Inspiring Women Series 1

 Women draw strength from each other during the time of crisis and stand tall emerging out of their ordeals.In a country and society  where women are in a patriarchal clutch, being a successful woman is to be celebrated and appreciated.They are the real role models to get inspiration and face the challenges thrown .The women who inspired me are many and would like to pay tribute to each one of them through my simple writing.Wish to name this series as "Inspiring Women In My Life".

Inspiring Women: 1

Dr.R.Balalakshmi,that is how my mother is known,a doctor ,a gynaecologist,this profession during her time is very rare.She is the fifth child of the family ,has an elder brother,two elder sisters and a younger sister.Her dad passed away while she was in her first year of college.She took care of her mother till her last breath.She supported her entire family to rise up and married very later in her life.Her family her siblings were everything to her and helped them out of her way.She is such a hard worker and could work day and night without rest.Losing her husband within 15 yrs of her marriage did not deter her spirits,she worked relentlessly to be stable in all walks of life.As her only daughter I was treated like a celebrity wherever I went out in my place.The main credit for me in the soceity is being her daughter,though it had its own price which I have to pay.But I'm proud of my mom ,even at the age of 76 she is independent and conducting her own needs.She never resents that she is lonely or she has no one,I admire her courage to stand tall in life though the life has been unkind to her.Love you lots mom!

Lessons learnt: 

Hard work and never die attitude

Ungendering Emotions

Post for menfolk 😊all voices should be heard 😊

Ungendering emotions

When the term gender is discussed always it is to uphold feminine gender and uplift them from the patriarchal clutches.

Men are victimised too by this conditioning and rarely anyone speaks about their concerns.

When boys grow up they are always taught to be strong, which is not humanely possible.As they grow the piled up fears deep within is buried and they try to pose a brave face in social front. They undergo lot of turbulence by masking their emotions.

In life as we have ebbs and flows where we rejoice and repent in tune with the happenings.During vulnerable moments we breakdown and shed tears which is rather natural and has a cathartic effect. But boys are constantly advised not to cry, thereby curtailed off their mental health.

How could it be humanly possible to remain strong always and not to shed tears ?

If men are treated as human beings the vulnerable emotions are also to be accepted as gender neutral and tears are for all living beings.

Let us not giggle at men who prefer to be househusbands helping their family. 

Normalise men sharing domestic chores, by doing so we could rise more healthy relationships.

Let them cry their heart out and ease away their distress.

Let them not hold their valour every time masquerading reality. 

Fear, loss, grief and stress are to be addressed and not concealed.

As we see women as domestic machines, we have assigned men as money minting machines.

Let us unlearn this assigned role and do what we want in life.

Knight in shining armour to save a damsel in distress is a fairy tale and not reality. Let us rewrite our tales and bring new normal to our society.

© Aparna

Choose wisely!

Body politics

“Mother is an epitome of love and sacrifice “

“When you become a mother you become a complete woman”

What do these statements convey?

So if a woman chooses  not to have a kid then she is not considered a woman!

Like Raymonds make a complete man, such a gullible statement.

Patriarchy rooted deep into the system and women sadly safeguard them not realising that they are the prey to it.

When a young woman gets married and if she could not conceive, she is treated as an untouchable in the family as well as the society.

She shrinks herself by not participating in social events and starts hating the sight of monthly cycle.

Obviously infertility treatment centres, temples, poojas and homams are her resort. In the name of treatment hormones are pumped into her system leading to array of side effects.

Emotional stress, bloating , mood swings , nausea and so many nameless disasters follow the treatment.

In the name of extending the lineage, she suffers mentally and physically.

Register the truth sadly we are not in dire need of a heir to succeed the throne.

Do not exploit your own body for social validation.

Do not validate phrases like “barren women” throw them in garbage.

Stay happy and search for the soul’s calling and live a purposeful life.

Create your own identity, motherhood is not the only one there are plenty on the platter of life.

Unless you feel you need a child do not undergo this traumatic treatments.

Your body, is your right!

Choose wisely!

Live your life Queen size!

Cooking is beyond gender!

 “ Cooking is an art “

“ Cooking is a therapy”

Yes I’m mulling over these statements, how many of them who cook on daily basis will agree to these lines.

Cooking occasionally for guests or trying out innovative dishes could be real fun.

Day in and day out if you slog in the kitchen, Is it an enjoyable chore?

The morning steaming cup of coffee followed by idli, vada, pongal or whatever then once again lunch with sambar, kootu, porial. Evening cup of tea or coffee once again with snacks and to end the day with rotis and subjis.

Typing this elaborate spread for a day is tiring… how about cooking them?Have you ever given a thought how tedious and time consuming is Indian cooking.

The woman who misses an alarm controls nature’s calls to pack food for the family.

And the woman will be criticised for missing the alarm and not seen as a human.The most unthankful job ever.

Rain or shine, good day or bad day,sick or healthy,stressed or happy nothing matters, cooking goes on and on,thanks to Swiggy and zomato that showers care when women in the household is sick.

We could say food is medicine so we are healthy compared to western people and all such stuff.

As we humans evolve in a digital age where women want to excel in their professional front , will these domestic drudgery be shared so that it becomes a labour of love.

In the name of love, sacrifice and motherhood entire life of women is spent in kitchen.Break the mould and normalise sharing the space with everyone at home.

Sharingthekitchen#cookingisbeyondgender#unheedcriticism#

Anecdote of A

Anecdote of A

Angel in the dream

Articulated ways of life

Aware of reality

Address the emotions

Allow them to flow  

Anxiety kept at bay

Accept challenges

Annihilate hate

Alleviate stress

Anchor hope

Agree to cope

Adapt to changes

Adorn a smile

Attitude as a crown

Aspire happiness 

Abundant are the blessings 

Adhere and flaunt !

Trajectory

 Trajectory 

Strange yet true 

Learning, unlearning, relearning happens throughout our journey.It is the way of life.

Promises and words may be precious, treasured and kept safe by some people.

But not everyone will follow the same path.

Many people speak empty words and give false promises.It is naïve to believe and brood later. Gain wisdom to grow out of broken promises and meaningless words.

People may appear to be your closest buddy to the outer world.Real situation exposes the true colours and the nature of the person.

In this little time we have in this impermanent world why to fret over the people who fall out of our life.

Though it said easily than done, but I always remember my favourite poet Robert Frost “good fences make good neighbors “.

Not only social distancing saves us but also emotional distance makes our survival easier.

Stay cautious and alert! Never relive or run through the words you believed to be true!

Words are just words for many…

Aparna Suresh in PoetryRaagaInMayaakatha

Covid

 Covid an overview:

Post lockdown we all have accommodated covid as a part of our life.Thought of sharing my views and experiences  about the pandemic.

First of all when one is diagnosed the main survival tip is not to get panicked but to focus on managing the pandemic.

We should make up our mind to be the strongest and not giving any room for

self-pity.

Do not go by others experience, as each one have different signs and symptoms further the severity also differs from one another.

Listen to your body and decide if you need hospitalization or not.In case if you are in going in for home quarantine, take up the responsibility of monitoring yourself religiously.

Measures:

Steam inhalation 3 to 4 times with plain water.

Gargle twice a day with rocksalt in hot water.

Keep sipping hot water.

Kabasura kudineer once a day.

Concoction of ginger,pepper,turmeric,lemon and honey once a day.

Vitamin C and Zinc to be taken for a month.

Pranayama whenever possible and blowing balloons for strengthening lungs.

Self-check:

Get a Pulse oxi meter : Saturation minimum to be 95,check every 2hours,for first 2 weeks.

If the level drops seek medical help immediately.

Record temperature every 4hours.Paracetamol to be taken if temperature persists.

Diet :

Have a healthy and protein rich diet with plenty of fluids.

Include white eggs and sundal.

Sweetlime juice with pepper and salt during brunch.

Try to eat or drink every 2hours.

In case of home quarantine if others are negative try to isolate yourself completely from your family.



Though virus loses it's potency in 14 days ,you have to take care post covid too,as symptoms settlesdown at different phase for different people.

Covid will teach you many lessons for life.

Emerge out with new wisdom!Cheers!

Detox#

  Toxicity #

Drugs,smoke,drink and junk foods are toxic to body and they could be altered in no time.

Toxicity of mind is harmful.

How do we detox our mind?

Keep a track of things those weigh you down like

Feeling low

Demeaning

Belittled 

Anxious and worried

Unworthy

Sometimes it may be persons around you constantly making you feel unworthy.

Keep a safe distance from negativity .

Distancing from people creating displeasure is vital for your life.

Avoid people who constantly argue and drain your energy.

Avoid complaining people and judgemental people.

Don't just take it lighter,it will cost your mental and physical health.

You will be robbed of your peace and happiness.

Surround yourself with appreciative ,loving and  encouraging people.

Don't procrastinate 

Act before you are poisoned,save yourself.

Grow with your tribe sowing positivity.

Hey people!
Slowdown a bit!
Listen with your ears wide open,with an understanding heart,
Look around and observe the nuances of life,take time to breath and connect with fellow humans around.
Certain botherations are set aside as trivial and buried into the deepest chambers of heart,observe the numbing pain and reach out for help.
It is not a shame to share the burdens,feel free to express the botherations,when you look around surely you will find people to hold you during the darkest hours.
There is always a solution for every problem,trying solving it .Don't be ashamed of the wretched state.If it's not worth accepting just keep your head held high and walk away.
Stop abusing yourself and start living this beautiful life which is gifted unto you.
Don't trade your innerpeace for worthless issues.
Nothing is worth more than your life, do not take it for granted and throw it in trash.
Kindly believe the world you live in.
Gift a beautiful world for the little ones.
Create hope not disillusionment!

Virtue of Gratitude

Uttering two simple words,
Thank you...
Taken for granted ,
In many walks of life...
Realising it's value,
Makes life blessed and joyful,
Help received stays indebted ,
Thank you in response,
An essential element to practice,
Gratitude being magnet,
Attracts blessings in bounties,
Looking around God's creation,
Let's stop brooding,
Let's feel thankful,
Inhaling love and exhaling gratitude,
Making blunders less,
And boons more...
Let's grow and celebrate life,
With gratitude as foundation,
Appreciating and nurturing
This greatest virtue
Thereby treasuring it!!!