Lessons Learnt the Hard Way

Google stream of consciousness. It's weird. It's just crazy. I was blown away when I first learned about it. I thought about how my brain works. There should be some kind of machine that can type the letters at the rate of the words racing through my mind, wait, there is something like that. I think my phone can do something like that. Ah my phone. That thing really is a little piece of magic. There is just so much to do, but I don't feel like doing anything. Tried taking a bath, maybe that would get me in the mood- to no avail. I'd like some tea. I'm cutting down on sugar. I used to take tea that was so sweet. You should ask my son Sufyan. He would make tea for me. It used to be sweet- just like him, never a sweeter soul have I seen on earth. He used to say he that he sprinkled a little Horlicks or something, I can't remember, on the tea- for effect I think. That's just the kind of kid he was. I don't know what he is like today, but I'd like to thi...

It all usually begins with the ringing of a bell downstairs in the wee hours of the morning. That would be my dad disabling the security alarm to unlock the door for me (yes, I'm that useless) as I would soon be headed out for my job. At this point there is a good hour and a half though, but now I'm wide awake. I think of my day ahead. Lately, work has been even more crazier that usual. Fifteen minutes before my driver is due to arrive (and yes, still don't know- or won't learn to drive), I make my way to my vanity- it's a pretty awesome vanity with brushes and serums and makeup and perfumes and other knicks and knacks. This is a special ritual. It's always so enjoyable. Something exciting is happening; I've almost finished my Lancome foundation- it is going to be an empty bottle in a couple of days! Such triumph- such glory!

Dreams. The word has such positive connotations- such an upbeat, motivating and hopeful ring. You dream, you do, you get. That is the general sequence of things I am told. It's sad that I haven't actually had those kind of dreams. Literal dreams. I suppose it's always a good thing to get quite suddenly jolted back into reality only to realise that it was 'only a dream' and then sigh a huge sigh of relief. 'Oh! It was just a dream- thank Goodness!' Yeah. Those are the dreams I dream. Not frequently. Any other dreams I have are just that. Lost into the ether as the first rays of light stream into my awakening eyes. They just leave me with, well nothing, as they should. But not the former kind- oh no! In their wake, they leave a pit in my stomach. One that is filled with strange and not very pleasant feelings- feelings that resurrect what memories I have, with great labour, locked away in a little box, buried deep into a corner of my heart. If that P...

I know it almost sounds like an antithesis. But this is what happened. As you may well know, I had the pleasure of teaching a bunch grade eleven students English Language this year. Suffice it to say that it was the journey. I fell in love with their determination and the more I got to know them, the more I realized their uniqueness. I taught with a zeal and fervor that surpassed my expectations of myself. And this was not lost upon these kids as I was soon going to find out. So today, the third last day of their tenure at school, ready to head out into the 'real world', I was presented with a basket full of goodies shrouded by the thin veil of white gossamer net that was studded with sparkly sequins. Through the net, I could see my two favourite things in the world (amidst other odds and ends): chocolates and random adorable stationery. Well things like this don't happen everyday and I admit I did not take it very well. There was shock, a gaping jaw line and then some...

At each stage of life, I believe, one has his/her key objectives and aspirations. If not, one should have these; otherwise there is no meaning in the life.   For example, when one is a student, his objective will be to pass his exams with good grades. Once that objective is achieved, there will be one or more other objectives.   This key objective is like the goal in football game. There are many hinderances in reaching to the goal and finaling kicking the ball into goal. Even when one has made the final kick, it is possible that the football will hit the poles of the goal. However, if one is a good player, he is likely to kick in the goal making sure that the ball does not hit poles or goes over the goal.   The lesson is that one has to remain focused on his goals. There are players of the opposite team which do not want you to succeed and there are other players of your own team who want you to succeed and are helpful in achieving your goal. ...

With the cool breeze and not so humid days, also come the sniffles and the quiet. Quiet because the hum of fans no longer provides the din in the backdrop of our daily lives. Everything seems suddenly very loud and the walls seem to have more perkier ears than before.With the November temperature, the linens and wool escape the deep recesses of wardrobes. These are adorned with the most magnificent autumn colours; mature, deep and so present in the moment. But for me, November also marks an anniversary- the anniversary of my own escape from the recesses of doom. A full three years since I escaped the bonds of unholy matrimony. But just like the paradox that life is, my children are still lost in the winter bleakness. With a dash of light, comes a pinch of darkness- always.

What is the healthier option? In the first instance, one is inclined to believe that both are imperative for human survival. But then one is forced to think of all the suffering in the world and realizing that refugees in a war torn area do not have the luxury of thinking along the lines of those of us who live in relatively less taxing circumstances. A friend asked me a few days ago what I thought of when the word 'wall' is mentioned. I was going to answer facetiously, 'Trump' but judging by her very serious demeanour, I thought better of it and decided to go with, 'Personal Boundaries'; absolutely! She gave me a wry smile. She confessed she had to go with what was right and what was wrong. This was strange to me, but turns out, my answer was strange to her. She said that the answer she gave depicted that she had an intense desire to please people even if it meant terrible inconvenience at her expense. I on the other hand, had probably passed that ...