Skip to main content

Off in a trice!

Alas I’ve reached this point of publishing a post full of advice. Having been at the receiving of advice galore, well-meant and other kinds as well, I kind of vowed to myself never to be a bore. I have in times present and past, been the receiver of confidences, and still consider myself a good friend. I offer advice when solicited, particularly if I feel I have some authority on the subject, or some experience in the said domain of affliction.
Having become a mommy, as in the case of many other Indian women, I feel that I have transcended a great, life-altering experience. Advice and life-plans have been flung at me, regardless of my disinterest and discomfiture. I didn’t love every moment of my being a mommy. I’ve had plunging lows, and I cannot say I am above them, by any means. Then, wonder of wonders, wherefrom have I started to spout advice?

I tell my just-married friends not to have kids too soon. There is bitterness in that. And then I tell them what they are going to do when they do have kids. What to do and what not to. God, it was a short walk from hating unsolicited advice to giving it myself!

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Reaping a rich harvest of rewards from the crop of modern writers - my takeaways from Times LitFest Bangalore 2019

I was at the #TimesLitFestBlr, and my thoughts got thoroughly piqued. It all started with my crashing in Devadutt Pattanaik’s badinage with Shobhaa De. Here was someone who has made mythology and legend come alive for this generation. Kind of on the lines of what C. Rajagopalachari did for my generation, if for no other parallel. I entered into the spirit of things by asking a question of Anand Neelakantan if he ever bothers to be politically correct. And he said no. It’s impossible to be PC. For someone who created a whole fleshed-out story on the mythical character of Tara, the wife of Vali and Sugreeva according to the Ramayana, twisting words around to not really put too fine a point on anything wouldn’t have been too tough. But he chose to give it up and say what he really wanted to. It isn’t surprising that he got young Indians to start reading up on the nitty-gritty of Indian mythology through his forthright narrative style. Despite the sweltering way that Bengaluru gets ...
Post a Comment
Read more
Tips to hunt for the right job overseas Moving abroad to work is exciting. It is your chance to experience exciting city life in a new country, sample their work culture and social customs, all the while earning money in the local currency. For most immigrants, the exchange rate is a promising one as it offers an economic advantage over the home currency. Travel, cuisine, novelty in every daily activity, and access to a high-quality life – what’s not to like? The path to applying for a job overseas is not a straight one. There are procedures to be followed and precautions to be taken. Here are some sure-fire tips that every applicant has to follow so that he or she can navigate the uncertain terrain of applying for jobs in another country. 1) Be as hands-on as possible: Sure, hire a consultant in your home country or an overseas one. But be in the loop and find out as much as possible about the process to be followed and each step in detail. 2) Start early: Begin early – if poss...
Post a Comment
Read more

Reacting to wellness stimulus

Meditating has been a roadblock in my path to well-being. Or at least that’s what I think but I met some useful advice today: meditation is not about keeping the mind from wandering, but letting it finish its wanderings and come back to the present, awareness of the physical state – breath most importantly, so much so, that it burns itself out of aimless buzz, for a time at least. This is why they say meditate for at least 20 minutes, at least once a day. Doing this lets the mind run out of steam for the time as far as distractions are concerned. Once the clump of noisy thoughts is dealt with, what remains is, surprise surprise, a clear mind to deploy at the tasks of the day. And goodness knows we have distractions. These distractions are closely linked to our insecurities. Is it Facebook notifications that I can’t keep from checking out – why am I so concerned with what people might be saying of me? Long term goal: learn to offer a wide berth to others’ opinions of me. Is ...
Post a Comment
Read more