O Womaniya, you are more than enough!

Although writing is a small gesture of expression, but today through this article on behalf of all the women out there, I express strength, gratitude and love by sharing a tiny experience with you all.

To embark upon, I am sure one can imagine and relate to our big fat Indian weddings and associate oneself with having a massive family size. I recently attended a close knit family event, where we all ladies of the family got a chance to attend the function without our partner and kids. Each one of us looked pretty and incredible like always, draped beautifully in sarees, hair neatly spun into a bun giving a classy and glamorous look. Of course there were dad’s, brothers, uncles and other men’s too, but I am sparing them for the reason you exactly know why? Because on this Women’s Day, I wish to put light on my recent experience through which I can relate why Women are Warriors. 

My family ladies gang consists of my sisters, sister-in-laws, mothers, aunt’s, nieces who usually tend to occupy minimum of two rows in any family function. We also consume and relish almost entire starter platter being served at one go. To explain in short, this is the size of my family’s feminine crowd. We have variety of power packed talent in house. To introduce them in short, one of them is a teacher, while other is a professional home baker. One conducts homeschooling with two kids and pets, while other runs a family business. One handles and beautifully manages the house, while other is a Chartered Accountant. One helps her husband in his business, while singing is passion for other. One works for a well-known firm, while other works for a social cause.  While having fun with this talented bunch of mine, I realized that nowadays women enjoy equal status in the world because they have successfully navigated through their struggles. And let me tell you those four hours with such enthusiastic, hardworking and loving beauties were spectacular for each one of us. We had “our time” minus any kind of interruptions. We enjoyed every bit of the event, constant chitchatting, hogging on mouthwatering food pleasing our taste buds, clicking pictures and of course little gossiping. How could we achieve all of these together? Usually during such functions, women are seen either feeding their kids, serving food for their betterhalfs, some taking frequent visits with their child to the washroom, few are occupied with work calls, all of this resulting in missing out the real fun. 

While we were all attending the function, I was pretty sure multiple thoughts about one’s child, home, work, routine household chores, maids etc. were wandering in each one of us heads. And the only reason I could conclude upon here is that a woman’s mind is never at rest, it is always running with multiple tabs open in her head like Google. A woman’s bond with her responsibilities is just like the relation between Mind and Heart: inseparable. In order to have a healthy heart you need to have a healthy mind, and just like we need air to stay alive, similarly we need a woman to lead a home. Further to correlate, the way our heart never leaves the mind, likewise a woman has a superlative bond with her duties and not ready to leave them, because she feels it’s her responsibility (Dharma) to serve others. While doing her yoga, she is unconsciously thinking of what menu is to be cooked for dinner. While taking bath, she makes a list of items to be bought from market, or while cooking food, she thinks of her child’s school tests, even while taking her meals, she calculates the time left to pick up / drop her child to classes, while cleaning the house, she thinks of umpteen number of unanswered calls to be made, and while working in office, she thinks of not giving enough time to her family and the list goes on. Her mind is never at peace. The thinking cycle is never ending. And if you feel the woman in the houses are living the most comfortable lives, then you failed to view the other side of them. Every woman in the society has to go under some challenges of juggling work, handling children and family as well they usually deprive themselves of many pleasures in their day to day lives.

While listening to various interesting stories of my female gang on one side and thoroughly relishing the lip smacking crisp starters and fresh juice on other, one question that crossed my mind immediately was, Is Woman born with a label on her head “On Duty”? Can a woman give up on her responsibilities sometimes? Can she let go of her duties or should she feel carefree for few moments? Don’t women need a break? Only because she a superwoman with some great powers given to her magically right from birth doesn’t mean one should not appreciate her.  Wouldn’t it be great if we all cherished the spirit of every woman who spends their entire life doing limitless work and sacrificing for their loved and dearest ones without having dreams and goals?

Well the fantastic event was about to end and the joy of meeting your closed ones is unexplainable. It’s a common ritual in our family to occupy a large space by arranging chairs in a circular format, and have a memorable time by sharing each other’s experiences, discuss current affairs and routine life. While we were doing so, slowly our topic of discussion was diverted towards woman, her challenges and the art of balancing it out. It is rightly said that it’s possible to be a woman, a mother and an achiever. We also discussed how today most of the woman play significant role in the social, cultural, political and economic spheres. The woman performs the role of wife, partner, organizer, economist, mother, teacher, health officer, artist, queen etc. Women in India are also shining in sports and all other services that have traditionally been performed by men. We felt the world will be a much better place if we celebrate woman’s achievements and break the bias. We should call for change and celebrate acts of courage and determination by ordinary women who are playing extraordinary roles in our day to day life. We in the developing world are still in the culture and tradition of a male – oriented society. Infact we need to acknowledge and change the orientation from male dominance to gender neutrality and parenting friendly environment.

Finally we finished our meals, clicked infinite pictures and now it was time to disperse and go back to our actual roles and grind into our routine life. Goodbyes are always difficult specially when one has thoroughly enjoyed every bit of happiness with their loved ones. While I was driving back home enjoying nonstop soulful songs of Lata Mangeshkar, I felt uplifted and remembered the memorable time spent with my feminine crowd and how it truly pacified my soul. I decided to lock these moments by penning down my experiences. Many thoughts about womanhood wandered in my head and today I appreciate each and every woman wholeheartedly and would like to convey that every woman out there doing any job, or in any role being a mother, being sister, being a wife, being a daughter, being a friend, we all have a very precious birth. Being a woman we are honored to be mother, an adoring daughter, caring sister, funny and amazing friend. We are heading towards a generation where we are equivalent to men. So just be yourself, stay motivated, keep yourself healthy and happy. Let there be strength for each other. Let’s be the icon of Love, let’s be super amazing moms. For every woman her family is her strength, we sacrifice a lot of things for our family, we make promises and we keep it. You are the inspiration, the motivation and you are independent. You build the world, you have dreams and have the power, you are beautiful and you are proud of that.  May the marvelous feminine energy cover our own warmth and greatness by following to be strong:-

Mentally – learn to be so strong, that you do not depend on anyone else, when you feel low. Make yourself so powerful to deal with any situations and crisis that arise. Diversion is a great pathway to any problems. Learn the art to survive. Giving up doesn’t help, it just piles up. 

Physically – stay fit, move your body, say bye bye to laziness. It’s a long term investment for any individual. Try and invest in yourself, your physical fitness. Design a daily regime and ask yourself daily, Did I move Today? 

Financially – No one knows what life holds ahead. So men or women, have to be financially independent. 

A big shout out to all the women’s making progress that no one recognizes because you never let anyone see your darkest moments. You’ve been silently winning battles and reinventing yourself. Be proud of every step you are making in the right direction. Keep going. You go this. 

And while I head back to my routine hustle and bustle again, here’s my short creation in a form of a little poem which will help us all to accept, appreciate and allow woman to grow and legitimize themselves in all life prospects. 

Let her live the moment flawlessly,

Let her embrace her beauty gracefully,

Let her dance her heart out,

Let her finish that cup of tea peacefully,

Let her enjoy cooking at her own pace,

Let her meditate in tranquility,

Let her finish that important call without interrupting,

Let her have that extra hour of sleep,

Let her take few deep breaths,

Let her enjoy her meals calmly,

Let her have her much needed “me time”,

Let her be late sometimes,

Let her not be strong all the times,

Let her throw those tantrums of being exhausted,

Let her make those unintentional mistakes,

Let her live her dreams,

Let her go out on her limb to help others,

Let her not economize and sometimes,

Let her spend that little extra,

Let her not be judged,

Let her take that break from her routine and,

Let her paint the town beige.

Because a little is all she deserves! 

Let’s not strengthen her weakness,

Rather let’s build her strength.

Remember woman remember, no matter whatever you do,

You are more than you can see and 

You are loved endlessly! 

Happy Women’s Day!!