"The Reality of the Mars One mission is far from reaching fruition but the reality of these people aiming for the stars is a compelling tale that forces you to look in the mirror. While we on one hand are battling with struggles like finding a job, pleasing our bosses, keeping up with our diets and balancing friends and family; these people are answering questions much deeper than that."
Read More"I enjoy the attention when a man chases after me but sometimes, I like to chase as well. I want to take the first step. I want to be the one down on my knee, sometimes. I’m not shy. Does that reduce my value as a woman?"
Read More"We are Independent today but are we really Free? Was he fighting for Freedom or was it Independence? I’d like to believe that he stood for the former while the rest were battling it out for the latter.
He wanted us to be freed of slavery not only from the Queen but from the shackles of our own minds. He wanted us to see the light. He basked in its warmth and he wanted to share that warmth with us. He used to march down streets adorning his cotton dhoti and a lathi in hand, with this inscrutable grit as if while covering those miles he was carrying with him a million little stories of the people he was fighting for. He had to reach his destination as quickly as possible to give these stories an ending they deserved."
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"Until the rattle of these words awakens my mind the day seems empty. It feels like time is slipping from my hands to punish me. Since when did i fall so much in love? Now the distance makes me irate and as intolerant as a tyrant. I search for my prey to dig claws in because this hunger is making me wild. As i sit here, restless in anticipation, there is someone out there who has hunted down my feed. People wait to see me conquer and here i am, waiting for nothing. There's a blanket around my treasure that protects it from me. It says that i'm not ready to pursue all that i have gathered so far. I lost my way in the drunken slumber of lust only to realise that my love is lost. "
Read More"What is the source of this beatific thirst for knowledge? Is it rising from a fear of the unknown? Do we want to conquer this daunting universe because we do not want to succumb to it? Are we whatever we are today because of our insecurities?"
Read More"Because for others to believe that you deserve it, you need to believe in yourself first. If you cannot convince yourself then forget about others. Stop waiting for others to protect you. Stop being the lamb. Be the Wolf."
Read MoreFor me, as a person, the single most important virtue that I lust for is INDEPENDENCE. OH my God! The liberation and joy of this feeling is unmatched to any other. Independence of thought.. of choices.. of actions.. of expressions.. of finances.. of expectations.. of sustenance. It is said that man is a social animal and we genetically need others to make our clock tick. But how true is that? Personally, i feel we are all blessed with the essential basics to survive on our own. What we make of these basics is in our hands...
However, there is one concept that intrigues and alludes me. It is almost too tedious for me to comprehend-" True Love". "Love makes the world go round..." - so i have heard. While i agree that it is mutual love that is crucial to our peaceful existence, it is difficult to fathom the concept of "True Love". How is it possible for us to be in love with one person for our entire lifetime? It defies logic and genetics! Biologically, we are bound to be attracted to unaccountable persons of the opposite sex ( or the same, your choice!).
The need for a partner and a want for another person's constant involvement in your life robs the essence of independence. This person that you commit to shall be a natural candidate for your dependency; since, the bond is stemming from mutual attraction, trust, attachment and respect. True love and independence are contradictory in nature since a partnership/relationship implies consensual symbiotic co-existence of two fruitful lives.
According to me, commitment is a product of cultural evolution. Being monogamous was far more healthy (in terms of sexual and emotional health) and even negated the possible confusions that may ensue in one's social life. For example, consider that a man impregnates a woman. Assuming that concept of marriage has yet not been applied, lets study the various complications that may arise.
Now, lets see, you do not have to undertake scientific researches to conclude that women are not blessed with as many arms in their arsenal to fight out for survival, as much as men are (considering physical strength). Men were supposed to be the providers and women were hardwired to be care-takers. Nurturing an offspring is a demanding venture. Protecting and caring for the offspring comes naturally to woman considering that a deep bond is cemented during the 9-month gestation period. While a man is more adept at roughing it out in the jungle for sustenance in terms of food, water and shelter. So, now, if a man has to father a child for more than one woman at the same time, resources get divided. The natural protective impulse of a mother would be to secure as much as possible for her child. This leads to a clash of interests.
Supposing, if a woman is party to multiple sexual partners and eventually gets impregnated. The role of a father has to be played by the one responsible for the fertilization. Again, there is a conflict of interests between the men involved with the concerned woman. Such situations and maybe even worse may have occurred. Not to mention, the kind of health risk involved in such promiscuous sexual activities. It is not that such situations do not occur even now. Yes, they do but the frequency and intensity is relatively minimal owing to the institutionalization of the concept of MARRIAGE!
Polygamy had its ill effects on health and social existence. Hence, the natural solution veered towards monogamy. Procreation is inevitable. If the tendency of this phenomena to occur is restricted to one couple then the ethical confusion ends then and there. Commitment was more natural for females than males because after the birth of a child, most of a female's energy and impulses are absorbed in the well-being of the child. Subsequently, the need or desire to get involved in sexual activity is muted generously. Such is not the case with males. Inherently, they may not be bound by such impulses. However, once committed, the protective impulse is imbibed in their systems and attachment to the offspring is also a natural progression. The love between the two parents amplifies with new experiences they go through together.
However, man is essentially selfish and paying heed to natural impulses is inevitable. A loose base of a "commitment" cannot bind him. Thus, the institution of marriage came into existence. Marriage is a binding commitment which is enforced by the society at large. It is a man-made law established to bring order in an otherwise cacophonous world. Commitment is cemented and thus, the exclusivity is maintained.
Now, getting back to the 21st century, the roles of the provider and care-taker are intermingled. Monopoly of men over "hunting" has ended as now, even women are empowered with the will to do so. As opposed to the earlier means of earning livelihood, today "hunting" does not demand as much physical exertion. A female can secure food, water and shelter for herself with as much ease. In fact, a household is more stable if both the partners can contribute to the basic necessities. Sometimes, situations demand a sensitivity of a mother from a father when caring for the child. Men and women are truly becoming EQUAL.
The above statement it true although the many centuries of ethos inscribed in our social fabric are difficult to disembody. Cultural evolution is also painstakingly slow. Women are blessed with a unique and amazing gift of giving birth. which men will never get a grip of. The initial dependence of women on their counterparts for security is abating steadily. Some sectors of society are yet to feel the winds of change. It is safe to say that the wait may not be too long. So, here is my question... what is then the need for marriage? What is then the urgency for commitment? Is it security that we are searching for? Or is it that humans were destined to live as couplets?! If one can sustain individually then the reliance on another person is moderated. That earns you independence. That is liberation!
"True Love" is clearly an abstract concept and it is the work of our subconscious that leads us to the most suitable partner to procreate a better offspring complementing our own genes! However, it does not imply that there is only one unique person that can "complete" us. The Earth is overflowing with human population! Do the math!!
Sometimes, your life seems like a movie film. A lot of emotions, drama, sensational scenes and moving resolutions are sometimes too real even for a movie. Movies generally demand a happy ending or maybe a lesson to take along. You cannot predict that happy ending for yourself. If it comes to you, then thank your stars; if not, then curse the Lord! While this maybe the scenario with most of the multitude, there are a few exceptions who make their OWN happy ending. So, which category do you want to fall in?
Growth is painful. When you were 5 years old, the death of the playful butterfly had you in tears; when you turned 10, it was the unavailability of a video game that was a tragedy; by the time you are 15, you suffer your first heartbreak; now, when you are 20.. well, the world becomes a whole lot more interesting. You are old enough to think sensibly but still young enough to get away with lunacy. It is the final frontier of adolescence because now you finally transition into adulthood.
Adulthood is a different world altogether. A large part of our lives are governed by the decisions of adults. Parents, teachers, legislators... etc.,etc. The world works because of these beings.. adults. That is a lot of pressure, isn't it? So, only a 20-something can relate to you the pressures of transitioning into this new world. This is the phase when addictions start governing your life. Addictions need not necessarily translate to drugs, sex, alcohol, smokes. Adding to this, one maybe addicted to fitness, beauty, relationships, cheating, stealing, computers, television, food and the works!
You break into the person you are and most probably that is what you are going to be, fundamentally, for the rest of your life. If you have even the slightest inkling of what it means to be YOU then suppressing it to "fit in" is a wasteful effort. The more you suppress it, the more it does harm to you. Maybe not in substantial terms but inherently, certainly. Accept who you are and celebrate it. Celebration of - who you are- is a journey of a lifetime. Consequently, irrespective of your age.. 20, 30, 40... it becomes simpler to live life. The perennial confusions that plague your mind become easier to resolve. Pride or approval.. love or career.. parents or friends.. short cut or long shot..
If you shy away from yourself then more than you, your loved ones will suffer. They will never come to know who you REALLY are. If you truly love someone that would be the least they deserve.. a chance to know YOU. However, what about the obstacles and setbacks one faces when attempting to do so? Do you have the strength to stand and face the onslaught? Are you ready to face your own insecurities and be the bigger person? Sometimes, you would wonder, why go through such agonizing hardships? It is far more natural to just suck up to life and become a part of the forces which put pressure on you. Yes, maybe that is true. However, you won't have the pleasure of stating - " I LIVED LIFE ON MY OWN TERMS...!".
