Walking Delights

It is said that when we continue doing something for about 21 days , it will become a habit. I am going to find out for myself whether it is a fact. I decided to go for a brisk walk every evening at least for 21 days in a row.I began this so-called experiment yesterday and will keep doing it,hopefully, for 21 days.


This is not the first time I have decided to go for my daily walks.Each year I resolve to walk every evening and the same thing is repeated, I always find some excuse for not doing it.The reasons vary from an interesting programme on the television,loads of school work,too much fatigue to just plain boredom.


But whenever I have gone on my walks, I have come back rejuvenated. The walks take a load off my shoulders and give me some ME time.I keep striding ahead with my thoughts for company.The joggers park at Mulund has an audio system which turns out some great songs and I hum along.I have had many interesting teaching ideas or poems and plays sorted out in my head during the course of my walks.


At times it is interesting to hear the snippets of conversation of the other walkers who venture out.The conversations drift from recipes to boyfriends,stock markets to mother-in-law woes and from weight loss issues to television serials.


Walking is one of the few pleasures that comes free.We tend to undermine the importance of the brisk walks.It is not that we have to go on our walks only if we want to lose weight ,a walk rejuvenates,makes us feel calmer and keeps us fit. In spite of knowing all this I have been neglecting my walks and this time I have decided to change it.Hopefully, I will keep experiencing the delights of walking for a long time.Looking forward to a fitter and slimmer me!

Women Cannot Drive

Women Cannot Drive

I do not agree with this but that's what a majority of people believe , not because they have experienced a bad woman driver at some time or the other but because it is the way women drivers are stereotyped.

At some point or the other in life we have stereotyped someone,a group or community.The motion films we watch too, have a great role in forming stereotypes.The wicked step-mother,the cruel mother-in-law,the drunk Peter or Tony.........the list goes on.

We often judge people even before we really know them well enough.When we stereotype someone we assume in advance their action,aptitude or their behaviour.We decide how they are or how they will react.

Stereotyping blinds us to the true worth of people.For instance not all women are bad drivers. I have so many of my female friends who are just at ease behind the wheel as they are in their kitchens.Not all Christians are drunks and nor is it a true that all mothers -in -law are cruel.

Mankind is progressing rapidly.What was thought to be impossible years ago is a possibility now.We have to believe in the potential of each and every individual and never underestimate what another can do.What is true for one or a few may or may not be true for the rest so why make judgements?

So, the next time you pass any random remark about someone make sure that the mask of stereotyping  is not affecting your judgement in any way.Do not go by hearsay,find out for yourself with an open mind. 

In fact, if there is someone who has said to you "I don't think you can do it," just turn behind and say to him/her,"Just watch me!" and prove them wrong.

Being a Mom.........

It was eighteen years ago that it happened.I was given the tag of being Shreya's Amma,and that is how it has remained since.That day onward began my experiences as a young first-time mother.Slowly, but surely, I handled all the challenges that came with child-rearing-nappy rashes,colic,toddler tantrums,intense hunger pangs,potty training, vaccinations.......and so on.Though challenging it was something that changed my life and made me more patient and made me appreciate my parents role in my life in a much better way.We learn so much more about our parents and their hardships when we become parents ourselves.When we are kids we tend to find fault with so many things they do but when we are parents we understand the thought behind their actions.

More challenges came my way in the form of school admissions,study habits,exam fever,fever of the other kind,temper tantrums,appreciating her good and reprimanding her for misdeeds,juggling time schedules to match Shreya's karate class,athletics,dance class,drawing class........and the like.I braved all of those too with much help from my better half.. We have enjoyed her little moments of joy and have been with her in her hard times like her friend crisis,homework blues,exam tensions etc. The journey so far has not been all smooth sailing.There have been awful as well as awesome days.There have been times when there was bickering,back-answering,lying ,infatuations and the like.

Now after she has become an adult I am sure there will be so many more challenges that will come my way.This is when I can expect her to demand a two-wheeler,time out with her friends,more pocket money,new clothes,more freedom,infatuation,boy friends..........the list can go on.She is on top of the world as she says that now she can vote,donate blood,drive a car and watch adult movies!

After all these years, just looking at my daughter makes me proud to see how well she has grown.She may not be bringing the best of marks on her result sheet but I know that she is focused on what she has to do in life. She knows the value of money and does not make too many demands.She is kind-hearted and conscientious.I am glad she has learnt to speak out her mind and think for herself without going with herd mentality.Though I do not consider myself to be a good cook, she does not not agree and always eats the food I make with relish.The way she says,"Wow!Mummy ,this tastes so good!Nobody can make this better than you." lifts my spirits like nothing else could.When we taught her to speak out her mind we did not realise that it may back-fire on us as she does not accept anything without being well-convinced and at times makes us realise that we too can be at fault,being parents does not mean that we are always right.

My little karate champ is growing fast and I am enjoying all her small and big achievements.She has made my life so much more meaningful.On her eighteenth birthday I remember that little Shreya who brought a smile on my lips and am glad that even today she is full of wit and humour and fills my life with untold joy.As she goes through life's challenges I hope she takes the right path and  gains more confidence with each passing day.I hope she sees each failure as a lesson and learns something from all her experiences.

As her mom I wish her the very best in life.I want to tell her that life is not about what cards you are dealt but about how well you play your cards.I know that I cannot expect her to have a life sans any strife and challenges so I will wish for her to become a stronger person who accepts the challenges and moves ahead.