I wish these lessons were learned at home…

• that used towels need to be hung on towel racks so they don’t reek of invisible creepy crawlies, because
• that a pair of pants on the floor resembling a standing pair of legs, need to find their way into the laundry basket, because
• that a turned on light switch during broad daylight needs to face the opposite direction, because
• that dirty dishes that adorn tables need to manoeuvre their way into the sink, because
• that groceries blocking traffic patterns inside the house need to find their seats on respective shelves immediately after coming home, because
• that rolled up comforters that look like a body has been stuffed inside, need to be flattened out, not just for aesthetic reasons, but also to prove the former idea wrong, because
• that empty toilet roll holders need to be replenished by users themselves and also as courtesy to visitors that follow, because
• that hungry children of the house will find their stomachs full even if the food is not fed by the mother of the house, because

the mother of the house is not an unpaid maid! 😛

A friend in nature

The night before the Super moon was one of the first nights this year that we had our windows open since Fall of last year. My goodness. What a feeling. Having moved to North America years ago, even keeping windows opening can be a wonderful pleasure ! The sound of the crickets and toads in the back yard, the humming of the breeze, the slapping of the blinds and even the odd car passing by seemed to be a natural part of the ode that Mother nature was composing ! The joy that filled the room in the form of the moonlight wouldn’t let my rather tired eyes shut. So there I lay in my bed, just listening to every note in the melody !

A bizarre thought struck me. The moon is feminine… For sure…. When I read poetry in the past or listened to songs with the moon as the theme, I never really took time to wonder why they referred to her as a “she”. But that night, it all became clear. Just like “mother earth” the moon surely has a beautiful feminine side to it. Why ? Because she is there, yet not there. Those nights when you need her the most, she shines so brightly as if to comfort you with her mere presence. And then as she sees that you are capable of taking care of yourself, she fades away into oblivion only to resurface when you need her again. She is like a mother who walks away from her sleeping child – slowly and patiently one step at a time…She seems to be that perfect companion to have.  Even when she decides to come back in time of need, she paces her steps towards you. She listens, while the world sleeps. She can have such a profound effect of joy !!!

When I was younger, I lived in a house that had a beautiful neem tree in the front. She was one healthy gorgeous tree that was capable of impregnating any one that connected with her immense joy. I remember my long lonely conversations with her. When I left that house, I was overwhelmed by the feeling of sorrow of leaving this friend behind. Sure enough, it was mutual I guess and she passed away. I missed my neem tree until that night when I found the same companion in the moon.

I was choked with emotions at how deep friendships embedded in nature can be. This time, I seem to have discovered a friend for life !

CUTTING THE UMBILICAL CORD

I vividly remember the pre-natal classes that we went for before we had our first born. The lady had told us to inform the Doctor in the Delivery room if my husband wanted to cut the umbilical cord. My husband’s reaction was a classic “Who wouldn’t want to?”. But I guess there are a bunch of men, who choose not to. The point is not so much about the act of cutting the umbilical cord itself. The magnitude of a statement like “cutting the umbilical cord” is felt by the mother in so much of a deeper sense. First of all, its an oxymoron ! Of course, it is the first moment of detachment (or really attachment?) from her child…. Wow, the first signs of independence ! But from that moment on, the process of the cutting the cord is an on-going process for a mother. The weaning off, the rolling over, the first words, the crawling, the walking, the first day at school…. each of these moments are such intense moments for a mother. Each being a step away from her physically, but a step closer to her emotionally. As a mother two, watching them grow and take those steps away from me are surely bitter sweet moments. I often have to grit my teeth to say “They are capable of doing it themselves. So let them”. I remember vividly when my husband cut the umbilical cord for both of them at birth, it was pretty painless, but these moments after ?!? I truly believe the cord becomes stronger and more painful with age. A mother never really lets go off that umbilical bond until her grave ! Oh, the joy of motherhood !

UN-GURU-ING THE GURU !

Am becoming a master at creating new terminologies for the dictionary ! Hip hip hurray !!!

As any mother is, I am super proud of my two children. However, what I am proud of is not their accomplishments, instead how they are so uncannily normal, average… A perfect average –  a term that I recently learned from a cute movie. As parents, we all strive to give our children the best. The definition of best is truly subjective because each one of us has a different perspective on this and often our own baggage has a  lot to do with the way we raise children. What I have realized is that in the name of “teaching” them right things or guiding them in the right manner, what we end up doing is completely the opposite. When we take a closer look at children, we realize how a Guru is actually inside of every child – someone who completely loves unconditionally, trusts every one, lives in the moment and has no expectations in return.  However, as adults we need to learn the art of doing these very acts, through yoga, meditation, seeking within and blah blah…  What a shame that we as adults see the need to “teach” children… what do we end up teaching them anyways ? How to be careful of strangers – translating to don’t trust anyone.  How to live in the past – translating to remember all your past mistakes. How to live in the future – translating to don’t live in the moment. And then when they are at a certain age, we want them to go back and do exactly what they unlearned – love, trust, harmony… Yikes….

The more I look at my children, the more I realize how much I learn from them.  A simple lesson for me today from my 6 year old was how to plan and execute. On his own accord, last night he said he wanted to clean out his closet. This morning he woke up, brushed, showered and did exactly what he had planned last night. His closet now looks better than any other in the whole house. He left me wondering……. What the hell am “I” trying to “teach” him ???? My guru are my children.