Youngsters these days…

I am far from old fashioned, I have learnt to accept change and move with the times, but some of the styles that young people walk around in, leaves me speechless!

What’s so stylish about wearing pants that are seemingly going to drop any second, just to display your colorful boxer shorts?  Yes, I realize It’s none of my business what you wear, but seriously, that’s your idea of a cool fashion statement? Give me a break!

As for some of the young girls these days who wear such revealing clothes, leaving nothing to the imagination, is modesty not a part of your vocabulary? Believe me you can still be fashionable and modest at the same time.

If this is your way of seeking attention you will undoubtedly get it, but really, do you enjoy being ogled at? Who knows the crazy thoughts in those minds that see you strutting your stuff, so to speak? If you are going to walk around half naked, God forbid, if someone attacks you, then you only have yourself to blame.

When it comes to hairstyles, what’s the deal with walking around with a headful of red, blue and even green hair?  For crying out loud, you are not a peacock!

As for make-up, your beauty lies in your youth, alas you fail to see it. Save the make up for later, if you feel the need to cover up blemishes, laugh lines, wrinkles, from which there is no escape; for now let your youthful looks glow naturally.

Have you seen youngsters with their cell phones? It is like a life line they would be lost without; they text, fast and furious, wherever they are, while crossing the road, waiting for the bus, anywhere and everywhere.

Text messaging is now ‘in’ and the art of conversation has for the most part, died a painful death! I have come across groups of young people ‘hanging out’ together for coffee or a meal and yet everyone is on their cell phone, messaging or talking to other people. They might as well ‘hang out’ with their phones, within the walls of their own homes!

Apart from the crazy fashion statements and lifestyle which was non-existent when I was their age, youngsters have a lot going for them.

In all fairness, when I think of the youngsters that I know, I am struck by their confidence, their sense of responsibility; they know what they want out of life and are ambitious enough to take risks, to prove themselves and achieve their goals.

I love their vibrant spirit and the way they juggle quite effectively between “work hard and play hard”. On the flipside, others I know simply choose to go with the flow, take one day at a time or have a ‘don’t care attitude’. All in all, they are caring, wonderful human beings.

End of the day, it is their life and how they choose to live it is a choice they will make and have to live with.

 I just wish they would make better choices with their dress sense and overall appearance.

Stepping out of my comfort zone…

 

 

I am not an adventurous person. I am never the first one to jump up and try something new, be it food, a venue or a new style of clothing;  some people must think I am boring, but that’s just me.

 

So it was totally out of the box for me to experiment and follow a health tip that ensured a kidney cleanse, which would also mean more trips to the bathroom to pee, but what caught my attention were the golden words: helps you lose weight too.

 

All I had to do was chop a bunch of cilantro, add to water and boil for 10 minutes. After it cooled, I was supposed to drink a glass every day. Additionally, I would notice the difference soon after and it seemed a harmless win-win situation, so I decided to try it for a week.

 

Day 1: The water tasted bland, had a slight yellow/green hue, nothing as vibrant and healthy looking as the picture, but the fact that I didn’t have to hold my nose to gulp it down was a relief. In fact I sipped it slowly, imagining it giving my kidneys a rude awakening as it started the cleansing.

 

Day 2 – 6:  Pretty much the same as day one. I wasn’t taking any extra trips to the bathroom, I didn’t notice any glowing skin, or weight loss either, but I decided to keep going.

 

Day 7: I emptied out the last glass from the jug in the fridge and just gulped it down. It had been a week and nothing had changed. I had no idea if my kidneys were given a thorough cleaning or not, but I hadn’t even lost an ounce. If I expected someone to say ‘you look amazing, what have you done,” that wasn’t forthcoming either. If anything, my anxiety to see some change must have caused worry lines if nothing else.

 

One week down the road, I wasn’t sure I wanted to go through the trouble of cleaning another bunch of cilantro and boiling it for dear life. There was no saying if my kidneys were doing a happy dance either and I certainly had nothing to show for it.

 

So what did I learn from all this? Simply this: get real, get your butt to the gym and work out like the rest of the tribe to lose weight, because it won’t happen by just sipping water!

 

And then people wonder why I don’t like trying new things!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nurturing my inner child….

As heart-warming as it is to see children at play, as they scream, shout and run around in gay abandon, it is just as wonderful to see adults bring out their inner child, which is what we did, at a recent girls night get together.
 

Girlish giggles amidst a carefree, relaxed atmosphere, good food, good music, but most of all amazing company, made it a fun filled night.
 

We are all so different, in so many ways, some bold, some shy, some noisy, others quiet, but after a while, the barriers of self-consciousness break free and the inner child within all of us, takes centre stage.
 

It is only amongst this circle that most of us feel comfortable, to share secrets, unleash fantasies and in the bargain get to know a little more about each other, without worrying about being judged.
 

There is this sense of sisterhood, of sharing a pact, of belonging and a silent understanding, that binds us, which allows us behave in a fashion, others would not be able to comprehend.
 

While everyone undoubtedly has their share of emotional baggage, all that takes a backseat, as we focus on being in the 'now' and enjoying our time together.
 

I love knowing that I am part of a beautiful group of people; I am not  referring to personal appearances, because that is a given, but to that inner beauty that shines through their personalities.
 

Whatever their personal circumstances, they are a force to reckon with; their silence should not be mistaken for weakness, they have an inner strength, born out of patience, courage and an ambition to succeed even in the face of adversity.
 

What makes them unique is their love for life  with all its ups and downs and that is what makes them extra special.
 

However, as they say, all good things must come to an end, so after several hours of letting our hair down literally, it was time to bid farewell to that naughty, carefree fun loving child within all of us and get back to the role of wives and mothers.
 

So to my amazing girls, until we all meet again...take some time out often, to nurture your inner child in whichever way you can. Don't suffocate her within the cloak of responsibilities, don't lose sight of her desires, because all she wants to do sometimes, is simply play...let her!

 

You can run, you can hide....

....but there is no escape from the icy hands of Death and that is a reality  we all have to live with.

While death is not something I think about often, I am very grateful to wake up to every new day. However, the thought was prominent in my mind recently, on my mother's 24th death anniversary.

I remember it all so clearly, when I got the news and got ready to go meet the rest of the family. I was totally dry-eyed, until the initial numbness soon gave way to unbearable pain. As the realization of her loss tore my heart to pieces, the floodgates burst and the tears flowed uncontrollably.

How do you cope, when the very centre of your world no longer exists?How do you carry on, when you can't think, beyond your own grief and the tears refuse to subside? At that point, there is only pain, heart-wrenching pain.

The reality is that with time, you do heal, the tears do stop and you learn to carry on, because life does go on, with or without you.

So you grieve, you smile through your tears. as memories flood your thoughts, thoughts that are beautifully captured in the canvas of your mind.

Some days are harder than others, there are highs and lows but I know that although she was not physically with us, she is, in spirit, watching over us and guiding our footsteps.

At times, even today, when I miss being able to call her and ask for advice, I  ask myself, 'what would mum say' and somehow, I know what to do.

End of the day, I have memories of my mother that I cherish. She was truly an angel who gave me birth, who nurtured me and  instilled strong values, that I have passed on to my own children.

I have learnt, that while time may heal the pain, love never dies. It fills your heart, it is like balm to your soul.

Sometimes, when I am feeling melancholy, I look up at the brightest twinkling star and know her love is shining down on me.  I  simply smile through my tears and whisper: "I love you too, mum".






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