My first realization !!!

                  Life has become fast, competition has become the rhythm, and the only aspiration is to earn paid leaves which could be taken forward to next financial year, unsure if it would ever be utilized. This has been the mantra of today’s generation. I am not blaming the world but myself. The decision to work after study was mine and the decision to work after marriage was also mine. No one to question here but was that my passion or my arrogant self-respect which denied to accept the fact that I could also stay at home and still fulfill my accomplishments not every house wife is a daily soap preacher not every working woman is Sheryl Sandburg. But when you are in denial mode everything seems wrong and you are called judgmental.

                  My life is pretty much an open book nothing to overdo or nothing to brag about. When fortune knocked at the door I was flying high and opted every bit of the clue. But after sailing the boat for years together when I look back I was taken back with the shock that the accomplishments are not worth for the sacrifices I did. The sacrifices did not sound big when I did from skipping a meal, eating junk, working late night,  postponing a dinner date and the list is long. Today I have grown unhealthy, allergic to tons of things cannot breath in fresh air cause of pollen. I ask few questions to myself have I met my goals? Was this what I have always longed for? What if I would have opted for healthy life over a successful life?

                All these questions were unveiled when I had been to US for a short trip. People here as well rush for the success but unlike me their priorities health over money and enjoyment over commitment and personal life  over career have given me a jaw dropping experience. Here people leave early to go out and enjoy TODAY over yesterday and then get back to work. Here also they slog over nights but without sacrificing the meals, dinner dates, movies. Here they get loads of time to spend with each other, no one looks at you when you leave early from office, no one ticks the watch when you arrive. These things seem to be small but was impactful when I witnessed it. It was a trip of two weeks flew like a dream. I would always remember this as one of my best moments shared with none other but myself. Explored everything from cooking to shopping to hunting to flirting. I actually relived a life of a college girl. However, I never knew of this fun when I was in college.

                  I had always seen people brain drained to different countries for better opportunity, for better earning or may be for a mere peer pressure. And being the spectator I had always criticized them for such decision of their own. I have never urged or felt bad for not moving out to a different country, could be the upbringing or the roots from military that had made me feel this way. I had been to other countries for vacations or leisure still I was not convinced to migrate from my base. People post return do campaign about the experience and thoughts of their cognizance executed so far. All this have never mesmerized me to be taken away from my root notions.

                This time I was convinced not by the money, not by the pressure, not by the fame but by the work life balance culture of here. The freedom of not thinking about future which is in any case uncertain. I wish I do come here for work again.

     “Even the smallest changes in our daily routine can create incredible ripple effects that expand our vision of what is possible.”

My First Inspiring Woman’s Week !!!

             It was a Wednesday morning when we, the woman folk, visited a carried away place called Karunashraya. A place where we learnt two new vocabs palliative care and hospice center. A moderately aged person sat in front of us and started a simple conversation which he tagged later as the orientation. The entire conversation was mesmerizing made me feel good about what I am today, what I am blessed with.

             Karunashraya, a place full of hope… a place who adorns when you fall into lonesome. It’s in pragmatic and hospice center which gives palliative care to the patients abandoned from hope as they are suffering from last stage of Cancer. To devote some meaning, palliative care means “Remedy that alleviates pain without curing”, yes they give care to a patient who is suffering from non-curing disease.

             This is formed back in 1994 and declared themselves to be free from charges for the services they would provide. Not to forget the place is nowhere close to hospital, it was a meditation center and greenery talked about it to be a resort. They are now accommodated with 55 in patients and 68 staffs to materialized what they had dreamt about.

Talking to one person made us feel so empathetic that our heart wept for them. Each one in that center had an amazing story, few stories we could lock in our memory and few needed time, which we all fall short of. 

              The only target for the serving people is to full fill those patient’s wish weather it’s a craving to have idly for breakfast or meeting Amir Khan. Every small or big wishes are handled with care that’s the definition of Karunashraya. It reminds me of the saying:

Coming together is a beginning. Keeping together is progress. Working together is success

My First Marriage Anniversary being a Mother !!!

Milk coupon… Checked, feeding bottles sterilized… checked, toys sterilized… checked, clothes for laundry… checked, water filled… checked… diaper stock refill… checked annndd… my half opened eyes denied to be awake and I plunged on the bed. It was night 02:45 a.m. when I looked into the watch ticking in my bedroom. My 6 months daughter was wide-awake and yelling at me for delaying her midnight feed. With her feed my night finally ended with a sleep.

Morning alarm echoed like a death bell and I was at my knees with the fraction of seconds as I didn’t want my daughter to wake up. I took a yawn and kissed my daughter, a sleeping diva. I finish my bath as soon as possible and come out like a marathon winner. By that time my princess already had taken care by her daddy. From this moment the life is not of a human but of a robot, well I feel so. Baby’s oil massage, her bath, her feed and her bag pack, which contains her day to day articles.  Continued with preparing food and the menu goes like, breakfast for us and the baby, lunch for us and the baby, dinner for us and the baby. I took out washed clothes to be dried. I had arranged the cleaned vessels and had served breakfast for everyone, a family affair.

Now we three, mommy daddy and the baby, are ready for the work. The first priority has always been our daughter so with heavy heart she is taken to the day care, not that they are monsters and would not treat my gorgeous well, on the contrary they are trained nannies they would take care of my baby a way better. All said and done but my heart wept for her and with that guilt I reached office. It’s already 09:45 a.m. which means I am running late by 15 minutes.

In next 10 minutes I browsed my mails and checked the latest update, issues to address, and next steps to discuss. Joined the call and did the best ever, this small achievement of getting the call right gives a positive vibe. The day runs on 5th gear, meetings, mails, calls, escalations, appreciations. A team member walks up to me who happens to be a fresher and says “Thank you! I am in love with the work you have assigned”. He was not my supervisor neither did I get any award but that statement was unbeatable feeling. I got another push to achieve a little extra mile. With the broad smile in my face I walked to my desk where I saw a mail invitation for a presentation to leadership to be taken care. My jaw was wide open. The slides were ready long back. But was the meeting today? I am so damn nervous, butterflies’ cockroaches and God knows what and all, are playing hide and seek in my tummy. The anxiety had almost killed me at the meeting reminder which said 5 minutes to begin. I took a deep breath and gulp my fear within started my presentation which was improvising with every passing minutes. I did it! I completed with flying colors.  Before I could rethink on my quick achievements, my supervisor messaged me to have a cup of coffee I was already ready to go for.  A coffee with my supervisor was a cherry on the cake with her I felt at home the feathery touch on simple advices had fine-tuned me further. I bought some chocolates. And the clock finally strokes 5:45 p.m. I held my handbag and drafted my final mail.

After walking for few minutes reached the day care. My darling was sleeping on her daddy’s arm. I took my baby into my arms and hear the complete day’s activity from the nanny. Her log book was handed over to us and we enter our car to drive back home. The moment we unlocked the door our baby is fully awake and brightened up. We spent time played with the little angel, her only smile makes the day perfect. I covered few calls in the evening and rushed down to see my baby’s where about. I fed her and put her to sleep. I leave the room in mutely and spent some time in chatting over dinner with my husband. After finishing my meals went to sterilize the feeding bottles and sterilized the toys. I took out the clothes from the cloth line. Arranged baby’s wardrobe and prepared the bed. I filled the water bottles. I verified my checklist, and while tying my hairs I looked into my watch it was 11:45 p.m. I take out my hand bag and searched for chocolates which I bought and offer my husband.  He smiled and asked me what’s special… I said… Happy Marriage Anniversary honey!!!

“A woman is the full circle. Within her is the power to create, nurture and transform.”