When your own mother breaks your heart!!

 I'm reeling from something I read today – a news story about a mother who abandoned her 16-month-old baby for ten days to go on vacation, returning to find the child had cried to death. The sheer lack of remorse from this woman, who was sentenced to life imprisonment, is utterly soul-destroying.

As a mother, this incident has shattered some fundamental beliefs I held. It's a brutal reminder that the capacity for immense cruelty can exist even within a mother. We're so accustomed to elevating mothers to near-divine status in our cultures, celebrating their role as life-givers. And yes, mothers endure incredible pain, they nurture, they care. But this story, and others like it, force me to confront the uncomfortable truth: a mother's love isn't always unconditional. It can wane, or even disappear, especially if a child challenges her will, or if she simply doesn't truly value them. Not every mother embodies goodness.

This profound realization has led me to a crucial wish for my own child. I don't want your love for me to be a default setting, simply because I'm your mother.

My dear child, when you are older and capable of critical thought, if you ever perceive that I've fallen short, I urge you to tell me. Come to me privately and explain where you believe I went wrong. Don't love me blindly. While I promise to always strive to be the best mother I can be, my judgment is not infallible. I'm not the smartest or the wisest, and I will make mistakes.

My only plea is that these important conversations happen in private. As I grow older, I will become more fragile and less able to cope with public humiliation. Our cultures often promote the idea of unconditional parental love, but in reality, it often comes with an unspoken boundary – the limits of a parent's tolerance for a child's independent thoughts and actions. You're too young to grasp the nuances of this now, but it's something we will both learn and grow into. I'll continue to reflect on this and articulate it better as I find the right words.

A mortal's plea to the devine!!

 Sometimes, the world just feels... heavy. The news, the hurt, the way we treat each other. And in those moments, a silent scream rises from deep within. A question, directed to the heavens, that feels too big to even whisper:

Oh, God, If you protect us all,

If you nurture every soul,

Then why the hate, this human mess?

 Why don't you stop this bitterness?

It's a bold question, I know. We're taught of your immense power, your endless grace. But then I look around and wonder:

 Are you so mighty, do you need

To come as Avatar, plant a seed

Of goodness here, on earthly ground?

Can't hearts be changed, without a sound,

From deep inside, where true change lies?

We wait. We suffer. We hope for a better time, a peaceful place. But why does it feel like an infinite journey, a cycle of pain we must endure?

Why must we wait, so very long,

Or die and rise, where we belong,

In peace at last, a sacred space?

If love is truly your embrace,

Why can't we simply reach there now?

And the pain... oh, the pain. Not just the physical, but the soul-deep ache of disappointment, of betrayal, of unforgiveness.

Why must we suffer, bear such weight?

Why does resentment seal our fate?

Why can't a father just forgive,

His child's misstep, and let them live

Without the harshness of a blow?

In those moments, when my spirit aches, and tears threaten to fall, my voice often catches. My mind wants to surrender to the despair, but something deep within refuses to break. It's a silent battle.

Sometimes, it hurts, everywhere I turn,

I want to scream, but lessons learned

Keep voice held back, a silent plea.

My mind gives up, but still I see

No way to stop this pain, it flows.

And so, I ask you, God, wherever you are, listening to the murmurs of our troubled hearts:

Tell me where it ends, how soon, how fast?

When will this shadow finally pass?

When can I truly find release?

When can I finally know your peace?

 "Perhaps the answers aren't simple, but asking the questions is the first step." or "Even in the asking, there's a kind of hope."

Unloved!!

I didn't hate the one I held so dear,

But your love for me just wasn't clear.

You let me go, without a sigh,

No feeling touched you, watching me fly.

It hurts me still, this very day,

I miss what was, come what may.

But I know well, it means to you

Nothing at all, my heart so blue.

So what then, is the greater ache?

To feel such pain, as love forsakes.

To know my love, though strong and true,

Was never quite enough for you.

I forgot what loving truly meant,

Only to learn, when all was rent,

That love is caring, deep and wide,

Even if in your heart, I cannot reside.

And worse, to live, forever bound,

By knowing I'll never again be found

As "enough," in any heart or mind,

A broken piece, left far behind.

Echoes of a Cheerleader

Oh, to be that cheerleader,

The one I yearned to be.

To lift my voice in joyful cheer,

For victories, wild and free.

I miss the taste of sweet success,

Baked by my own two hands.

The special meal, a loving press,

For triumphs across the lands.

But fortune's gaze, it turned away,

No luck for me, it seemed.

My patience tried, my courage frayed,

A path I'd never dreamed.

No grand parades, no quiet joys,

No wins, nor small nor great.

My wishes now, like fading toys,

Succumb to cruelest fate.

Yet sometimes, from the shadows deep,

A memory takes hold.

One person gone, a promise to keep,

My world shattered, stories untold.

And still, I breathe, still here am I.

Alive, beneath a fractured sky.

The Art of waiting!!

 Having tasted life's design,

A wisdom deep, I then did find:

That patience holds a truth divine,

The very core of humankind.

Should cruel words sting, or judgment fall,

'Tis patience that withstands it all.

When cherished bonds begin to pall,

'Tis patience answers freedom's call.

When anger burns, a sudden fire,

'Tis patience calms the wild desire.

When hopes are met with no acquire,

'Tis patience lifts us ever higher.

So let its gentle current keep,

Your spirit flowing, soft and deep.

The Curious Case of the India Post Parcel: A Near Scam Experience

 

Yesterday morning, a message popped up on my phone: "A parcel has been booked for you in India Post." My immediate reaction was a mix of surprise and suspicion. Who would be sending me something via India Post? Then, this morning, another message arrived, stating the parcel was near my location.

My alarm bells were ringing. A few years ago, I'd almost fallen victim to a similar scam involving an unexpected parcel and demands for excise duty. I braced myself, fully expecting a call from a scammer, ready to demand payment for some fabricated customs charge. But a nagging question lingered: how could a scammer generate a legitimate India Post tracking number, one that was actually traceable on their official website? This thought truly bothered me, especially considering how easily such tactics could trick elderly individuals.

As evening approached, my phone rang. A man's voice on the other end announced, "I'm from the post office, and I'm at your door. Please collect your parcel; it's from Amazon." Amazon? My confusion deepened. Since when did Amazon use India Post for deliveries? My recent Amazon order was still showing an expected delivery date of Thursday.

To my immense relief, it wasn't a scam after all! It turns out India Post has partnered with Amazon for deliveries, and surprisingly, they're providing speedy service. It's fantastic to see the government-run India Post, known for its affordable services, adapting to the times.

This whole experience got me thinking about how much India Post has evolved. With the internet boom and the advent of services like IMPS, I doubt many people are still sending money orders. And telegrams? A relic of the past! I remember drafting telegrams in English class back in school; now, I imagine that's been replaced by email drafting lessons.

It's truly a testament to India Post's resilience and adaptability that they're finding new ways to stay relevant in our rapidly changing digital world.

Have you had any surprising experiences with traditional postal services recently? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

The Uncomfortable Truth About Modern Success!!

 I recently stumbled upon a video clip that left me perplexed and a little unsettled. It featured a woman, seemingly around my age, radiant in a red princess dress, accepting an award. What truly caught me off guard, and honestly, irked me a bit, was her insistent prompting to the announcer. "Make sure they know I won that pageant a few years back!" she’d loudly interject. Then, "Don't forget to mention I'm a celebrity jury!" And, almost immediately after, "Announce that I'm the CEO of XYZ company!" My mind reeled. "Wow," I thought, "how the fundamentals of self-promotion have drastically changed." It felt like a direct contradiction to everything I was ever taught – a time when we were repeatedly told, "Don't brag about yourself." It just goes to show, time truly changes everything, even the very essence of how we present ourselves.

This incident dragged me back to a vivid memory. I once had a manager who asked me about my contribution to a project. I remember being hesitant, almost cringing at the thought of "bragging" about my work. His response, delivered with a mix of amusement and genuine appreciation, was, "Why are you being so humble? I know you did this, and I'm happy with your work. You don't have to be humble always." It was a stark contrast to observing a teammate of mine later that day, confidently claiming and even exaggerating their role in the very same piece of work. A part of me, even now, wishes I could do that. I’ve always felt I lag behind in that department – the ability to effectively highlight my achievements without feeling like I'm overstating them. But these days, people seem to possess an innate understanding of how to frame their contributions in a way that makes them appear proportionally larger, more significant. The words they choose, the way they articulate their actions, just makes everything seem bigger and better.

I genuinely wish I could learn that skill. Though, at times, it feels almost pointless to try and adapt now, a new and pressing anxiety creeps in when I think about the future. I have a child, and I know I need to equip them for a world that will likely be even more challenging and competitive. How do I teach a child something I've never truly mastered myself? Will AI be the answer? Will someone, anyone, just give me a clear roadmap, a practical guide on how to navigate and thrive in this new reality of self-promotion? The thought, honestly, frightens me.