The Wholesome Self

 

How one defines wholesomeness in self. Based on my experiences in life, I attempt to scribble my thoughts. We often talk about being a dreamer and constantly working towards your dream. At young age I saw my dreams were like “sky is the limit”, but as years went by dreams also started to become more practical and at my current age it is more in line with the reality of my life. A transition from ‘fantasy to reality’. I believe this happens to most bourgeois middle-class Indians. Dreaming too much, setting high expectations for self and then seeing the gap widening with reality tend to make every soul in philosophical mode. In short, your aspirations are made to rest. As a Child you dream BIG, but at a later stage in life ‘the child in you’ dreams less or stop dreaming.

 

Achievers in personal and work life have always been dreamers, but then they stayed focused on what they aspire for, do not entertain distractions, they try to seek and get into the company of people who believe in making their dream a reality. More to that, I believe it's a continuum with 5 equal sections. The cumulative and compounded output of these five in an individual results in wholesomeness. The famous five include Capability, Honesty, Blessings, Luck and Love.

 

One needs to be capable and have expertise in craft (Capable), honesty and integrity as his identity (Honesty), blessings from parents, teachers, and mentors in life (Blessings), and be able to take the mileage by being at the right place at the right time with the right mindset (Luck), together with the overwhelming love from people at large (Love) leads a self to wholesomeness.

 

Human minds are insatiable. In his journey, a man with his hard work, concerted efforts, life experiences, blessings, luck and love reach a blissful mindset, inner happiness and a secure state of existence, is what wholesomeness means to me. One could be a common man yet achieve wholesomeness through your deeds and thoughts, without the need to get enlightened and be mystic.

Mother's day, penned down a note.......

 ‘Amma’ is an emotion that finds deeper meaning as years go by. Especially when you are at your low, the presence of Amma or even a talk over the phone is great medicine to the soul. I have felt many times and I have observed it many times as well that mothers irrespective of their education, act as tranquillisers, stay calm-composed and stand rock solid beside as a pillar. Their belief about their children is quite deeply rooted and none can change. It’s like wine ageing. I have felt mothers are mentally strong though they might look weak and subtle outside. It’s a fact that relations are entirely transactional in nature, mother is the one emotion where ‘unconditionality’ pitches in. It’s a blessing for all those who could enjoy more of that unconditional love. This reminds me of the historic scene from the iconic film Deewar, the heated argument b/w the brothers Amitabh & Shashi Kapoor, the scene ends with the heart-touching liner when Shashi Kapoor says ‘mere pass maa hai’. Take care of them, be with them, and ensure they are in their zone, that’s the best we can give. The fact is that we will never be able to repay our mothers. With that note, ‘Happy Mother's Day’ to all wonderful mothers.