Black, white and grey !

These dragon flies have three colours in their wings-black, white and grey.

The grey first, then the back followed by the white is what we notice in the the second dragon fly. The grey looks larger than black or white.

Grey stands out as it is less bold than black or white.

Most of us think in distinct ways. We separate one idea from the other by demarcation.

But philosophically grey represents a confluence of ideas without separation or demarcation. 

Is beholden to ideas in the grey zone a compromise on a distinct position! This is a dilemma for most of us. 

While driving on the high ways, I am cautious to slow down when a road side camera is in sight. This means that I might exceed the 80 kilometer speed limit when no camera is in sight. As I am in the 90 km speed most of the time, I have been training myself to follow the traffic rules even when the camera is not in sight. I have had only partial success. 

There are stretches in the high ways I noticed in Tamil Nadu which allow 100 km speed an hour.

One can justify over-speeding in the light of this.

Many things in our lives are in this grey zone, where one might choose to be flexible rather than hold on to a firm opinion or behaviour.

But recently, while talking to a transport expert, I understood that the speed restrictions are usually introduced by analysing the road traffic conditions and past accidents. He advised me not to be flexible and interpret it as a grey area. According to him, it is a black and white matter. 

I felt challenged by his position. What I am used to interpreting as a grey area of flexibility is not so when a specialist with experience looks at it. 

The grey areas get reduced and get demarcated in to black and white zones, when one continues to be open and be ready to be more informed.

To be tentative, ambiguous or flexible carries a risk of drifting to choose personal convenience. 

That obviates the common good.

I am surprised that the sighting of the two dragon flies led me on this reflective journey! I am grateful.

M.C.Mathew (text and photo)