All of us have days when we wake up.. think about the day ahead.. and want to just burrow into the bedclothes and go right back to sleep.. right? Days when we feel overwhelmed.. anxious and maybe just plain and simple stressed about.. days where the fate of something or someone important lie in the balance.. days when we are worried or hassled..
These are invaluable moments because they FORCE us to stop in our tracks.. both - mental and emotional.. and take stock of where we are versus where we want to be.. and need to be.. We get so caught up in completing our "to do" lists.. and getting through the mundane seemingly essential daily tasks that we often stop listening to the little voice at the back of our heads that's gently whispering to us to take it easy.. slow down.. and be kind to ourselves!
That gentle whisper gets ignored.. the feelings keep simmering.. we keep suppressing them.. the whisper gains momentum and before we know it.. it's escalated into a full-blown cry for mercy and help.. AND.. we feel like everything's crashing down around us! Time to pause.. reset.. analyze and understand what's going on.. and recalibrate our lives!
A great analogy (according to me) is saying that life is like a jigsaw puzzle.. our lives are made up of friends family work fun health happiness hobbies travel etc.. and jigsaw puzzles are made up of corner pieces.. and pieces of various colours.. each piece independent and having it's own "place" and each one essential to "completing" the picture at the end!
There are a number of what are popularly referred to as four-letter words and some of them aren't always the most pleasant ones.. but there is another whole list of much more important four-letter words which we need to be aware of and they are : grow.. able.. rest.. flow.. calm.. work.. fill.. with.. home.. and most of all.. LOVE!
Being career-minded and driven, a number of us tend to give too much of ourselves to work and the attendant stresses.. and who are the casualties of this? Friends.. family.. and most of all - ourselves! When our life boat gets rocky, we panic and don't know how to cope and think that the worst is going to happen! The dangerous part is when we start doubting ourselves and our self-worth plummets!
Be aware.. identify your strengths and good qualities.. know how much "you bring to the table" at work and at home.. Make sure you spend time with your parents (if you're lucky enough to still have them).. hang out with your siblings and cousins.. share your desires aspirations and concerns with your spouse.. carve out "quality time" (mobile free) with your children and discuss what's going on in your head and heart with your friends..
We have unique relationships with everyone in our lives and we are all special to each other.. simply because NO ONE ELSE can mean what you mean to the other person and vice versa! ALL these people are vital parts of the puzzle and HOME is where you go at the end of the day to recharge, rejuvenate and get ready to face the world again tomorrow!
Keep your "jigsaw puzzle" carefully in your head and heart.. cherish it.. and discover the pure joy that living an emotionally balanced life can bring.. it's one of the greatest blessings that we are empowered to create for ourselves.. and SO achievable!
Stay aware.. blessed.. thinking.. feeling.. and connected!
Very well said.. every special person and events have place in our mind.. puzzle grows over time...
ReplyDeleteAwareness, gratitude n Blessed 🙏 as usual well written
ReplyDeleteVery well said
ReplyDeleteAbsolute truth...totally resonates with me. So well expressed that it really gets you thinking ..Aah slow down not worth all the stress and run .loved every word of it.Awesome .keep them coming.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful, Pallu !
ReplyDeleteIt brings to my mind the famous poem by W. H. Davies.
What is this life if, full of care,
We have no time to stand and stare.
And it ends with
A poor life this if, full of care,
We have no time to stand and stare.
So as you said, we must find the time to stop, and enjoy the simple pleasures around us !
Very well put with lot of honesty and practical experiences which all of us have gone through.
ReplyDeleteKANAN NAIR
ReplyDeleteThis blog is so appropriate in today's times especially when the world is enslaved by the social media. People are flaunting everything even if it is fake.
Loved the concluding paragraphs. They are effective, articulate and well analysed! Keep writing Pallu!
Why keep puzzle in life u are owner of ur action yes a well thight topic and mentioned clearly. But I think make things clear and never get lost in puzzle if a whisper comes in acts and solve it. Thank you Pallu for showing this missing whisper.
ReplyDeleteWorth to give a thought lovely 😍
ReplyDeleteAs always, it resonates. We all need to remember that we bring something special to the table and no one else can represent who and what we are. Thanks for this, Pallavi... I think most of us need this as an affirmation!
ReplyDelete