Self Love

Dear Readers

Taken from my freind Kausar's FB page, these immortal lines by Gabriel Gonsalves are an amazing life lesson. I was so moved by the sheer power of it:

As I began to love myself I found that anguish and emotional suffering are only warning signs that I was living against my own truth. Today, I know, this is AUTHENTICITY.

As I began to love myself I understood how much it can offend somebody if I try to force my desires on this person, even though I knew the time was not right and the person was not ready for it, and even though this person was me. Today I call it RESPECT.

As I began to love myself I stopped craving for a different life, and I could see that everything that surrounded me was inviting me to grow. Today I call it MATURITY.

As I began to love myself I understood that at any circumstance, I am in the right place at the right time, and everything happens at the exactly right moment. So I could be calm.  Today I call it SELF-CONFIDENCE.

As I began to love myself I quit stealing my own time, and I stopped designing huge projects for the future.  Today, I only do what brings me joy and happiness, things I love to do and that make my heart cheer, and I do them in my own way and in my own rhythm. Today I call it SIMPLICITY.

As I began to love myself I freed myself of anything that is no good for my health – food, people, things, situations, and everything that drew me down and away from myself.  At first I called this attitude a healthy egoism. Today I know it is LOVE OF ONESELF.

As I began to love myself I quit trying to always be right, and ever since I was wrong less of the time. Today I discovered that is MODESTY.

As I began to love myself I refused to go on living in the past and worrying about the future.  Now, I only live for the moment, where everything is happening. Today I live each day, day by day, and I call it FULFILLMENT.

As I began to love myself I recognized that my mind can disturb me and it can make me sick.  But as I connected it to my heart, my mind became a valuable ally. Today I call this connection WISDOM OF THE HEART.

We no longer need to fear arguments, confrontations or any kind of problems with ourselves or others. Even stars collide, and out of their crashing new worlds are born. Today I know THAT IS LIFE!

Thank You God for sending me this sign to let me know : All is well! 

F*** Women Empowerment : On Women's Day

Dear God

There is so much hue and cry about women empowerment and feminism these days. With movies like Thappad  and Pati, patni aur woh running side by side, we women have a hard time understanding which way the society wants us to go. Just a slap is said in so many tones of disbelief. But life for a woman is a series of slaps.

The very first slap is some of us are denied the right to be born! The second when we are made to walk, talk and behave in a certain way. The society is so happy to raise non rational, robotically obedient, ignorant women. The moment we start taking decisions on our own or voicing opinions, we are considered dangerous and our wings are clipped.

So many weapons in the society’s armory!! From log kya kahenge  to aisi ladkiyon ke sath aisa hi hota hai… What I am telling you today is nothing new God. This is something I have encountered on a daily basis.

Last time we talked about the power (!) of assertiveness. Today I can tell you a tale of apathy. I lost a loved one recently and I still do not have the courage to put my pain in words. But my heart cries due to the blatant disregard shown to the departed soul. That and the way people took my absence as an opportunity to gossip about it. God please knock some sense into these people.

I met my immediate superior the other day and the first thing he says is Why I didn’t come to a certain party? Really Sir? Won’t you give me time to come to terms with my grief? Shame on the people who do not understand how difficult it is to come back to the workplace after such a terrible loss. So many days I hide my tears and put up a brave face. But others, I just feel like running away from all this.

I had no shame in refusing to be a part of the Women’s Day festivities. I have yet to find a reason to celebrate.  Women are still being raped, the glass ceiling is still there, I am still being judged terribly for my choice of attire and what not! Why should I celebrate, You tell me God?

I am going through a really rough patch in life. But with You by my side, I believe firmly I will be out of the dark soon. God please bestow me with enough courage to handle these challenges You have thrown my way. I hope to celebrate the Women’s Day one day….some day… But not yet.