Some days, I am tired of everything, nothing in particular, yet anything, routines of morning and evening, tasks in general and during. What should I do? change my thinking or my to-do. may be, I will need to do both, thoughts and actions to move forth. Feelings are important to set the stage, but doing is what will open the cage. I will begin with positive thinking, follow up with actions to stop sinking, Both will have to come together to my rescue, mind and matter connection is not new, one cannot be used for another in lieu, each has a place on the human life pew. Rich thoughts without actions are empty, and actions bereft of feelings are not plenty. both will have to join hands, to help me reach new lands.
Category: mental health
Sad days
Some days are just sad, Seems nothing can be done or had, Despite best effort to not feel bad, Things don’t work in direction of glad. Are those times just to be endured? Hoping clouds clear, equanimity restored, Sadness and sorrow cured, And normalcy implored. Sadness imparts vital life lesson, Like power of slowing down and small action, Retrospection and self suggestion, Merits of inner connection. We learn enhanced appreciation for happy times, And also to take the sad in the stride, Strategies to rise above the situational grime, Dust off and pick up to enjoy the ride.
Thanksgiving
Thanks for this life, For all that has been rife, Thanks for the lessons, Without them, I would not be this person. Feeling gratitude is not tough, Once we look beyond the rough. Roses too come with thorn, Challenges in life are to be borne, Some days will be fast, others-slow, Some bring contentment, others not so. Life teaches to take all in stride, And stand tall in high and low tide. Life is a miracle, Cherish it as a spectacle, Experiences are to savor, Like foods with different flavor. Judgements incite unrest, Abstaining works best, Live and let live is the way, Leading to peace, harmony and hay.
Maturity
Is maturity, a gain of perspective? Does it mean-more objective? Less reactive. More introspective. Do we finally begin hearing more and speaking less, Caring not just for outer, but how we insides dress. Can we casual comments and actions ignore? And not let every word or action, harbor, linger or store. Do we become more caring and kind? Learn to our own businesses mind. Stop taking pleasure in gossip and tale, Understand life will not always be glee and gale. Do we stop seeking other's acceptance? Learn to maintain healthy distance. Does what gives us pleasure changes? And we learn to choose our bandages. Do we mold practices that no longer calm? Update lifestyles with lesser qualms. Learn more about healthy ways and balm, And the power of silence, smiles and salaam.
Letting Go
I remember as a child losing a favorite toy, Nothing said could bring back the joy. After tears, tenderness and time, I accepted the loss, And learnt a lesson of acceptance and moving across. Letting go is a complex art, Attachments are like sweet and sour tart, Detachment is not something for which we have a draft, Yet, life and living demands that we embrace this craft. Though generations before us have walked this path, Yet, each individual is on one’s own swath. Slowly we learn not all lost can be restored, Sadness and sorrow have also to be endured. Loosening chords can cut sharper than a knife, Yet, holding on is against the natural order of life. Since losses in life are rampant and rife, It does not help to put up a strife. The sojourn of acceptance, Is not bereft of inner agitation, Can challenge many a disposition, But leads to affirmation and personal evolution.
Power Source
Morning and evening I see a sunflower, turn its head towards its fount of power. Like a flower, we too, need a force, to run or turn to for our life source. Belief in a higher power, a person, a place or anything, Can bring us back from the fringe. When life gets overwhelming, we need soothing and calming. Since dives and drops -big and small, are not all easy to independently haul, support and shoulder are essential for all, to help us rise from life's plunges and fall(s). With time we realize who’s on our side, or who’s suggestions we can abide, there are few, with whom our heart can truly stride, finding souls to share concerns with, is no easy ride. Seeking solace in faith, family, friends or book, dance, music, songs or a special nook, identifying and nurturing one or more ways, can still and soothe when nerves run astray.
Lockdown Memories
From a life that seemed like a constantly moving mill, A never ending hill. Allowing no time to stand or sit still. Demanding one more chore, one more bill-a constant drill. Lockdown provided time for contemplation, Away from external and nearer to inner connection, Hours were spent in reckoning and reflection, And also in self suggestion and correction. I cherished and appreciated the rush-free time, Rare, precious, and sublime. Early morning hours of mine, Allowed me to connect with self and divine. Beyond worldly concerns and care, I could sit back and inside stare. Think of twists and turns in life’s line, And recall events in the churns of time. Suddenly there were hours to pursue a dormant hobby, That for years had no lobby. I read some old books, stories and lore, Wrote and rewrote like years before, Delved into some old diary pages. Reflected on them like sages. Thought about life’s many wonders, And how to fit in, without blunders. Spent and cherished time with loved ones, Strolls in nature were second to none. Technological advances helped hear and see, Voices and faces of other dear ones and me. Some days were gentle and tender. Others had rain and thunder. Accepting both without protest. Continued to be the biggest and toughest test. My way to beat the blues was to work and rest, Think, read and reflect with zest. But one abiding tenet of my nest, Laughter together is the ultimate savior-the very best.
Women and Work
Pondering on continuing pandemic induced effect, Job losses affecting women the worst, makes me reflect, Pressures of juggling home and work are not hard to detect, High time we recognize these imbalances and help deflect. As a society, we cannot be oblivious to this grave reality, Women’s short and long term wellbeing is not a banality. The urgent and pressing need is for true equality, Physical, mental and emotional labor distribution is not a triviality. Toggling multiple fronts can take their toll, Findings reveal these facts, poll after poll. Shouldering varied roles and duties pull women in opposite way, Continually, balancing work and personal fronts are no easy play. Can a woman's myriad responsibilities be truly prioritized? Can multitude of roles and responsibilities be correctly categorized? Can one role adequately monopolize? What happens when women have to persistently sift and strategize? All tasks demand time, effort and energy to sway, Unequal distribution of chores is a heavy price to pay, Dissimilar pay and perks for same work is not okay, Societally, we urgently need to find a better, sustainable way.
Thoughts
Choice of our thoughts, Determines a lot. Thoughts may emerge from an unknown spot, But how we direct them, is in our pot. I can choose to be thankful, Or I can be resentful. We get opportunities to feel both, To like and love or dislike and loathe. Circumstances for sure determine our moods, But our overall constitution is on what we brood. Resilience is an acquired trait, Negativity is an attractive bait. With deliberate practice it has to be set aside, And replaced with positive thoughts, actions and vibe. Our mornings set the tone of the day, Small steps to feel and flow go a long way. Practicing positivity is no easy play, But regular efforts can lessen mood fray. Beginnings and endings are vital to start right, Mind recalls and replays events at night, Setting aside thoughts of happenings is not easy or light, But peace of mind is the ultimate reward in sight.
In Between
From the texts that teach, To the men that preach, Faith lies in between. From fervent declarations of love, To blood thirsty hate, Control like a trapeze artist balances in between. From zenith of joy and happiness, To depths of despair and sadness, Equanimity satisfies in between. From playful, carefree childhood, To pensive, responsibilities filled adulthood, Life is to be savored in between. From quiet contemplation, To intense discussions, Wisdom searches a niche in between. From passions that overcome obstacles, To indifference leading to humdrum, Vast majority live in between. From follies and frivolities of youth, To sagacity of the golden years, Moments and memories of life are lived and made in between