Why anything is possible – Colombo, Sri Lanka
It was a day in January 2019 that had me come to realize
that something very useful can come from nothing.
A trip around the world took me to Colombo, a buzzling city
in Sri Lanka. The day started energized with the morning sun welcoming us to a
cluttered city. Taxi drivers with grimy feet washed at us like angry waves in
the South-East coast of Africa, offering their ride, beneath towering Jacaranda’s
reminiscent of Southern Africa. It comes to no surprise that this City was once
called “The Garden City of the East.”
The first landmark that had majestically towered out above
us was the Sambodhi Chaithnya, a buddhist shrine around Colombo harbor, with a
dome shaped roof with a twisted needle that pierced the skies.
From there onward it was a buzzling, cluttered and quite and
experience drive, an eye opener. An experience that awakened gratitude as signs
of poverty infected the sidewalks. Amongst this you also witness brave artistic
ambition—clay pots, carved masks, weaved baskets, and vibrant embroidery--of
parents putting their craft to work to feed their young. People putting their
talents to use to make a living.
We drove passed and got a glimpse of the giant golden statue
that sits peacefully meditating in the Viharamahadevi Park, and Temple Sri
Kailawasanathan Swami Devasthanam – I had to grab my reading glasses and suck a
candy after feeling totally nauseated after trying to make sure I type those
names correctly—
“Where are you heading?”, you might think by now. My
emotional-self took control and chose to visit an elephant orphanage, Pinnawala
at what seemed to feel like it was on the other end of the city.
The moment we arrived and got out of the bus; the vibration
changed. The air was fresh, and the sun smiled golden through the still leaves.
Upon entering I felt a calmness and connection to my surroundings during a time
of inner turmoil. Little did I know that the elephant was possibly the closest
as a spirit animal.
For one, I am a person with the memory of an elephant, as
elephants are known for their good memory power. It’s when I looked into an
elephant’s eyes that I saw the same sad eyes I saw when I looked in the mirror.
It does not necessarily mean I am sad. Perhaps it is the weight of all the
memories carried around inside of us. The elephant in most cultures is
associated with home and family. Another reason why the elephant is best suited
to be my spirit animal.
A family-oriented Cancer. That seek safety, closeness, and
connectedness. Like cancer, elephants are symbolized by a nurturing mother, the
care giver of the zodiac. Elephants, as Cancers, are strong and nurturing, they
are loyal to their family and are determined and protective. Cancer and
Elephants alike are highly intelligent animals with complex emotions, feelings,
compassion, and self-awareness.
I have always been self-aware, but this day I have felt a
connectedness to earth that I have not felt before and apart from this we had a
great lunch and a fun filled experience. It was the experience after the
encounter that made me realize that nothing is impossible, even though I have
believed it all my life, but struggled with the tools to make things that seemed
impossible happen. We visited the Pinnawala elephant hide(dung) paper product center.
Believe it or not. If you did not know that they make paper from elephant dung.
Something very useful, out of nothing. Who would have thought? Thusitha
Ranasinghe, a Sri Lankan entrepreneur thought of it and started his business in
something unimaginable. His company employs rural villagers who collect the
dung and then puts it through the process of creating this recycled paper, that
is turned in greeting card, journal, menus etc.
My point and realization of this trip was that no idea is
too far-fetched. Before any great idea lies imagination, determination, and a great
deal of persistence.
My question is, can you make something from nothing that can
be worth something?
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