Last month has offered me, opportunities to interact with different people from varied walks of life and stages of life. Notice the word I've used...'Interact' . Its because, only when u've interacted with people, that ur exposed to an experience that has enriched ur life in a new way.
Sometimes, one's mindset, also hampers that experience, as one decides 'to shut out ' people, but when you do put down your guard, often one finds it much easier to 'go with the flow'. And it really is best that way.
Met up with some gal pals for a girly dinner on Mother's Day. It was really an amazing opportunity to interact, observe and unwind. What I observed is almost everyone has their protective shield around them while meeting someone relatively new! But its upto you to make the other person feel comfortable, and then they are really yours for the asking!! Unwinding via karaoke helped me re-bond with a friend I was meeting with after years!
In my Sangli visit, this time I decided to step out of my comfort zone, and move about as a normal person (and not as my father's daughter or royalty) and actually converse and get to know people. By doing that I also let go off my own inhibitions!
Met and interacted with my caretaker in Sangli,who had been very ill, incidently he had also looked after my father since he was four...I saw how he was joyful on seeing my parents and me visit him. I looked around his village and i interacted and saw how people remain joyful because they have found meaning and peace in their life. Their needs and wants are limited, and more importantly their lives are 'meaningful' to 'them'.
In Sangli met and interacted with a daughter in law of a rather conservative and educated family. Though she dined with us, she barely spoke! On being asked, she said she was not shy but that she could not believe she was sitting on a dining table which had two men- one being my father and second being her Uncle.I was too stunned to react, so she explained further that her 'in- laws' did not 'allow it'. What is considered normal to us and even normal to her and her uncle is snatched away from her for the rest of her life. On seeing this, I told her that whenever she wanted to 'feel normal', she was welcome to visit us and stay with us for a good part of her 'maike visit.' Such in- laws must be explained the phenomenon of 'Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi".
Believe me this does not only happen in poor homes, or the middle class income group. This disease has spread to the upper class. I dont have a brother but if I did I'd make sure my parents were great inlaws to the frightened overwhelmed new addition to the family!
A wise man once told me...'Ive observed..you are not really interested in people at all'! Boy, How I've grown since then...more grounded and wiser!!
I have decided to find joy and meaning in everything I do from the time I've woken up...Every chore, every duty, every interaction, even in nothingness. And what about You?
