Dearest,
Did you know the Nook was the name my dad had picked for his dream home which he never ended up building - ironic because he was an architect and built nooks for others.
I stole this name from him, and he would keep asking me for royalty.
Instead of me paying him, he used to send me 200 bucks every Sunday when the edition went out.
I never got to thank him publicly for this while he was here - well, that would have ruined it!
The nook then is a bittersweet inheritance, a reminder of unrealized dreams and quiet but unwavering support.
The nook began as a corner during the pandemic where we (me + anyone who bothered to subscribe) could open ourselves up to the universe in hope to encounter our heart.
But now that the pandemic seems like a distant nightmare (the actual nightmare is how we’ve forgotten all the lessons we learnt during the years we had to social distance), I again think about the relevance of this nook I carved out 4 years ago.
I have been thinking about why I started the nook, why does it exist. It’s not a pompous inquiry, but a genuine one - though I don’t know what I plan to do with the answer.
In the quiet moments of reflection, a story emerges that seems to echo the journey of the nook:
Once upon a time, there was a beautiful bird living in a golden cage. The cage was comfortable and the bird was well-fed, but it wasn't free. The bird's owner, a kind old man, loved the bird dearly and enjoyed its sweet songs.
One day, a wise traveler passed by and saw the caged bird. He told the old man, "Your bird sings beautifully, but it sings of freedom. Its true nature is to soar in the open sky."
The old man was troubled by this. He didn't want to lose his beloved bird, but he also didn't want it to suffer. So he asked the traveler, "How can I help the bird find its freedom without losing it forever?"
The traveler smiled and said, "Open the cage door, but don't force the bird out. Instead, sit quietly and focus all your love and attention on the bird's true nature - its ability to fly freely. Your devotion to the bird's essence will guide it."
Skeptical but willing to try, the old man did as instructed. He opened the cage door and sat nearby, meditating on the bird's true, free nature with all his heart.
Days passed. The bird hopped to the edge of the cage many times but didn't leave. Then one morning, it finally flew out. The old man was sad but knew he had done the right thing.
To his surprise, the bird didn't fly away. Instead, it soared joyfully around the garden and then came to rest on the old man's shoulder. From that day on, the bird would fly freely but always return, no longer a captive but a true companion.
As I think about this story, I find myself drawing parallels to the nook, this digital space that has become a home to me (and to you too, I hope).
The traveler's advice in the story resonates deeply.
Maybe it's time to open the cage door for the nook, not by forcing change, but by sitting quietly and focusing on its true nature.
As we stand at this crossroads, I invite you, my fellow nook seekers, to join me in this meditation on freedom and purpose.
Let us open the door together and see where our collective journey takes us next.
Perhaps, like the bird in the story, the nook will find a way to soar into new territories while remaining a faithful companion to those who have found solace within its digital walls.
In this evolving landscape, we may discover that the nook's relevance lies not in its original purpose, but in its ability to adapt and grow with us.
As we navigate this path, may we remain open to the possibilities that lie beyond the familiar, always remembering the connections and insights we've shared in this space.
May we embark, not with certainty, but with curiosity and hope. What will the nook become? Only time will tell.
But I believe that by honoring its true nature - and our own - we'll find our way to something beautiful and meaningful, just as the bird found its freedom without losing its connection to home.
Love,
Ree
Wondering how you can support me?
You can contribute via GPay or UPI and show The Nook some love here: riya.roy6@axisbank
or,
See you next Sunday,
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