I often wonder what this would be like. Time-traveling. Going back in time. Capsules of generations. What would I do? Would I fast-forward a few decades? Or would I go back in time? It’s a thought that troubles me sometimes, because I really cannot make up my mind on what I would do.
There are times I get angry at the world for the way it thinks, reacts and (does not) supports. The environment suffers, our animals suffer, humans suffer. Supremacy, patriarchy and selfishness have taken over human nature widely. There are but a handful of those that live for the better, for selflessness and for a future worth looking into. These are times I wish to fast-forward. Perhaps, 5 decades should do it?
The fast-forwarding. Hmmmm. Let’s see what possible outcomes could be up for view. A world where we look at everything in tech-vision. Robots working in homes and offices, humans sitting by their windows waiting for their next convenience to step in. Cars that run on oxygen, because that’s all that is left, considering all the nutrients and gases being exhausted. Plants are kept in museums. Oh yes. Humankind was never really kind to plants and trees in 2020, so why would it be any better in 2070, right?
This was one scenario. The other one could be: A world of balance. Cities that focus on a sustainable pattern of using resources, building homes, creating spaces. Trees and plants intertwining with strong clay homes, large spaces for green growth. Animals and humans living in harmony. Oh, this was a splendid view for my mind.
Back-tracking. A habit that I own and relish everyday. I backtrack a lot. Whether it is analysing my day, my week or my month. I do it all the time. All of 27 years old, and I have learned enough from losing people in my life, that it is imperative to be conscious. Of what we say, what we do, and how we make people feel. So I always back-track my moments. To know where I went wrong, where I could have improved and where I did something good.
So, now let’s think of the other side of a time capsule. Going back in time. Here, I would be selfish. I would go back in time; 16 years ago. To see and feel my grandmother for the last time. I would sit with her, comb her hair, massage her shoulders. Relieve the pain of her tumors. Do my best to make her feel good in her last couple of weeks. I would do only this. I am selfish for this.
So now, let’s weigh both options. Future of the world, or the past with my sweet, lovely Nani? Hell, I’d take neither. I like being in the present. Time is something we cannot gamble with. It is not something we are ever going to be able to mould for ourselves. What we can do is, feel everything in the moment. Love every minute of our lives. Cherish our happy times, learn from our sad times, shorten our angry minutes and lengthen our smiles.
The future is always uncertain. The gears of our planet are always rolling. When you least expect it, an environmental change happens. People change every minute of every day. We are evolutions from the time of apes, and what is to say that we will not evolve further into super-beings? We cannot predict any future. We can only work on our today..
The past is called the past for a reason. It is behind us. It is where we evolved from. Where we learned from. Yes, I would give everything up to meet my grandma. But will it be enough? Will it be enough to see her for just one day, and then want more? As human beings, as a race, we always want more of something. It is a fleeting moment of torment that has lasting effects. The want for more. It drives us crazy, sometimes.
So, I would stick to my present. I would continue wasting my days working a job for my brain, and enjoying my nights writing for my soul. I would continue with my vices because for a split second, I feel good. I will continue loving people wholesomely, because I know everyone meets their end. I would continue making castles in the sky, because that’s what life is about. Wanting many things, but ending up with just enough to keep us happy, fulfilled and joyous.
But, as a science nerd, I do wonder what time-traveling is like. So, if you find the solution, I would love to hear an experience or your version of it. Who knows? If Area 51 exists, time capsules might too, right?
Written By Anisha Masand
Week 47, November ’20