Food for Thought

Many, rather all of us would have got this one more than once "Don't make faces looking at food / waste food, you are privileged that you get so much to eat, you should see the ones who don't"

These words came to me not from Ma or Pa but from my teacher during my school days in New Oxford. I disliked what was there in my lunch box and she happened to notice. With widened scary eyes she said "Don't make faces, eat it or else I will tell your Mother." I was scared but still managed to exchange my box with a friend and enjoyed idli ;p

That was school and I thought my teacher said that just to showcase her authority. Now I know that it was to make me teach the value of food. I thought we ate only so we could grow up well. True, but the fact is that we eat to live. Unfortunately many of our co-existing beings are not so blessed.

I was returning home with Bhai a couple of days back and stopped at a traffic signal. I was simple glaring here and there and when the lights turned green, bhai said "You saw that? 

"No" I blinked

"The fellow who just ran and crossed the road was so hungry"

"How do you know? Did he pick someone's leftover?"

"No he licked the paper plate he was eating from" he replied.

I was instantly back to my class in front of my teacher with that tiffin box. How we wish that we get the best food, how we enjoy delicacies of variant cuisines and how we finish our dinner and leave the rest for the staff to clean up. How we make variety of things at home and when anything is leftover, we dump it into garbage. How we crib that prices of fruits, vegetables, groceries have all increased. What can be done is the question. The answer is indeed simple and easy to implement.

If you have things left at the restaurant, get it packed and give it to someone who is hungry. Try to use resources optimally causing least wastage. For ceremonies and functions, make an effort to serve limited items so people eat heartily and not just taste things and enjoy nothing given the variety. Teach children to fill their plates with required quantity and the significance of finishing everything on their plates. Learn to share and eat.

Effortless and Effective things that we can do to make little more food available to the hungry. Our small deeds might just fulfill someone's basic needs. Lets pledge to help the hungry and not to waste any food now on. Let us all not only practice but also spread awareness about serving and reserving food.

Lets give a little food for thought, contribute for those who suffer malnutrition and nutrition our minds and hearts.

Cheers!!
God  Bless!


CHS

Dennis the Menace!!

All of us know who Dennis is! Whenever I watched him I pitied him thinking Deedee was the one causing all his troubles. I used to pray that she got married soon and the poor fellow got to breathe air again. Long gone were the memories of that little genius scientist and I was suddenly reminded of him.

Its been a month and a  half since hubby's nephew is here at home with us and I must confess what a menace he is!! He would want the best to eat (leaving nothing for the rest). He would play when ever he likes, caring a damn about whether the one he plays with is ill or unwell. He wants to wear four pair of clothes in a day irrespective of the hands that wash them and his trumpcard is the havoc he creates with all the screeches that roar from his throat and the invisible tears that he sheds when he doesn't have things his way. From hitting and kicking to shouting and foul words (of his age) he does it all so well I have come to believe to be living with a menace myself. Only that its not Deedee but Dennis himself!!

Its been easy and adoring to be with kids all this while but for the experiences with a thoroughly spoilt brat that makes my life more than difficult. To add on, this one's at the in laws, so you can't do a mission straightening tedha kid here. You try and you get replies such as "Nadaan baccha hai" "Humne aaj tak ispe haath nahi uthaya" "Bacche ko rone mat do" and the likes.

I understand that kids are naive, naughty, greedy and careless. I also understand the love grandparents have for their grandchildren but whether it is the oldies or parents, we should not forget what our deeds are teaching our kids. You bring a child everything he wants and he knows it that he will have his way come what may. You never tell him what he has done is wrong and he will never know what right is. You let him eat what he likes and leave things half eaten, he will never know the value of food or money. You don't keep time for him to study he will never give importance to education.

The problem here is that we know these things are significant, yet we say "Baad mein seekh jaayega" but we should not forget that good things and habits can be cultivated at tender ages and that's how they go with us through life. Once the stage passes, learning and inculcating them is much difficult. That's why kids who are at least told about these things are well behaved and disciplined and parents are proud to introduce them to others. Also, while there the credit for a good kid goes to all the elders, the demerit for a kid to be ill mannered goes to the mother alone. I am of the opinion that moms and dads are equally responsible and so should be the credit and demerit.

Having said all of this, I am going to make sure my kids don't turn out to be a menace (Whenever I have them). For now, the forum is open inviting suggestions for me to deal with the current Dennis of my age. Looking forward for your comments and advises!!

Cheers!!
God bless all those who have naughty kids around!


CHS

Silence in Words...

We face tense situations very often these days (or so we think). Even kids of age less than five have worries about unimaginable things.. Well we can't do much about those cute little things children worry about but I have noticed that our tensions can take a toll, not only on us but our work, relationships, family life and health as well.

In many such testing times, we all behave differently. While few of us may target spouse/ children or family to vent out our frustration, there are others who might quietly continue soaking the negativity until they succumb, there are yet another beings like me who simply go looking for solitude.

For all those who find your loved ones simply lost in thoughts, spoiling things unknowingly, not being able to live up to given responsibilities, there's just one suggestion, request rather.. Try to hear the silence in their words if they ever talk. They may look normal, might eat, sleep and talk well, might laugh once in a while and would carry on routine chores effortlessly but they are badly in need of someone.

Someone, not just to listen to them, talk to them or understand them but someone to help them overcome whatever it is that's causing trouble deep within. There is a need for the silence in their words to break. They should mean what they say and not just blabber things and move away. They must feel happy within rather than faking happiness. They ought to relish things they eat than just swallowing to live. In short, it is important to bring them back to life before their invisible wounds make them lifeless.

A very dear one seems to be facing the same but its unfortunate for me that I can't do much about it. I can only hope that life is not too harsh on her and would like to request you to do the same as well. Also, next time you see someone spoil things, ask them what the problem is rather than blaming them or punishing them for the mistake. This applies to bosses and seniors, spouses and parents, friends and siblings.

I know it is a little tedious but try to get in touch with your inner silence. It may not only bring turbulent storms to halt but answer a lot of disturbing questions which in turn could make things and life much simpler, easier, better and happier.

I read somewhere "If you can't be positive, at least be quiet" True to every word but make sure the silence makes you strong and doesn't break you down.


Cheers..!!
God Bless!


CHS