Monday, January 20, 2020

PARENT OF AN AVERAGE CHILD

Disclaimer: This is a post from unknown source. Edited to suit my style and taste .

PARENT OF AN AVERAGE CHILD

I often get asked, .... Your child must be good in maths , science, studies
in general... I simply say no, he is not.
My child is average.
Am I ashamed to say this?  Yes?
No !
Should I be lying that he is the best in something which he is not, in front of others? Definitely No !

My child is that average child who people fail to notice either for not being at the top or being at the bottom. People fail to notice the sweet smile, funny talks, tight hugs,  friendly personality, kind behaviour, mild manners, helpful nature because he is JUST an average child.

The school, society celebrates children who are top scorers or good in sports and extra-curricular, which rightfully they should.

Amidst all this, my average child who is a spectator and cheers his friends with full heart goes unnoticed. His  love for sports ,(even when he knows he is not going to be selected for school team)  his love for music (even though he knows he is not going to be selected for school choir) never diminishes. He does all this to enjoy it rather to compete.

Am I a parent, who is not strict with him for not scoring at the top. Yes, I am strict to an extent and have lost my cool many times in the past.
His words pierced through me when my 11 year old child asked, "Mom, do you not respect me for who am I "?

How many of us thought we should respect children?  We adults demand our respect each and every moment of our life. Why not a child?

Among children preparing for IIT,  MBBS even at a tender age of 11 years ( I feel it's cruel ,akin to killing childhood in pursuit of trophy child competition). My average child is talking about traveling the world, meeting new people ,a reading new books of different genre's, tasting  different cuisines.

My average child might or might not become a doctor, astronaut, scientist But he is sure to grow up to be a good person, who will spread cheer, happiness and positivity.

Last but not least: a message for ONE and ALL
*Notice the average child. All that child wants is a smile or a kind word from us adults for just being their true self ,and to give assurance to trust the world.
Please refrain from making Xerox copies of our own selves.
They are children of future.
For generations to evolve : let us help in maintaining their originality.

Each child is different, so is each parenting Style.

Love,
Juju 

Friday, December 20, 2019

Society ! are you ready for empowered women?

DISCLAIMER- THIS WRITE UP IS NOT INTENDED TO HURT ANYBODY,S SENTIMENT. BASED ON REAL LIFE INCIDENTS

Society ! are you ready for empowered women?

Women empowerment has always intrigued me especially gender equality. Women should never strive to be equal to men or follow their footsteps - if a man can do, why can,t I ?
Everyone needs to understand that god created man and woman from entirely different mould, their brain wiring, physical attributes etc are from different sets. To compare anything, the qualities must be similar and in this case, they are poles apart; so how can we compare men and women.

Why not cherish our own individual characteristics? Why not be a better your own good self. When society talks about women empowerment, an invisible label stating women you are inferior is already pasted on the forehead. Where on one hand, you make a woman feel inferior, on the other you try and talk about upliftment ! A woman herself is complete as she has power to create and nurture.
Are we training our men enough to be ready for this new independent, educated, self sufficient women ?

As a woman entrepreneur, it is a daily struggle to keep your workplace in a peaceful working condition. Your friendly neighbourhood (comprising of male gender) can,t seem to digest the fact that a woman is running her own workplace for nearly two decades with entirely female staff, smoothly and peacefully. They take it on themselves to create trouble on every occssion , be it blocking the parking area or throwing their waste/dirty water in front of main gate or just staring at your clients etc.

When she shifts a motorbike to create parking space for her own vehicle, onlookers keenly watch her every movement/rather every millimeter of shift without offering any help. Basic humanity seems to have vanished.

Can you expect compassion or help from such a bunch of mindsets, if any untoward incident happens to a woman? They stand like helpless, naive four legged species. It seems as if they feel tied by unseen shackles which prevents them from coming forward to help : how can we prevent sexual abuses/acid attacks/other shameful sins ?

To prove ourselves as highest evolved species , we need to be aware of the responsibilities and duties which comes in this package.

The path is long and winding before we reach towards a society/ place of close to perfect, compassionate healthy mindset people.

Feeling hopeful and confident, we will.

All that is required is each one changing one,s own mindset.

Love,
Juju 

Monday, December 16, 2019

Modern age sin#Stress#necessity Vs choice

Modern age sin#Stress#necessity Vs choice

These days stress is a word used by every second person, age no bar, caste, profession no bar. Even a two year child says, "Life mein bahut stress hai !" Students, professionals or homemakers or elderly everyone justifies themselves by using this word. Stress is an alibi for all the unfavorable /unwanted outcomes.

It seems as if basics have been forgotten that it,s ones own duty to be happy and peaceful. We need to seek inside. Whatever we need is already within us: sad part is everyone is seeking it from outside, hence in this pursuit, fails in every attempt leading to dissatisfaction and boom pops up the modern age sin " Stress".

This word is loosely used without understanding in depth, the actual meaning. Stress is the difference between expectations and reality (to put it simply) and has various forms like physical, mental, emotional, spiritual, workplace, financial etc. In which ever sphere we are involved, there is bound to be difference in expectations and reality: hence various forms of stress.

Put yourselves in gratitude mode, have complete faith in almighty our creator. Life will become stress free. As mentioned in Holy Gita, " Whatever happens: happens for a reason and for our good. We can not forsee what almighty sees. Have complete faith and move on ". After all the first and last chapters are already written, need to manage in between.

"Our word is our world" is a famous saying. One can change one,s life by changing one,s dictionary of day to day life. As a beginner in this new world of words, try labeling problems as challenges, outcomes as just results, mistakes as experiences. Gradually, one realize the positive impact and becomes a master creator of his/her own dictionary.

Some believe stress is necessary for growth. Stress is not a necessity to live life to the fullest rather a hindrance.  Keep your remote in your own hands and press the reset as often as possible, one will be one step closer to stress free life.

Take Care,

Juju.

Wednesday, November 27, 2019

Roads#Life lessons

Roads# Life lessons

Morning time, school time, drive time, holy time, when you connect
with the almighty in fleeting seconds almost instantly.
Traffic signal caught my attention while driving my son to school today morning. Morning calm and serenity is disturbed by driver’s honking even
at redlight as if the driver ahead ( me)is oblivious to the traffic signal.

It was clear that the next traffic signal lights were in coherence with the above said light. Immediately my thinking cap was on. Why everyone is in such a hurry to cross the red light. Red light is akin to moments of pauses in our lives to think and introspect, whether my ship is navigating in the right direction or do I need to steer, and assess the path ahead.
Even if we cross this red light by overtaking, we need to stop at the next one. So, what’s the hurry?
Let the engine rest (vehicles as well your own body ), then take the best shot in first gear and cross both the green lights at one go maintaining a good speed and saving on fuel and wear tear.
A simple traffic signal emanates so much energy and life’s theory.

Next came the speed breakers on the road. All the vehicles at different positions and speed came to halt, especially the ones at high speed had to make an abrupt halt to cross over. Eventually, all vehicles were at the same pace and position.

Have you ever wondered why these speed breakers are made at the most important roads/ places like-school, temples, residential areas, busiest market places, offices, etc?
The reason is life in these areas is concentrated and hence, very precious. It's time to slow down your speed, cherish life, maneuver slowly and steadily over the speed breaker to avoid hitting your vehicle from below.
Maintain a slow and steady pace, so that speed breakers# challenges in life can be overcome smoothly. The faster the pace, the more abrupt the halt and chances of jolt/injury increase.

The first chapter and last chapter has already been written.
In between, one has to manage.
Happy managing in-between parts of our lives.

Love,
Juju
 


Sunday, November 24, 2019

Half filled glass # Life lesson# 1 approach

Half filled glass # Life

All of us have heard this story about a glass on table, half filled with water.

Million dollar question is- what’s your take on this?
Half filled or half empty……….

Interaction with my FPG always illuminates my mind and thinking process, and a casual conversation yields a new meaning to this old life’s story of half filled glass.

An optimist views it as half filled whereas, a pessimist views it as half empty.

This theory is old, rather obsolete. there are few takes on this.

So what are the newer interpretations.......

One is that one should just pick up the glass and fill it with all his/her might. Why should one waste time? A courageous and determined person will use this approach, rather than ponder ,whether it is empty or filled!

Another is, to fill the remaining glass with either water, milk, juice or anything of one,s own choice and so as to modify the original content.

Wow! never thought like this. In fact such approach should be in all spheres which are not functioning well.
Time to stop, think!
Don’t waste time on analyzing situations.
Get up and act.

As the saying goes,
Doers don’t speak # they act.
Thinkers only speak #don’t, act.

Immersing this theory within, I acted and penned down my thoughts.
Ha! Ha!

Love,
Juju















Friday, November 22, 2019

Hello Raju !!


Hello Raju!!

My ears yearn to hear these two words everyday for the past 53 months.
The voice behind is like music to soul, soothing balm to aching life.

“If dreams were horses, beggars would ride them “, goes the famous old saying which holds true. Actually, I feel like a beggar dreaming of listening to my mom,s voice one more time, with awareness to the highest conscious state that it will remain unfulfilled, until I cross over to the other side.
Cheers! this is not a teary, sad write up. Smile please!

When we meet/call, the energy of our first greeting sets the pace and tone of further moments in both individuals. An enthusiastic, energetic greeting, uplifts the mood with the energy being immediately passed on multiplied many a fold.

“As you sound: thou you shall be”, is my favorite tag line.
Even if one is feeling low, the mere effort to greet in a positive way will uplift the mood and day.

First impression is your last impression. Similarly, first greeting also leaves an everlasting impression.
Make sure that your josh is always high.

One of my friends has wonderful way of replying whenever we meet/call. 
Her reply to how are you?, is always “ Bahut badiya, bahut badiya, zindagi ke nazaare le rahe hain.”

Love,
Juju


Mummy # becomes # Papa



Mummy # becomes # Papa

Another beautiful morning! Bright, sunny, birds chirping, children with their school bags going to school by different modes of transportation

Scene: Driving my son to school.
Thinking stage: a casual remark# thinking cap# introspect

Me: “Hey son!, your dad has gone for a conference, what are our plans for the evening ?”
Son keeps quiet as if meditating
I repeat my question again to catch his attention.

Slowly, he lifts his face and turns towards right, “Mom, are you even aware that when papa is not around, you become papa. I don’t, know how but I sense a complete transformation. It feels like as if my mom is gone and papa has entered her. ”

Me (taken aback): “What do you mean? I am your mom and that's it.”

Son: “You start behaving like papa, become more conscious of everything and in trying to manage single handedly, you lose your temper often,”

Now how cool is this remark “Awwh!!
He continued, “You are at your best self when papa is around. So, I don’t like when papa goes away, even though I am not vocal about this.”

We reach school. He opens the door, tilts his head towards right and smiles
(just like his dad). Hey, mom, you just got your blog topic and runs away happily

I wear my seat belt, put the first gear on. While taking the U-turn back, my mind is crisp clear about the message my son gave me in those two lines.
On introspection, it dawned upon me that when your spouse is not around, the other one become responsible for each and everything, related to children, self, home, work etc. This creates an unknown sense of dual responsibility (rather pressure). On conscious level we are in total control, however,sub-consciously we weigh under this pressure. Hence, the change in behaviour (as children feel).

I remember my momsie - popsie,s golden words,“Raju, dampatya jeevan mein (in married life), husband wife share responsibilities, only their areas are different. Just because one is handling responsibilities which are visible (like- child care, cooking, taking care of house etc, doesn’t mean the other one is not doing his job. This is best perceived when either one leaves for couple of days. A child needs both parents for his overall development. A father readies the child for the world. Child is equally attached to both though is generally more vocal about his/her love for mother.”

At this point, I realized the deep understanding and clear thought process children have although we say, “Arye yeh to bachha hai!.” Bacha hai parr sacha hai,is like a pure diamond unaffected with ways of world.

It is important to keep this thought in our conscious state of brain.
My little son, school jaate jaate, zindagi ka anootha paathh padaa gaya.

Mom, you were right whenever you said, “you will understand your mother more, when you (I) become a mother.” Your Raju understands you more, loves you more, misses you more with each living moment.


Take care,
Juju


Wait to Snickers Break!

My elder monk smiled and entered her arena for a nine hour long fight-a test of mental, physical, emotional strength,  stamina and presence ...