ESSAY OF THE WEEK
:: Gratitude:an essential for being human ::
It takes years to create memories but few moments to relive them, stipulates Faiz Younas Butt
It’s a part of human nature to develop associations pertaining to their individual preferences and tastes. One just cannot simply chalk out a well-tailored catalogue of associations, but there are certain general trends of forming associations. Some people feel associated with the place they were born, some with their schools or colleges, some with their professions and a few with their friends. After some time when one comes out of the direct influence of one’s associations, one is only left with memories. Based on associations, memories provide opportunities to relive those times which made one smile or cry. When one can afford to be a prototype of one’s own self, not of someone else one can indulge these fond associations and keep them closer in life. Memories are those golden tablets which encapsulates the odds and evens of our past life. After several moons, last night I managed to sneak out some time to relive my past. I opened the cabinets of my room where every important thing of my life resides. How paradoxical is the fact that I invested long tiring decades of my life to develop associations and to collect memories which now lie neglected in a few cabinets. It seems my whole past life is worth of being ‘cabinetnised’ and nothing more or less than that. These mementos are the measure of units of memories to me.
Books, greeting cards, pictures, stupid graffities, all, are my ticket to the amusement park of my memory which fascinates me, strengthens me and makes me feel good. I cried in my heart when I remember the times when I had laughed my heart out and I smile remembering the moments when I had cried.
I dragged out the big album of my family and friends, my most treasured possession where I can see and feel different occasions of my life; when I was a few months old; when I joined school; my school trips and hanging out with friends, everything was there visually present, shot in pictures. Every picture has its own story, language and moment.
Further I started rearranging the countless greeting cards of my family and friends. Every card makes me believe in dreams like Paulo Coelho with several reassurances of “Friends forever” and “Missing you”. All is gone and it seems to be the story of some bygone, extinct species of humanity who once lived.
I than turned towards my book cabinet and started rediscovering the lost meanings and idealism in all those books that fascinated me once. Life doesn’t leave me an idealist anymore, but still I liked the times when I was an idealist. My books are part of my idealistic self which I have buried years ago, but still I feel happy to recall that phase of myself. Because at this late hour of night, no one is around me, no one is demanding something practical or professionally from me, so I am alone with my lost, forgotten self, whom I can visit only through my memories as I am still an obsessive hoarder of memories.
:: Guru's Advice ::
Hello Guru
I am terribly annoyed these days. I am simply fed up of crank calls and the unwanted SMSs. Last week I personally contacted a guy who had been sending me unwanted SMSs but instead of feeling guilty or bad, he started asking me to be his girlfriend and when refused to do so, he started abusing me. I was severely shocked over his behavior. I cannot understand how someone can just go to such extremes. I really felt very low and bad about all that happened. The guy is still sending SMSs to my cell phone number. Please guide me what should I do?
Annoyed
Dear Annoyed
In what times are you living in? This is 21st century and the women of 21st century are confident and intelligent. There isn’t any need to panic or feel annoyed. It’s such a trivial and unimportant issue. That guy must be typical teenager who just wants to have a good time and nothing else. Instead of directly approaching him, you should have contacted your cellular networking service to report him. They are open around the clock and facilitate their customers. However, do follow up your complaint because usually people don’t pursue such complaints and thus such people get away with it. So, report it immediately and teach him a lesson. There are certain cell phones in the market who have an automatic call blocking system, you can get one of those if you want, but please don’t panic. Life may have big challenges in store for you therefore don’t waste your energy on such a trivial issue. Wishing you a confident, tension free life!!!
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Hello Guru
I am a qualified doctor but just got married after my house job. My husband is quite a liberal man but still does not allowed me to work because he was interested in having an extended family. I am now a mother of two sons who have crossed their fifth birthday. I want to go back to hospital and serve the people, but my husband is not ready to reconcile with the idea. He feels that it will leave negative impacts on our children. But I don’t agree with him and still cannot discuss it with him. He’s always in a ‘not interested mood’ whenever I try to discuss this issue with him. Please advice me what should I do?
Pissed off Doctor
Dear Doctor
I appreciate your lure for rejoining your career, but first of all accept the fact that your husband is not ‘quite liberal’; he is conservative. He doesn’t want you to go back to your profession and the idea of family extension was just a tactic to divert your attention. If you seriously want to start working again then make yourself courageous enough to face your husband. Instead of beating about the bush, directly tell him what you want and feel about the whole issue. Working women can be responsible enough to manage their domestic and professional responsibilities together. You have already nurtured your children enough, now the whole thing depends how you manage your both responsibilities. If you cannot join any hospital then try to open a clinic in your home. It will serve both you and your husband. Wishing you a happy marital and professional life!!!
Concise queries may be sent to: guruadvice1@gmail.com
Names are withheld to protect privacy.
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