Archana's Adventure

Preamble: During Blogchatter's A2Z challenge during the month of April 2024,  I plan to write mini stories on various subjects and characters on each day of the month except on Sundays. The name of the protagonist shall begin with the alphabet assigned for the day. 

"Don't move! said the masked man pointing a gun at Archana. Everyone in the second AC compartment of the Delhi- Chandigadh  train were shocked, speechless and unable to move. Archana moved swiftly overpowering the assailant. Not for nothing had she learnt Karate at school! The move, however, proved futile and dangerous as another man hit her on the head knocking her down unconscious. 

Head bandaged, Archana was at the dining table back in her Delhi home seated with her husband Neeraj and two teen aged children. "It is just as well that you decided to come back instead of proceeding to Chandigarh and then by road to your parents place at Kullu (in Himachal Pradesh). Thank God you are safe! " said Neeraj.

 It was Neeraj who suggested a change of scene when Archana complained of 'Writer's block' for some months now. People spent a lot of money for holidaying in Kullu- Manali. You just have to visit and relax at your parent's farm and come back fresh and rejuvenated" he had said. "Hey, there's a silver lining in all this" smiled Archana " I no longer have the writer's Block!" 

NB: This post is a part of  challenge #BlogchatterA2Z 

Participation in the Blogchatter A2Z Challenge 2024

 

This year participating in the challenge I plan to write mini stories on various subjects and characters. Although no word limit is self imposed, the stories will essentially be very short seeking to say more in less words. The challenge starts on 1st April and participants write whole through the month everyday on one alphabet with a break on the four Sundays in the month.

I am looking forward to the interesting and unique challenge and seek the support of all readers. friends and well wishers! 

Temporary Stand Off

The task from the Storytellers Bloghop Season 4 as a finale challenge was to write a 6 line story based on the picture prompt in a poetic form! This is what I came up with....

Thick friends from times of Kindergarten

Mischief Mike and Marvellous Molly

had a tiff, now not on talking terms

tough to keep on the act though- a little mischief

from Mike or a sweet smile from Molly

and it's back to warm hug, restored friendship once again! 

NB:   Readers who missed reading my entry/story  "Price of Self Actualization" for the Bloghop can read it here at this link

Random Thoughts on Karma

Preamble: I wrote this piece on the call given by a literary group on Facebook to write on "Karma". These are random thoughts that came to mind. Although the concept has been used by vested interests to have control over the lives of the majority who live in poverty and penury (suggesting they deserved the pain/adverse circumstances they experienced) , it can be employed positively too to lead a life of righteousness and kindness since the very concept suggests that "we reap what we sow" whether immediately in this life or the lives to follow. As there were word restrictions imposed by the literary group, this was written very briefly.

The concept of ‘Karma’ is associated with Eastern religions like Hinduism and Buddhism. On broad lines, it is about reaping what you sow. You pay the price or get paid for your actions whether good or bad in the same coin. In a way, the concept of ‘Karma’ deterred people from doing evil for fear of having to bear the consequences. On the other hand, it encouraged you to do good unto others so that you also get paid back in the same way.

The concept of ‘Karma’ is being increasingly known and understood in the West as well. There is a lot more interest in reincarnation and how the deeds in one life impacts the present or future lives. On the other hand, in India, with education and exposure to science and the Western culture, there is no longer a blind belief in the operation of the ‘Karma’ concept particularly in urban areas. With passage of time, crimes have increased manifold. We find evils such as dowry deaths and crimes against women including gang rapes increasing in the country.

Politicians have become more blatant in using muscle power, money power and horse trading for wresting and retaining power. Corporates today exhibit excessive greed in making profits with even CSR★ being used as a branding mechanism to project themselves rather than for paying back to the society that facilitated and contributed to their growth.

If the concept of ‘Karma’ is understood in the right spirit and people educated as to its implications on life, we could still use it to encourage citizens to live a life of virtue with focus on ethics and the welfare of all beings. “Do unto others what you would like to be done unto you” would be a natural maxim to live by, when ‘Karma’ is understood in its true and beneficial form.

★CSR: Corporate Social Responsibility 

Myriad Colours of Womanhood

Role of  the fair sex changing 

transforming so fast, before you realize it 

from being the pivot for success 

of every man, child , she now has

to pay attention, devote time 

for  her own personal success as well! 

A multitasker unparalleled , she

deals with the challenge on daily basis 

of connecting the many dots 

of satisfying the demands of being

mother, wife, an employee, daughter to parents 

dealing with various moods like 

sense of fulfillment, one moment

to a 'thankless job' at other times... 

Realizing and acknowledging the impossibility 

of  'perfection' in each role, each time, every time 

is the way forward for a peaceful, meaningful life 

Moving away from being the chronic  'People pleaser '  

to one having time for 'self love' & 'self care' as well!  

NB: The poem was composed for the Seniors Today poetry meet on 15th March 2024.  

Heartbeat

 

This poem was composed on the call given  for a short poem (with  restrictions on no: of lines), by a Facebook literary group in February 2024 during the week leading to 'Valentines Day' 

How can your beat, be my heartbeat

When trapped in the form of a physical body?

It's only a  myth perpetuated by popular cinema 

“Beats for you, for life” only an oft repeated,  reiterated lie 

 On special occasions like the valentine’s day

With time, the declarations mouthed ‘mechanically’

Even as they lack depth, sincerity from inside.... 

 True, , when no longer restricted by physical forms

Entire macrocosm beats as one, a single universal beat 

But then, there’s no longer ‘You’, ‘me’ or ‘them’  

Just a single heartbeat of the universe 

Encompassing all there is....

Four Values that matter to me

 

I participated in the daily writing challenge of Blogchatter wherein I used the opportunity to write for a future book. However, on a couple of days,  I wrote on the prompts suggested . This is one of them.

Presently, we live in a period referred to as ‘Kaliyuga’ which according to the Hindu scriptures is the last of the four yugas (cyclic time spans). During this period values take a beating and reaches its lowest ebb marked by conflict and sin. A fresh cycle of a new Mahayuga then starts with the arrival of Satyuga wherein dharma, truth, honesty and other values are reestablished.

It is no wonder then that in our country and all over the world there has been a decline in righteousness as also in the practice and upholding of values. There is so much of greed in society with everyone seemingly asking “What is in it for me?” . The aim is to get what you want any which way, even at the expense and damage to others. Cases of fence eating the crop is on the rise with the younger generation not having good role models to emulate.

At this stage of our discussion, I feel it apt to disclose the first of the key values that is important or matter to me. (1) Authenticity: I value the quality of "words matching one's actions"- Practicing what you preach. Let us take the case of an executive who frequently speaks about punctuality but is himself late most of the time. Mismatch happens when you praise the importance of teamwork but reward individual brilliance even when the person is known to sabotage teamworking.

(2) Happiness: It is an important value to be pursued so long as you do not infringe on the rights or happiness of others. Many people do not do the things that make them happy because their spouse does not like it or the job is too demanding. As for example 'Hiking' or 'travelling' may be the activity that gives you a lot of happiness but you have not engaged in it in for ages since bachelor days because spouse doesn't like it. For others it could be 'Dancing' or 'Singing' that they have given up due to external pressures or commitments.

(3) Balance : A balance in what ever one does is an important value for me. Let us take the example of the various roles we may play in life. We are employees at a company while at the same time a spouse/parent/ friend/sibling/ Son or daughter. Doing very well in any one area at the expense of all other areas cannot be termed "Success". We have heard of workaholics who are hardly available to their families. On the other hand, a politician blinded by the 'Love' for his offspring focuses not on serving the society that reposed trust in him but on the interests of his family and resorting to corrupt practices cannot in the long run be held a 'Success'. A balance between work and play and taking adequate care of your physical, mental, social and spiritual self is an important value for me.

(4) Humility: I tend to be put off by people who are boastful by nature. 'Dropping names' frequently of one's proximity to "who's who' is to me equally abhorrent behaviour. I have always felt that no matter how high your achievements, your head should be "on your shoulders" and legs firmly on the ground. Children learn from their parents and citizens from their leaders at work or in public service. Sadly, we have poor role models today. Humility was highly valued in Indian ethos and society. Self - aggrandizement seems to be the norm these days. What once repulsed people, is now applauded and glorified as 'intelligent' behaviour. After all, we live in the Kaliyuga and mankind is destined to see even more terrible times before the new dawn.

Meanwhile, in order to survive in difficult times, readers are exhorted to hold tight to values that matter to them. It may be the only beacon of light in a world that is crumbling under its own weight of unethical ways.

Price of Self- Actualization

This story is written, participating in the Storytellers Bloghop season 4 on the theme "Whispers of Womanhood: Fictional echoes of feminine stories" 

The reporter from “The Times” took leave and left Radhika’s flat. It was obvious whole through the interview,that the girl was in awe of Radhika- a lady who had lived life on her terms, pursued a corporate career of her choice, gave up husband when he appeared to be a stumbling block to achieving her level of ‘Self-actualization’. She had given up old friends who she felt were stuck in a time warp to find new ones. Naturally, the twenty something reporter was impressed. Radhika was just the person many would love to have as a role model.

After the girl had left, Radhika slumped into her favourite couch. A number of faces appeared before her in lightning speed and disappeared as instantly. There was her former husband, Ajay. He was speaking with a lot of emotion “If you had no intention to become a mother why did you marry? At least, you could have told me before hand your priorities before we married!”

“Ajay, ours was a love marriage. You loved me for myself and surely that was the only thing that mattered when we married. Now you are coming up with issues that infringe on my freedom. I also did not know my potential as a financial expert until much later. My career is cruising and I have a bright future in my company. it would be foolhardy to get tied up with motherhood at this time”

This was one of the many arguments Radhika had with Ajay. He was not happy with her frequent travels. When Ajay was transferred to another location over 2000 Kms away, her commitments at work did not allow her to move with him .

Another face that came up before her was that of her father Deepak who had always been supportive of their only child but was seemingly prudent when it came to counsel during important or crucial decisions. “Beti, you can’t have a family life operating from different cities;better you move to Delhi with Ajay and secure a good job in the capital” he had advised. But Radhika was not convinced. She was at a higher position in the corporate ladder and was earning a lot more than Ajay. “Why couldn’t he look for a job in Bangalore instead ?” she had argued.

However, it was her mother Subhadra who stood by her no matter what. “ I was the brightest kid in our family. Only because I was a girl, my parents did not support me for pursuing a career of my choice or realizing my full potential.” She had said. “Your father also did not encourage me beyond a point. You go ahead girl and do what you think is best for you. The sky is the limit for an intelligent and talented girl like you!”

So with the moral support of her mother and listening to her gut feeling, she embarked on the mission to "Be the best she can be". Radhika focused on her career. She agreed to Ajay’s request for divorce by mutual consent and was able to devote full time to her job. The results were for all to see. She saw a meteoric rise in career and became the Director of Finance at the age of 35. Highly acclaimed in professional circles, she was invited to many conferences and meets as the key note speaker or panelist.

In the meanwhile, both her parents had transitioned to the other world. Radhika lives alone with her pet Sonu and a devoted maid Ganga who takes care of the house and looks after the dog, taking him out for a walk in her absence. Ganga is happy most of the time. But sometimes she complains indirectly about being alone in the house for long hours with no one to talk to. "Didi, Sonu also misses you. These days, you are not taking him out for walks even during the weekend." Radhika would make amends for a while but would return to the fast pace of life, sooner than later.

Some would say that Radhika had paid a price for her freedom and huge success both in terms of personal and social life. Her close friends though marvel at her boldness and decisiveness. It is the natural law of life that “We win some and lose some”. Those who claim to "have it all" are pretenders or liars. “You cannot have an omelet without breaking an egg”, her best friend pointed out often and Radhika felt reassured.

Today at 45 years of age , there are times when Radhika asks herself the question, like when the reporter girl had just left home “ In my life journey so far, the price of a little compromise was worth paying for the big achievements, wasn’t it?”

Sometimes an emphatic ‘Yes’ came from inside of her. At other times, like on a lonely evening, she was not so sure.

NB: According to Abraham Maslow, American psychologist, self-actualization represents the highest level of psychological development, where individuals strive to realize their full potential, pursue personal growth, and achieve self-fulfillment.

⭐This story is a part of #Storytellersbloghop season 4, hosted by https://auraofthoughts.com/  and  https://mywordsmywisdom.com/