My strength does not give you license....

This is especially for all those strong men and women that I know of ..... 

 This is to say that while I may or may not understand your journeys, I surely understand the effort it takes for you to keep showing that mental strength, keep being the lighthouse in stormy seas ...... despite the tumultuous storms that rage within. 

 I salute you. 
I believe I belong to this group. I am often referred to a "strong woman". I know I am one. And because I am "strong", I know what it takes to be "strong". Unfortunately, not many realize this.

 Life has knocked me down a couple of times, has hit so hard I barely could breathe.... but because of the One Hand that never lets go.... I have managed to hold on, to dust off the muck and stand again, even if the ground I stand on today, is not so firm. But I still stand tall. 

 Not many know the battles that I have had to fight - I do not wish them to know. Not many know the emotional outbursts that have overwhelmed me so much that I could barely stand on my feet - I do not wish them to know. 

 But...

 I do expect those close to me to understand that this journey is not easy - far, far from it. I do expect those to whom I matter to acknowledge my lows as much as they appreciate my highs.

 Now, is that too much to expect?

 Just because I chose not to wear my heart on my sleeve, don't expect my sunny side up all the time. 
Just because I work hard to take things in my stride and continue on my journey, you cannot give me more shit or expect me to take on more than I already have. 

 Please appreciate that I am also human. Let me breathe too.

 I don't know if my "strong" friends will agree, but sometimes demonstration of strength seems to give a lot of people (and I won't call them friends) the impression that you will calmly deal with all unpleasant stuff thrown your way and not let it affect you at all. In fact, they may even want to give you some more - since you are good at dealing with shit!!!! 

 Because you are strong ...and brave.....

 I firmly believe that most of us carry some luggage or the other on our journey - some tell the world, some don't; no two journeys are ever the same. We must learn to respect that difference - even if we don't see it. 

So....

 For those of you who have "pillars of strength" in your lives - please be mindful of what lies behind that broad shoulder and strong arms that never fail to reach out and comfort. 

For those who have told their worlds: "No matter what, I'll be there for you." ...irrespective of what storms or battles I need to deal with personally - please be kind to yourselves. Allow your emotions to surface at times and let them internalize and flow out of you, like those tears you hide successfully. 

 You are beautiful people - just don't let the world take you for granted, not even your own world.....



Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Those lazy, hazy days of summer

Image
Today marks the end of my summer of 2024. Not because it's any special day in the calendar but simply because I have marked it so. ( These days, I mostly do as I please! )  Today I do nothing but simply look back.... I am not a fan of summers normally - especially given that I have been based in a sandpit for the last 20 odd years. Like most of us expats who live here in the Middle East, I have always found summers a good time to escape - either travel  back to India or to visit other countries that have, or used to have, cooler temperatures.  This year, I stayed put, mostly :) And it was different.  Yes, it was very hot and one had to stay indoors almost all the time but there was a sense of quiet and peace in and around Dubai that I quite enjoyed. Over the last 2 months, almost every expat had left the country, there were less cars, less traffic, less noise, empty malls and restaurants and generally a sense of slowing down every where. Even less socializing! So one...
Read more

About drawing lines

Image
As the years pass by, I realize, more and more, the importance of drawing lines. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The world is divisive enough on its own - some may say do we really need more boundaries between us?  The answer to this question could be debated. Yet, I have always been a fan of personal spaces - a concept alien to most Asians, definitely Indians! For me, it's linked to giving another human being the respect he/she deserves and ensuring that I have the same - the space to breathe free, to think without any pressures, to decide on my own. I tend to feel claustrophobic and uncomfortable, otherwise.  However, growing up - especially in my twenties and thirties, I did prioritize on "belonging" - to many groups and communities, for both personal and professional reasons. My circles grew so large that by the time I was in my mid forties, I again felt the need to set some controls once again - ...
Read more

I hope you are doing fine, Ma!

Image
Ma, It's been a while since I have heard from you .... You have gone too far, I guess. Life has taken over, generally, pulling me along with its usual ups and downs. Truth be said, I am not really sad - you lived a full life and I have let go... But I still think of you a lot, almost every day. I think of you and your opinions on all that is going on in my life - and I know a lot of those opinions may have even been disapproving....yet, I miss them - sorely. I wonder how you are doing....  How is this place you have gone too?  Is it as peaceful as they say it should be.... have you found "eternal peace'? Have you met those who had left before you? Has there been some kind of a happy reunion of sorts up there? Knowing you, are you settling scores? Are you ruffling feathers there as you often did here? Do you miss me? Do you miss my daughter? Can you see us? Do you sometimes feel like coming back just to say one more thing, hug us one more time? Or even repr...
Read more