of any particular thing?

What may be beautiful to one person may be unappealing to another? 

Is that how it goes? 

I really do wonder at times.

So for once, let's just look past all these layers that we show to the world and discover our real being in between the wild forests that grow within us. For once, let's just hurl a stone in the deep stagnant waters of our being and resist the stillness that dwells within us.

Why specifically a typewriter?

I have loved typewriters ever since I saw one in the storeroom of my house back in Lahore. The not so little, black and dusty typewriter always seemed appealing to me. It had a charm like no other and I remember sitting in a dark and gloomy corner of the store room on hot summer afternoons keying in random things on the non functional electronic typewriter. But soon when we had to move from one city to another, my parents never even considered of taking the old and useless machine along, hence I had abandon my favourite gadget behind. Even though I didn't have a typewriter after that but I couldn't get that beauty out of mind. I still got excited whenever I spotted a typewriter around. Back then I didn't really know where could I find a typewriter of my own and filed my dream of getting a typewriter in the 'someday' folder of my brain. Recently, on one of my visits around the city I spotted a shabby, old shop in the old city area selling tens and hundreds of these vintage beauties and it literally made my heart flutter. It took me a good six months to finally get to this shop and when I finally did and got a typewriter for myself, I was literally on the seventh heaven.

It was then that my friends and acquaintances who considered getting a typewriter in this modern era of computers and printers to be specific, as sheer stupidity, asked me weird question. The most frequently asked question was, 'Why specifically a typewriter?'

So here I am giving away the few reasons for why I'm so fond of typewriters.

Most of the typewriters are unique and one of a kind pieces. In many cases, the typewriter that you own might be the only one in the city-maybe the world too.And rarity always makes it exciting.

I have a thing for vintage stuff. I can not really put into words but all the old school stuff is quite close to my heart and it feeds my collecting habit. I have a mighty collection of pictures of friends and family that date almost half a century back and vintage books and a few postage stamps and some coins. Typewriters are just another to that might collection.

I love them for their dust and grime, their sticky keys and wayward ribbons. I love them because they make me nostalgic with the memories of an era where I didn't even exist.

The one thing that specifically makes my heart grow even fonder of this little thing is that the process from brain to fingers to instant print in combination to secondary faucets of smell, rhythm and the 'Thak-Thak' sound is one that cannot be mimed by any other machine interactions.

And also because I strong believe in the words of John O'Hara who said, '“Much as I like owning a Rolls Royce, I could do without it. What I could not do without is a typewriter, a supply of yellow second sheets, and the time to put them to good use.” 

Say 'Hello' to my vintage beauty!

P.S. Brace yourselves for quite a lot typewritten stuff is coming your way. ;)

Much Love.