The art of figuring things out
Underrated one which we sometimes fail to recognize
You know, when everything seems to be going fine, and then suddenly, out of nowhere, problems pop up and say, “Hello there, my love.” In those moments, it’s natural to think, “Why is this happening to me? Oh God, why now?” If you feel this way, that’s okay. Just take a moment, breathe, and think through your options.
Let me share a story that tested my patience. I was getting ready to catch a flight from Bangkok to Chennai, and there was a rule that no liquid container could exceed 100 ml, with a total allowance of 1 liter. I had a 350 ml bottle of Thai honey, mistakenly thinking that up to 1000 ml was allowed as long as it didn’t go over the total. When I reached the security check, my heart dropped as the officer inspected my bag and pulled out my honey, worth 5000 rupees, before placing it in the trash. Panic set in. I pleaded, trying to explain that it was expensive and that I misunderstood the rule, but the officer said, “I understand, but there are cameras everywhere. We can’t help; it would get us in trouble.”
I felt a pang of helplessness. My mind spun as I tried to think of a solution. I found two tiny 10 ml bottles in my bag, but they were useless. Frustration bubbled up inside me. I glanced around, and suddenly I noticed the rows of food stalls, grocery shops, and snack bars nearby. A spark of hope flickered. I turned to the officer and asked, “Can I have a few minutes?” She gave me a tight nod and said, “Five minutes. No more.”
The countdown started. I hurried to the first shop, scanning every shelf. Nothing. I darted to McDonald’s, eyes frantically searching for any small bottles. Still nothing. The snack shop turned up empty, too. I felt my chest tighten, and a wave of defeat washed over me. Just then, I spotted a beauty parlor at the end of the row. With a sliver of hope, I asked, “Do you have any bottles around 100 ml?” The attendant nodded and handed me a 100 ml vitamin C water. Relief washed over me. I grabbed three and a 300 ml water bottle just in case.
I rushed to the men’s restroom and transferred the vitamin C water into the larger bottle, my hands shaking as the seconds ticked by. My heart pounded, the sound echoing in my ears. I wiped my brow, took a deep breath, and handed the vitamin C filled bottle to my friend, who had already passed through security. Now, it was time to face the checkpoint again.
The security officer met my eyes as I approached, a hint of recognition and perhaps sympathy on her face. She had kept my honey bottle in a tray. “You’re running out of time,” she said, almost encouragingly.
I moved quickly to transfer the honey into the 100 ml bottles, feeling the awkwardness as the thick liquid slowly filled each one. Finally, the process was complete, and the officer nodded as they finished the final security check. “Go quickly; your boarding time is close,” she said.
As I walked toward the gate, relief washed over me. I had managed to figure it out. I stood by my resolve and made it happen. The sense of accomplishment was profound.
If you’re reading this, remember: you’re always figuring things out, making decisions in tough moments. You’re doing your best, and every effort counts. Regardless of how things turn out, every challenge is a chance to learn. So, kudos to you for pushing through life’s obstacles and making it this far. Thank yourself for navigating each hurdle.
In Tamil, we say **“tha paathukalam,”** which translates to, “I’m going to solve this, no matter what.” Travel teaches you this in countless ways. New places, unfamiliar faces, and unexpected challenges force you to think on your feet. You’ll fail sometimes, but you’ll learn, and each decision makes you stronger. That’s how we grow. We fall to rise.
Nice one bro