Guru Purnima – Teacher’s Day

~ Rupali (In my Pursuit to Satisfaction...) ~ 2 Comments

Guru Purnima as celebrated in India is equivalent to the concept of teacher’s day celebrations worldwide. The difference is that it’s just not 5th September on the English calendar. It’s a day dedicated to thank our gurus (teachers) as per Indian Calender, for their selfless service for making us what we are or a part of it.

Today is the 15th day of the moon cycle when moon will shine big and bright, the light cutting the darkness of night and hence called Purnima (Full moon night).

Similarly, the gurus in our lives help us to see beyond the darkness of our lives, igniting sense of knowledge and understanding. A guru by definition is a teacher who makes us learn and we generally imagine it to be the one who had helped us to study, read and write. However our biggest guru is our life who in it presents us with indefinite number of gurus i.e.the ones who teach us lessons of life.

I am grateful towards my mother, my sister, my father, my brother, my husband, my relatives and my freinds, all of which have helped me, actively or passively, to become what I am, what I always wanted to become. And then I am also grateful towards all those whose activities made me realise and aware of what I don’t want to become, and over the years I realised those were also important teachers of my life.!

This post is dedicated to all my teachers, be it from school, college, tuitions, coaching, job and life..

P.S.-My husband reminded me of thanking Google too for the endless support😜

Help that woman around you

~ Rupali (In my Pursuit to Satisfaction...) ~ 4 Comments

World is progressing with growing economies, blooming urbanization, improving education methods and standards, technologically advanced health facilities, reducing infant mortality rates, flourishing real estate, successful entrepreneurs and majority countries being democratic. These are all numbers which are making progress but the basic human values seems to be ignored in the backdrop of all this when a woman in a family is abused, ignored, ill treated, beaten and disrespected, her girl child is considered unacceptable, her infertility is a curse, her body is assumed to have a free access, her job is an ego clash and her advise is not even asked for in any matter or decision to be taken.

This is not that I ever thought I would write in any of my blog posts as I am not suffering (presently) from any of these situations. But recently I came across an incident of my friend, which when discussed with other women, brought up their stories as well as of their relatives or women they know, and I was stunned to hear that even after all what progress the world or be it the life around me is making, it’s all fake. It is good to fill newspapers and articles and books with progress numbers and breaking records, but no moral value addition is happening the way it is required to happen to partner the economic success for sustainable growth, especially in most of the Indian families where this “most of it” comes from villages and rural background who are not accepting the change to their patriarchal method of thinking. But to my utter surprise, this narrow and sick mindset exists even in well educated people, who were “assumed” as more learned and cultured people in comparison to the people from rural background.

A human make errors. We make mistakes. We do blunders. But people have no right to ruin other person’s life in the name of a mistake of their life and where maximum times the other person is a woman of their life.. Be it a Wife, a Daughter or a Mother.

It’s still hard for me to believe that how much and in how many forms, small or big, women are sacrificing unconditionally. I can advocate for those men too who also sacrifice and make their relationship survive happily, but I am here because I don’t understand why the women sufferers are way higher in number than men. This is my observation from the society and thus I can write that the women are more in pain. Earlier it was easy to accept women are dominated by men because they are financially dependent on men and thus the dominance of men was justified by the society as well as those women. But now, despite of the independence and freedom of choice, career, finances, women are still suppressed by their male counterparts, where I believe women are in fault primarily, since they allow this to happen it to them.

So what am I here to do?, is what you must be wondering. I know those men won’t be reading my post at all.. Or must have not reached to this point as they must have avoided reading this as soon as they must have realised where this post is leading to. So I am left with you, my dear reader, who might have also seen such women in pain, or those women who smile inspite of pain in the fear of society and under pressure of what would people think if she shares her problem with anyone as now the world is moving and evolving… Quickly… Loudly.. And only they are in pain.. Silently.

I urge you to understand their silence and talk to them, make them feel worthy and happy and deserving of a beautiful life beyond their struggles. This silence of women around you can be sensed in ways they behave around us. Like they hesitate in making family decisions, they hesitate in making personal decisions, they talk less about family among a group or when many people around, they think thrice before going out for dinner or trips from office, they sit late in office to avoid problems at home, they are shy of speaking to their male colleagues in office, they are known to be friendly and cheerful but they suddenly lose contact or talk less or any type of other behavioral changes can be observed and sensed and a step to approach that woman or her family should be taken to hear her heart out and offer an advise or help as much possible. I urge people to come along and make these women strong, make them aware as well as realize that they can listen to their inner voice and break free, speak up, live for yourself, live with dignity and self respect, fight for it if required and assure them that we are here for them to listen and stand with them and fight with them for their right to life.

I finally could put my thoughts in the lines as below;

O woman,

Are you meant to please the world?

But Without uttering a word!

Can you be touched by any man?

But he won’t feel you, Oh it’s a ban..!

Can you be ruled by a man?

And he won’t care for you, even if you are in pain.

Do You ask for love? Why?

You are taught that you do not deserve and for that do not even cry.

But shed your tears and remember as I say..

Crying is a myth as a weapon for weaker,

Woman cry, cut their heart out and grow stronger..

Stand UP, you Woman, as soon as you are hurt and be ready to face..

No matter you are a baby girl, an adult, a lady or belong to any phase..

If he is cruel, do not give him lead..

Understand the early warning signs and pay them heed..

Do not ignore or get mislead..

Trust your instincts and do not bleed..

Stand UP ! as you are your best help,

Fight it, set yourself free and do not yelp..

You are made to live and succeed.

Think for yourself, take that one step for yourself, I plead.

Seeking Myself!

~ Rupali (In my Pursuit to Satisfaction...) ~ 8 Comments

I sometimes wonder what if I were a radio jockey who makes mornings of listeners more interesting,

or if i were a pilot who could reach the skies and feel the air,

or if I were a rose and could feel the joy of beauty and pain of thorns,

or I were a pen of a bookwriter and could see what he planned to write before what he published finally,

or if I were a girl from village who struggles between fetching water from wells and walking to a school 30 kms away to study and keep her aspirations alive,

or if I were a famous celebrity who celebrated her demand in the industry and managed to keep her private life as private,

or if I were a teacher who could contribute in progress of a soul spiritually and financially,

or a policewoman on duty and face the actual struggle of work life balance

or if I could ever justify to be ME..the original me and accomplish my quest for which God has sent me on Earth. I often miss being my own self and I am in search for what I am chosen for, what I am destined to accomplish for myself and the world!

Stand up Comedy !

~ Rupali (In my Pursuit to Satisfaction...) ~ 4 Comments

Stand up Comedy is an art..We get to face funny situations in life which makes us laugh but stand up comedy presents life to us in a way that a serious or not so important event comes up as hilarious and funny when we are able to relate to it. That’s what stand up comedians do.. They relate with us and make us laugh from the little things in life that we ignore or overlook in the daily hustle bustle!

I had a second chance to attend live show of Stand up comedian Zakir Khan, with my husband and friends in Vadodara last week. Zakir Khan, who hails from Indore, gave a Superhit show last time when launched online named Kaksha Gyaarvi (Class 11th), describing the school life and young crush which ultimately crashed😜 and we were glad we watched it live. Zakir tickles every nerve and bone in you and makes your body, flesh and blood all laugh together..leaving you with a painful jaw at the end of the show.

He was a treat to watch again, especially with our gang of freinds and it is believed laughter is always well celebrated with friends and loved ones. We took the punchlines from the show and enact and repeat it when we come across a similar situation after the show and end up laughing.

Laughing in/on life is important to live long.. Happily. Everything is for a moment.. It’s how you take it. And fun can be the difficult but the best way to live life. It spreads happiness and smile.. Without any cost.. Improves blood circulation too! Yes, it has it’s own way which shall be taken care of so that fun doesn’t turn out to be offensive to anyone.

Quoting the king of comedy-Mr. CHARLIE CHAPLIN here will be appropriate – “We must laugh in the face of our helpnessness against the forces of nature – or go insane.”

Live. Laugh. Love.

Love Poem

~ Rupali (In my Pursuit to Satisfaction...) ~ Leave a comment

Love is when..

.. He drops you near the lift rather than the security post, to bid you a good bye with a kiss.

.. She secretly wants to look where you are and what are you doing when with family/freinds.

.. He wants to hug you even after a fight.

.. She wants to say I Love You after every sentence she says to you.

.. He worries and cares for you along with your family.

.. She watches you driving a car and smiles proudly reminiscing all good of you.

.. He declares his love by caring for you in every way possible and in everyone’s presence!

.. She silently kisses your forehead when he sleeps.

.. He needs you after he gets up every morning.

.. She needs you when she wants to sleep every night.

.. When you are sick and he calls/messages you in his tight schedule of office to know if you are doing well.

.. She prepares/packs food thinking of your favourites.

.. He lets you sleep sound and mutes the TV and mobile.

.. She knows what you will pick for yourself from a store.

.. His eyes say he loves you…

.. Her voice say she loves you…

Humanity spreads happiness!

~ Rupali (In my Pursuit to Satisfaction...) ~ 4 Comments

Happy to share a recent incident witnessed.

Me and my husband were returning from our friend’s place after it was confirmed that India was going to lose against England in WC 2019 (India’s first loss in the 5 matches it played).

It rained heavily after 7 pm.. Just after we finished our bhajiya party, awaiting rain! The heavy rain in Vadodara flooded the small streets and drainage systems failed as soon as they can and streets were clogged with water.. Water water everywhere.. From sky to land.

This rain is a cheerful event for farmers, happy change of atmosphere for people with homes and roof. This I say so because the same rain is messy and irritating for the poor and unsheltered people. This includes the bikers or people on two wheelers (temporarily unsheltered) .

One such biker-with his wife and his baby of 3 years approx had an experience of bad luck when his bike stopped to cooperate in struggling against the unstoppable rain and wind. He was pushing the bike through the right side of the road, followed by his wife and baby which led to slow movement of cars on the road . Unaware of the same, we honked on the car ahead of ours, which moved slowly, understood the biker’s situation and offered his wife and baby to sit on the backseat of the car.

The biker seemed relieved in an instant and his wife smiled from ear to ear as the car saved her baby in the rain. This just brought an instant smile to our faces too and restored our faith in humanity.

Such incidents help getting better sleep at night and ofcourse radiates powerful positive energy around you.

Moral of the story – Keep helping, keep motivating, you never know who gets inspired by observing your actions. Watch your actions and make a difference.

Understanding is an Understatement

~ Rupali (In my Pursuit to Satisfaction...) ~ Leave a comment

Understanding is an Understatement when

You understand your mother worrying about you the whole day but do not sit with her in dinner and talk to her or listen her heart out.

You understand your father displaying confidence inspite of his ageing worries or sickness fear and you do not offer your salary or financial help or emotional support to atleast make him smile and feel proud of his teachings.

You understand your colleague fighting depression but you do not lend them your sincere ears under the rising work pressure.

You understand a dog shivering in rain but do not help it with shelter.

You understand your partner needs your love and appreciation and you waste time and their love finding their faults.

You understand you should keep your health as priority and you ignore it against junk food and laziness.

You understand that your vote makes a difference but are ignorant and plan holiday on a voting day.

You understand that first step is all we need to take to lighten up the path but you are afraid thinking of all the road ahead rather than that first step.

You understand cleanliness is godliness but can’t help throwing that plastic wrapper/bag out of the car.

-I understand preaching is easier than practise but I end up on giving advices only.

P. S. I am also under the process of actually understanding the things.!

Empathy- Word and meaning diminishing to obsolescence.

~ Rupali (In my Pursuit to Satisfaction...) ~ 2 Comments

Empathy is a strong emotion where a person connects with the other on the same situation, with same emotions, same pain, same experience. It is though commonly used when all this is even similar with another person. It has to be same and the word’s significance is the emotion behind the word.

We come across daily news of deaths, theft, murders, accidents, mishaps, rapes, kidnaps and possibly all forms of damage including fire, earthquakes, storms, cyclones,floods etc. and we feel bad or sorry, discuss on debates, news channels, news papers headlines and controversies, candle marches, government support, NGO support etc where people often claim that they are helping the sufferes out of sympathy or as they empathize with them. However I believe no one can empathize the other person in sorrow or their loss as no one knows his or her emotions behind the situation.

In today’s time, where we have no time understanding our partner’s feelings or that of our parent’s who need our time to discuss their age and changes they experience on getting older, we falsely claim that we empathize some other person who suffers from a damage which may be a common news for all but a once in a lifetime event (precisely a mishap) for that person.

Empathy should be declared an obsolete word as it has no prevalent meaning in today’s age. We hardly sympathise with people, left alone Empathize.

Simple enough!

~ Rupali (In my Pursuit to Satisfaction...) ~ 1 Comment

It was our father’s freind and his family who were invited to our house for dinner. My father’s freind’s daughter – with one of her girl child – was leaving for London in next couple of days and as our tradition teaches us to atleast call the people home for dinner (especially those who are leaving abroad and won’t be in touch that regular-irrespective of the prominence of social sites which informs you about the life of the other just a touch away.) So ya,but since this is a tradition to be followed to motivate togetherness as well, we had planned a dinner at home.

The family comes and we discuss about things, blah blah, how difficult life is there outside and their willingness to not to leave India as well but since life is tough and one has to do what they don’t want to do inspite of the fact that once they had to do what they are doing now in hope of a good life. I guess somewhere in the deep, every individual leaving India knows what they are losing i.e. Family. Which is the essence of Unity in India-among people. The trait of togetherness that we learn since childhood and the bomd we have within family cannot be described.

The dinner went well and I was playing with the little girl, and she wanted to go upstairs at our room, but was afraid of no light. However the fact was that we had sensor lights on stairs and whenever one reaches on a stair the light gets lit by itself and you can walk up. But she was hesitant to even take that one step. After forcing her, she went forward and was happy when the lights turned on and she could go up. This was a small incident which reminded me of her as me and those lights as God.. He forces us to take one step from our own so that je can light up the whole future for us which we await..

It’s simple but silly of us for not being able to understand whenever we are required to take that one step/decision /choice.

(Don’t) Cry and Cry Until you Succeed

~ Rupali (In my Pursuit to Satisfaction...) ~ 1 Comment

It’s April end time, today deserving ones received promotion letters and ratings, and sadly I don’t have a promotion letter yet after 4.5 years of almost selfless service! Almost selfless because my organization has not been considering me deserving for a promotion till date and every year I have been contributing a little more of me towards its growth and mine too… But i have been receiving nothing and the organization is growing. Thus selfless.! So is that that I don’t deserve!?

Alas, the point is that I have disappointments to face. Disappointed by myself that inspite of 4.5 years of service, i am still unable to predict or understand the ongoing political drama at the workplace. Gujarati idiom says – bole ena bor vechaye (the one who can speak can sell his/her fruits) – which i didn’t took seriously. However people who take seriously seemed to me as naggers, who keep nagging and creating fuss about petty things. However these are those who “achieve”. Achievers aren’t the ones who go in detailing, precision or hard work, as you think you do! They are those who nag, speak (in a way that people “listen”, even if it includes shouting or it includes whispering in boss’s ears) and “show” more than their service. It’s an art and everyone shall learn this along with the 7 secrets of success or the 5AM club or blah blah like books which though inspire a lot but don’t work in practical life where you have to work with people like these and face politics like this..

I cried on my result, a lot. My husband is calming me down and inspiring me to fight (we are talking over phone as I have to still sit in the office /organization which is not even considering me an eligible candidate for the position I deserve). He has been supportive throughout but what I end up thinking about is – Log kya kahenge.!

People may think – itna kaam kaam krti hai.. Dikhati hai… Par office se milta to nhn kuch.. Problem is ki yaha logo ne to dekha mera kaam aur dedication but organisation ne sideline kar diya. Sorry to divert in Hindi. But a sad person expresses better in his/her mother tongue.

Well i realised that the reason I am still hurt is that I have not heard the early warning signs from my organization that if in a year it is not supporting you (my initial years), it won’t be supporting further for a person like me who is zero in politics, tactics of pleasing a boss, show more than service. I should have taken a step earlier which I am planning now. So, i am here to warn everyone, (don’t) cry and cry until you succeed. Take a step forward in the name of you. Don’t wait. Empower yourself. It’s hard in the start, messy in the middle but gorgeous at the end. Take responsibility for the future and make sure you don’t cry again. I will make sure I don’t cry again! Just because people can’t see what you/I possess.

They will suffer. You/I may prosper.