"Who saw the peacock dance in the jungle?"
By Anna Atsu
There is a well-known philosophical question: “If a tree falls in the forest and no one is around to hear it, does it make a sound?” We've been teased for centuries by philosophers asking such questions, prompting us to ponder our apparent observations.
“Who saw the peacock dance in the jungle” is a Hindi expression that touches upon the same idea, though it's more applicable to modern-day life. It asks whether something holds worth if nobody witnesses it, whether it must be in the public eye to be acclaimed or acknowledged.
In our contemporary world, the question of the dancing peacock takes on a new dimension, intertwined with the threads of social media. Young people have grown accustomed to sharing their lives, thoughts, and experiences with an audience, whether through meticulously curated Instagram posts or fleeting thoughts on various platforms. But in this digital clamour, do we pause to consider the essence of our actions and the significance they hold beyond virtual validation?
Conversations with real-life friends and collaborators who confessed that certain online activities “started to devour them” prompted me to reflect on how easily we can become lost in the digital noise while promoting our pursuits online. We're quick to measure our achievements by the number of followers we amass, the engagement metrics on our posts, and the fleeting moments of online visibility. But amid this cacophony of voices vying for attention, do we ever pause to reflect on the authenticity of our participation in this public noise?
The dancing peacock, oblivious to the gaze of onlookers, reminds us of a simpler truth: worth does not hinge on visibility.
Just as the majestic bird performs its dance regardless of the audience, there is inherent value in our unseen actions and experiences, independent of external validation. In a world where our worth is often tied to our online presence, embracing the quiet dignity of authenticity becomes a radical act of self-affirmation.
It's not about the number of likes or retweets, but rather the depth of connection and meaning we find in our interactions, both online and offline.
Personally reminded of how easy it is to be navigated instead of navigating in the public space, let us all strive to cultivate a sense of purpose beyond the superficial trappings of social media acclaim.
Isn’t the worth lying not in the virtual applause of strangers, but in the quiet satisfaction of knowing that we've stayed true to ourselves, whether anyone is watching or not? Or if we needed a reminder to humbly acknowledge the value of meaningful connections, let us share it so we all benefit from it.
Perhaps the dancing peacock doesn’t mind, and perhaps it doesn’t need an audience as much as we think it does…
“Habit unresisted became necessity”.
— Saint Augustine
Ps:
To my esteemed collaborators: I anticipate your calls regarding our ongoing projects, eager to reignite our creative flame.
To prospective collaborators: Should you share the desire to craft poetry or music together, I extend an open invitation to connect and create something beautiful.
A gentle reminder: Sometimes, the absence of inquiries into your being* is a silent gesture of consideration, allowing you the space to concentrate on your endeavours without distraction.
I keep forgetting to mention: in education, we don’t call it “well-being”. It is just “being”.
Have a fulfilling day!
