We are constantly trying to out beat each other, 'win' small battles, but losing out the main war. What is this main war? It is the one that we constantly wage with ourselves. For example, a teacher may think, is this student out to get me, is this student purposefully acting up or are they genuinely troubled? There is always a fear of being judged which is now become a constant in the world, thanks to all the reality shows which are being aired! Even a simple act like solving the "wordle" puzzle, which is the current trend, is causing some kind of competition amongst people..Strange.. as it may sound, now it is more about 'winning' streaks on Wordle!  No act is free from competition, be it cooking, cleaning, walking, losing weight, or whatever!! It is no longer competition, but all out war! 

The next generation is inheriting this emotional baggage from us and it is imperative, that we do something about this soon, lest the whole world is waging real wars, and not just the ones on 'reality' shows!

Fighting and conquering the war within, should become our first priority, conquering our fears, our ego, our greed, then there is no need to fight these other daily wars, we will become more accepting of everything around us, then there will be less of wars against humanity itself, the world will be more at peace.

Did i get the cuckoo? Tried to record its call...can hear it all day from early in the morning to late in the evening! Would hear it in Bangalore and would imitate its call and when it 'answered' would be thrilled!
Cooped up in self-isolation worrying about the covid statistics, I wonder how on earth did I catch the bug?! Of course, I know....let my guard down a bit like everyone else. Had moved on from the fear of it...that year-long gradual shift....
The positive report pulled the ground from under my feet! There was a flurry of activity, building society to be informed, while the Municipality health department started calling, the doctor to be told, the maid to be informed....sisters...I reached out to them first.
Then friends...
All these relationships - have sustained me during this past week. Hurried messages throughout the day... How are you? How do you feel now, calls from unexpected acquaintances...these have kept me comforted and positive. And I haven't had it too bad. Sometimes I think maybe the reports got mixed up!
Didn't I start with talking about the summer? How did I get here?!
Yes! so - summer....there used to be this day, sometime in March, where I would definitely be able to say, ah summer has started today. But I am not able to pinpoint it now. But the cuckoo knows when and calls it out.- and I will rely on it from now on

What has self- isolation done to humanity? Has it improved relationships in the family or has it worsened it?

Is the institution of marriage at risk? Will singles prefer their solitary lives or will there be a spate of marriages?

Will people choose not to have kids?
Or will there be an increase in the number of kids after the pandemic is gone?

Will human beings suffer from depression, due to long periods of isolation? Will there be an increase in obesity or malnutrition and starvation?

Will financial hardships cause people to choose any jobs they get? Will the economic slide cause an upheaval in the way business is done the world over? Will people have to work from their homes? What about those who don't have that privilege? Will students have only online classes in the future? How will it affect kids? Their social interactions?

Will people be more mindful of each other? Be mindful of the so called positives from the isolation? Cleaner air, cleaner water! And try to maintain this going forward?
Will human beings learn to co-exist better with nature and wildlife? Or continue to be selfish?

Will governments create better policies keeping nature in mind? Manufacturing and production be done in a less hostile environment? Not centred only in one area but creating jobs in all parts of the world?

 

Some questions that arose in my mind..

What are your thoughts?

Do you have a green thumb? Are you able to visualize a wonderful space where you can chill, maybe with a hot cuppa coffee? Hear the birds chirp, see the bees flit from flower to flower? Do you love the sound of the garden hose, or watering can, while you water your garden and watch it grow?
Then this is the space for you. Share your tips to a greener and more colourful garden right here.

Been to a new place? Found an interesting get away locally? Maybe a not so popular area? Give your inputs on it... include how to keep the place as you saw it...especially if it is an unvisited spot...!!
Or are you just an arm chair traveler? You could give your valuable 'gyan' on the places you 'visited' or researched from the comfort of your couch!

All you people there with some special skills, and hobbies! Why don't you share your secrets? Crocheting, Knitting, Sewing, Carpentry, Art.. what are you good at?

Share some tips, or maybe step by step classes... ??

All you wonderful chefs, and wannabe chefs. This is for you! Share tried and tested recipes. Expert cooks/chefs can give tips to improve cooking skills. New cooks/chefs ask the experts, or share your own recipes.