Period.

I have been such a complaining old lady for such a long time that I feel exhausted. I am tired of feeling this way. Have you ever felt your body ache so much that at some point the pain ceases to exist, to make you feel any worse? I have reached exactly that point where I have stopped feeling terrible, really. What is the point of carrying the burden on your shoulders when you know that the burden is doing no good to you?

There might be millions of issues in my life, but who doesn't? So,

With March
coming to an end
I am putting my Miseries
to an end as well.

The Irongate Entrants

I normally sleep late these days, and as a result, it takes a lot of effort for me to wake up on time every morning. Today, while I was struggling to get up, I heard giggles and laughter coming from the street. With dreamy eyes, I looked out of the window and saw a group of young kids, dressed in their school uniforms, with the bright red tika on their forehead, with their school bags and hardboards, passing by from my place. I knew right away that those bunch of kids were heading to their examination centres for the first day of their School Leaving Certificate (SLC) exams. Oh! how happy they looked.

All their childhood, they have probably been fed with the fact, just like all of us were, that SLC is THE IRONGATE, passing which is going to ensure that they have a good life. They must have worked insanely hard to make sure that they get good marks, they must have had a lot of joint study sessions with their friends, they must have enrolled themselves in 'n' number of tuition centres, they must have had a lot of sleepless nights, and they must have let go off a lot of fun time, just for these nine days. I can so much relate to them.

They must now be thinking that the end of these nine days is going to be an end of their miserable life and that life will be a lot easier thereafter. But I don't know how many of them know that this is just the beginning. Life is going to be a lot more difficult, a lot more complicated, and a lot more harsh. I was never told pre-SLC that I would have to fulfill so many expectations, I was not told that I will have to work a lot harder to prove myself. Now when I think of everything, giving SLC exams was nothing, really. All I had to do was study hard. Everything else was taken care of. My mom would cook and clean for me, papa would fulfill my needs, my sisters would make sure I was comfortable. It is not the same anymore (I am not complaining, its just that way for everyone).

I am completely against creating this dreamy world for these little kids who are allured, and misguided. We need to be a lot more practical in our guidance and mentorship. We need to prepare them for what is waiting ahead for them. They should know what real world actually looks and feels like. Next time, when my cousin, my friend's sister, or my nieces and nephews are preparing for SLC, I will make sure that they know that this phase of their life is not the end all, and that it is just the beginning of life. I will wish them luck for what lies ahead of them.

The Art of Forgiving

Few days back, one of my best friends posted a beautiful status on her Facebook wall. It read : " I feel thankful to my Aama everyday.....she has taught me The Art of Giving; and I realise it today...how big a thing it is...and how difficult it is for people to learn it..appreciating, loving, laughing...living. Not everybody can do that!"

Isn't it a beautiful expression? I kept thinking about it, and realized that there are two things that are most difficult for people to practice. One is giving, that my friend already pointed out. The other is forgiving.

Like my friend, it is my mother who taught me the art of both giving and forgiving. Mahatma Gandhi rightly said that "The weak can never forgive. Forgiveness is an attribute of the strong." I realize how strong my mother has been. I wont say that I have been very good at it, but I have tried. I have let go off the hurt. I have come out of my anger. I have risen above trivialities.

Obviously, I have made a lot of mistakes. I have probably hurt many. I thank everyone who had a strong heart to forgive me for my mistakes, my words, my decisions.

A Passing Thought

Well, I am back to blogging after a long time, and it feels great actually…what great blessing the internet has showered on us….

I was in an introspection phase all this while…Was thinking over so many things..Today, it’s a Friday and everybody gets excited with the thought of it, including the students…We work so hard all this while and a day off is a welcome change for all….Wish there were many more Fridays….

I met a friend of mine, or I shall say someone who was junior to me in college. We had gone for a talk program together and there she asked me what is the purpose of human life? To slog one’s ass for decades to earn all the name and fame, and of course money? She left me wondering over what she had to say…She is right actually…why do we need to work so hard all our lives? Why do we need to be successful? Another fren of mine always says that happiness is a very individualized thing. A waiter can be happy all his life serving food to the customers, while a millionaire might not be as happy getting everything with the blink of an eye….

It is so important for us to take life as it comes and savor every moment before it is too late…Next time, when you are cursing your luck, just remember the roadside vendor, the maid at your place, the street sweeper, and many others like them…and you will realize you were truly born lucky…and be happy at the thought!!!