Nothing lasts forever

Day 292 / 366

Every year at Diwali, I make a rangoli. I am not particularly talented as an artist, which is why it takes me 5–6 hours to make one. And I feel really happy and content once it's finished. I take pictures of it and send it to friends. I even make a post on Reddit.

I am really protective of it the whole time I am making it. I make sure no one comes near it, and nothing is around it that can accidently fall on it. I clean the floor around it myself.

But soon with Diwali celebrations, the Rangoli will inevitably be ruined. Firecracker debris will fall on it. Stray cats and insects will leave their imprints. And with so many kids running around, it would be futile to try and keep it intact. The Rangoli looks like a sad version of itself the next morning. I would still try to keep it as it is. I ask the maid not to sweep around it. I ask the children not to step on it.

But no matter how much I try, the reality is that the Rangoli will get worse day by day, and finally, a day will come when a broom will make it vanish completely.

Every good thing, no matter how valuable it is to you, will disappear from your life some day. And getting attached to it will only cause you pain. Instead, this should teach us to appreciate the good times when we are actually in them. Thank the good things for being in your life and remember them fondly.

Everything changes. That is the one true rule in this universe.