Packing Up My Troubles

 Packing Up My Troubles…

 "The world is a book, and those who do not travel read only one page." — Saint Augustine. 

The travel bug is one bug I’d always love to succumb to, but sadly, it doesn't happen as often as I would like.

As a child, my travel was restricted to Grandma’s house in Mumbai for vacations, and there was that one time when Dad took the family on a trip to Kolkata.

A trip that is firmly etched in my mind is a college trip to Rajasthan because I almost didn’t go. My dearest departed dad was being his protective best and had to be convinced by others to let me loose for a few days. My honeymoon in Goa is a cherished memory. Goa never fails to lose its charm for me. I have holidayed there with and without the boys and have always returned feeling refreshed and rejuvenated. I also loved Kerala, and it was special because it was the last family vacation. I dread motion sickness, which I’m prone to, but lately the episodes seem to have reduced.

Post marriage, I’ve done a fair amount of travelling both overseas and within the country, the only difference being that in the early years, it was the kids' needs and care that took precedence.

                          

Unlike my better half, my packing style is quite the opposite of his last-minute approach. My hubby generally throws in a few essentials, sometimes even on the day of departure, and voilà, he’s all set to go. Mine usually begins with deliberating over the right suitcase or bag, even if it’s an overnight trip. Medicines top my checklist, and I do not carry food. Eating the food served on the plane or train is part of the fun. I do carry a couple of books, hoping to catch up on my reading, but that rarely happens.

Now that the nest is empty, it’s been a while since we took a family vacation, but together with places I want to visit, that too is on my bucket list. 

This post is my entry to the Blogchatter Bloghop prompt

When Technology Took A Break

 When Technology Took a Break

 

Rahul woke up and reached for his phone. He switched it on, but the screen would not light up. Exasperatedly, he called out, "Ma, my phone refuses to work." Suddenly, he realised that the fan too was not working. “What the hell!” he muttered to himself. Rahul desperately needed to read his WhatsApp messages.

He jumped out of bed and went in search of his parents. They were out on the balcony enjoying the fresh air and digging into some papaya. Both sorely missed their morning cuppa, but ‘what cannot be cured must be endured,’ they firmly told themselves.

Expecting a volcanic eruption, Ma broke the news to Rahul. As expected, Rahul was aghast. “Two days!” he exclaimed. “Two whole days without food and water!” Below, they could see people scurrying to buy essentials from the rapidly shutting grocery shops. Pa reassured Rahul, telling him that there was plenty of fruit in the house and they could subsist on that. They would have to be frugal with the water.

Educational institutions were closed, so Rahul did not have to attend college. Ma suggested that it was a good time for him to catch up on his reading, at least during the day. She would take her break from the kitchen and household chores. Ma and Pa planned to cosy up with their books.

Parks and gardens echoed with the sound of children’s chatter and laughter. Neighbours, rather than being holed up scrolling on their phones, greeted each other, saying more than a hello and even shared whatever food they could.

Rahul was growing impatient. The authorities had promised that the power would be restored by midday the next day. He still had to pass the evening, afternoon, night, and the next morning. He had finished reading; he needed more activity, so he unearthed the Scrabble board from his closet and challenged his parents to a game. The family, amid some lighthearted banter, played an enthusiastic game by candlelight. Elsewhere in the town, people were singing and strumming guitars. Everywhere in Happypur, there was a little more communication and conversation.

The Happypurians rejoiced the next day when the power was restored and everything began functioning again. Rahul, too, was beside himself with joy, but deep down, he acknowledged that the detox and discomfort had done him good, as it did the other residents. Some planned a weekly detox and communion.

Though all had understandably been disturbed by the breakdown, it had done them good, and they realised, if nothing else, at least a digital detox was required.

This post is my entry to the BlogchatterBloghop prompt.

Image credit : Freepik and Pixabay

 

Proud to be Left -handed

 

 

On the 13^th of August this year, a friend texted me early in the morning, wishing me a “Happy Left-Hander’s Day.”

“So you’re left-handed” is a remark I’ve heard a million times. It’s been said with disdain, surprise, or mockery. I’m grateful to my parents for not trying to turn me into a right-hander.

Society demands that you give and receive with your right hand. This is one rule that I may break or not adhere to. An autorickshaw driver once refused to receive the fare from me because I was handing the money to him with my left hand. When I sit at the computer, I must transfer the mouse to the left side or learn to work it with my right hand. As a left-hander, I must position my book in a certain way and write. Some left-handers have their hand trailing across the page as they write, and thus, fresh ink may be smudged. Smudge, smear, or not, lefties are there writing their hearts out. The list of challenges is long. From scissors and can openers to musical instruments, left-handers don’t have it easy, but they survive and thrive.

 

International Left-Handers Day:

International Left-Handers Day is celebrated on August 13^th and was founded in 1976 by proud lefty Dean R. Campbell to celebrate the uniqueness of left-handed individuals and to raise awareness about the challenges they encounter in a predominantly right-handed world.

 

Societal Pressure:

Society is curious, apprehensive, and critical of lefties or maybe even amused by them. A “left-handed compliment” or “two left feet” also has negative connotations. The word "left" has been steeped in stigma and misunderstanding in many cultures and may also be considered unlucky or sinister.“Left” comes from the Latin word “sinistra,” meaning “left.” Conservative rural and urban families may force their children to switch hands. Left–handedness is also linked to the performance of unclean tasks.  I’m grateful that my parents did not force me into being right-handed.

 

Southpaw:

"Southpaw" is a nickname for a left-handed person. The term "southpaw" is often used to describe left-handed sportsmen, boxers, athletes, and baseball players, among others. It is said to have originated from baseball, where left-handed pitchers faced west, causing their throwing arm to point south.

 

Fun Facts:

 

Only 10–12% of the world population is left-handed.

 

Left-handers have differently wired brains. They tend to use the right hemisphere of the brain, which is more associated with creativity, intuition, and spatial awareness.

 

Left-handers may excel in math, architecture and music because of their greater ability in spatial reasoning.

 

Research shows that left-handed people are more intellectually gifted and have higher IQs.

 

There exists in Goa, the world’s first museum for left-handers, featuring over 100 statues of famous left-handers.

(https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/goa/a-museum-for-all-lefty-luminaries/articleshow/60039601.cms

The Indian Left-Handers Club celebrates and encourages left-handers. (https://www.indianlefthanderclub.com/)

 

In Morocco, left-handers were once considered cursed or devilish.

 

Some Famous Left-Handers:

Mahatma Gandhi, Jimi Hendrix, Oprah Winfrey, Ratan Tata, Amitabh Bachchan, Saint (Mother) Teresa, Barack Obama, Lady Gaga, Leonardo Da Vinci, Sachin Tendulkar, Steve Jobs, and Mark Zuckerberg.

 

Being left-handed is nothing to be embarrassed about or ashamed of. It’s a trait fashioned by nature. You’re kind of out of the mould but still beautiful.

To every brave southpaw who lives and loves life, continue to live and celebrate your life with flourish—smudges and all.

..org

 

 Image credit: Freepik images.

 

 

 

What can Young People teach us?

 Let’s Learn

 

From the time we are born, we learn how to sit, crawl, stand, walk, and talk. Then we learn from school, from our parents, from tuition, and from friends and peers. It never ends.

As long as you learn the positive, you’re good. You might even learn a few lessons from your mistakes.

On this learning journey, is there anything that we might learn from Gen Z and the millennials that we interact with, or are they just 'young and restless' in need of guidance? 

Well, there might be stuff that we learn from them. The millennial and Gen Z children that I’m a parent to have taught me a few life lessons.

 

Resilience

They are a resilient lot. They suffer from peer pressure, academic stress, and job loss, but more often than not, they find a way out and bounce back, sharper and more determined.

 

Quiet Perseverance

 “You must never disclose your plans,” says my twenty-six-year-old. Let the task be accomplished, and then shout it from the rooftops.

 

Honesty is the best policy.

Honest and forthright, they have no qualms about pointing out what is wrong. Young people value transparency even when it's uncomfortable. They remind us that honesty is the best policy.

 

Questions

Unlike older generations who accepted and obeyed, the present-day youth are full of questions. They question systems, traditions, religious beliefs, and even authority. They want to know the why, what, when, and how of everything. Progress, they believe, is born of curiosity.

Digital Prowess

Today’s youth are equipped with an enviable digital prowess. Navigating technology is a piece of cake for them. Let’s keep learning as they do, be it technology or life lessons.

 

Networking inclusivity

Most young people, including my offspring, have a fairly large network of genuine friends who are a major source of support. On a recent holiday, a friend of my son gladly hosted my husband and me for a couple of days in the apartment that she shared with two other girls. She even cooked for us. Her heartwarming gesture quite touched us. They build communities across borders and cultures, and that is something that we older generations can embrace more fully.

 

Mental Health

Young people are more aware of mental health issues and are quite vocal about burnout, therapy, and self-care. This again is something the older generations can emulate rather than keep up appearances.

 

Young people may not have it altogether, but the best teachers are not always the older ones.

This post is my entry  for the Blogchatter weekly prompt

Image credit: Pixabay and Freepik

Independence Day

 

Independence Day

 

2025 marks India's 79th year of Independence—79 years since she was freed from the shackles of colonial rule. It’s a holiday that everyone looks forward to, especially with a long weekend like this year.

I am proud of all that my country has achieved in these past 79 years. She has come into her own.

As flag-hoisting ceremonies are held and the national anthem, along with patriotic songs, are sung, I pray to God to bless her people with a stronger civic sense.

- I pray that her children maintain her secular fabric and that all live in harmony.

- That women are given the freedom and justice they deserve.

- That education and literacy reach even her most distant corners.

- May all her children learn to speak the language of love.

- That justice prevails and corruption is thwarted.

That the hard-earned freedom be used wisely.

May our beautiful motherland continue to rise from strength to strength, and may God be with her always. Jai Hind!

This post is part of Blogchatter's weekly prompt.

Image credit: Pixabay.

I

Tackling adversity

 

Tackling Adversity

 

“In the middle of every opportunity lies adversity.”

                                                         Albert Einstein

Adversity affects each of us. We may choose to wallow in self-pity, become angry, bitter, and frustrated, or we may decide to find the silver lining. In the challenge, we may see an opportunity to grow and become better versions of ourselves.

Adversity comes to us in various forms, including our relationships, finances, health, and careers, among others. Adversity may bring out the best in us or the worst in us. We would be doing ourselves a favour by choosing to find the opportunities and possibilities for strength and growth rather than lamenting our fate. Difficulties push us out of our comfort zones. They make us think and act differently in ways that we might not have otherwise. Instead of the “why me?” refrain, adversity can be an opportunity to pull up our socks and inch forward.

A close friend has lost her job as an administrator and accountant in a doctor's clinic. and has spent months running from pillar to post searching for another job but remains unsuccessful. She begins to explore fields different from hers and sees an opportunity in pursuing another passion—nursing. She’s working on it... She’s not sure if it will take off but is not averse to exploring the opportunity.

 

When adversity strikes:

 

·       Explore possibilities and opportunities

Cultivating a positive mindset and looking for opportunities to learn and grow from difficult situations is the key to tackling adversity.

 

·       Count Your Blessings

Despite the adverse situation, you are still blessed in so many ways. Recognising and giving thanks for the blessings can help you see opportunities in an otherwise hopeless situation.

 

·       Find and put in place a strong support network.

 

Having a strong and true network of friends, egging you on and helping you stay positive, is essential when you are under stress.

 

·       Adapt and Adjust

    The only constant in life is change, and once we get used to the idea of change while working on being adaptable and adjusting, it helps us deal with adversity.

 

·       Take a trip down memory lane

Reflecting on past experiences and the lessons learnt from them helps tackle present adverse situations.

 

Stay strong, stay resilient, and don’t let that opportunity slip away when it comes knocking on your door.

 

This post is my entry to the weekly Blogchatter Bloghop

prompt. 

When God became my PA for a day.

 

When God became my PA for a day.

 

Life was getting overwhelming. My to-do list was growing by leaps and bounds. I spent sleepless nights wondering where to begin and where to end. I decided to ask for divine intervention. “Could you please help me tackle this humongous list?" I pleaded and began to imagine what a day in my life would look like if the Divine One, or the Big Guy, as he is fondly referred to, were to be my PA for a day.

 

 

Morning Mayhem (divine intervention)

Instead of an alarm clock piercing my ears, I would gently be awakened by an angelic choir singing, “Rise and Shine.” That is certainly music to my ears. Instead of my usual filter coffee, a cup of foamy celestial latte sprinkled with stardust awaits me. There are pancakes, soft and fluffy as the clouds, and wild honey for breakfast. I needn’t worry about what to wear to work. My OOTD is all laid out, not a crease or a wrinkle to be seen. I love what I see. I don’t have to open the closet, stare at my clothes, and spend half an hour wondering what to wear. I usually have to negotiate a beastly traffic jam, but the Divine One is at work again. The roads are clear in peak time traffic, and I zoom through, reaching the office in record time.

 

Workday woes turn to workday wins.

Surprise! My boss decides to give me the coveted corner office because it has the best view, and my otherwise hot-headed boss suddenly thinks I deserve a reward for my hard work. I smile to myself. I log in to my computer and am delighted to find that the most difficult emails have been addressed; my constantly overflowing inbox is now clear. Spammers have been blocked, and business meetings that I wasn’t looking forward to ended on a happy and positive note, while a couple of them have been cancelled too. That’s what you call divine providence! The Wi-Fi works like a dream, and the printer is just so well-behaved. I’m not afraid of deadlines and begin pepping up the spirits of colleagues in TED Talk lingo. Oh! Could it get any better?

 

After Hours

I’m able to beat rush hour traffic, almost flying over honking cars and giant buses. I come home to dimmed lights and a supper straight from the good book—roasted fish, unleavened bread drizzled with olive oil, and an array of herbs.

I’m inclined to watch a movie, and I find Netflix streaming The Ten Commandments. I’m too tired to surf, so I watch a little and then find myself dozing off, so I head to bed. Once again, I hear a chorus of angels lulling me to sleep. I drift off, dreaming of a bearded gentleman in a long white robe who always has my back.

Perhaps having God as our PA isn't about performing earth-shattering miracles; it's about infusing our everyday work, commitments, and relationships with that same sacred energy and divinity, thus channeling that same sacred energy.