250. Problems arise when the mouth, hands and feet work before the mind does!

- Sujit Mukerji

249. One drop extra and the water overflows.

- Sujit Mukerji

248. PUNCTUALITY AND TIME MANAGEMENT

- daughter, Josheca Mukerji

Being punctual helps us to save time. For being punctual, we have to utilize our time very efficiently. We have to plan things in such ways that we save time, are able to be on time and have extra time. By doing so, we can use the extra time for our hobbies or anything of our interest or any other constructive thing. Being punctual needs the sacrifice of our laziness. Whenever we are being lazy, we must remember that we will be the last one to get any happiness or any good thing in our life as happiness will also be lazy and take time to come to us or, maybe, so lazy that it won’t come at all and we will be left mourning all our lives.

247.  SHOULDN’T RULES BE THE SAME FOR EVERYONE?

- Sujit Mukerji

Quite often, it is noticed that there is a different set of rules for the kids. Even among kids, there is discrimination between males and females. Why can’t the rules be the same for every member of the family? But, that needs a lot of sacrifice. However, that is increasingly becoming, shall we say, “Old fashioned”. The rules are different for the elders and the kids. But if elders can enjoy late night parties or even simple get-togethers, why can’t the kids be included? At least, at times? The broad framework of rules should be the same. Like, if it is “No tea” for the kids then why not so for the elders? If the elders want the kids “Never to tell lies”, why, then, do they ask the same kids to lie for them or, maybe, tell lies themselves? The kids do not take too long to see the double standards. Doesn’t this dichotomy contribute to conflicts which prove rather unhealthy in so many ways later?

“Obey the elders”, the young one is instructed. He is repeatedly reminded that it was expected of him to abide by the rules of the house. Respecting the elders is his foremost duty. However, at many times and places, he gets to see just the opposite. What he sees is completely different from what he hears. The child soon perceives that the elder is not practicing what he preaches. There is always a hierarchy in every system. If that is absent or ignored and disrespected, the system is bound to collapse. When the elder, on his or her part, is disregarding his or her seniors, then how can the same elder expect to be held in regard by his or her own junior? When a senior is giving more importance to his own interests and even goes to the extent of having his own ways by ignoring his superiors and directly or indirectly insulting the superior-most – even being judgemental about them – then how is the junior-most at fault when what he does is just what he sees getting done? So, he too grows up with the same traits.

Grudging and grumbling is another area where the contradictions are highly noticeable. Again, where is the child at fault? Shying away from taking responsibilities and indulging in blame games is still another glaring example. Examples are better than precepts. Why can’t we practice what we preach? Steadfastly? Even if it means giving the toughest of examinations. “Don’t discuss people behind their backs”, “Don’t talk into somebody’s ears”, “Don’t talk mysteriously to anyone when in a group”, “Don’t indulge in idle gossips”, “Do as you are told”, “Don’t talk back to elders”, “Don’t be so fashion conscious”, “Don’t waste money”, “Don’t seek support”, “Don’t be so dependent”, “Have patience”, “Be tolerant”, “Be truthful, honest, sincere”, “Don’t speak ill of anyone”, “Don’t think bad of others” , “Don’t drink”, “Don’t smoke”, “Don’t … Don’t … Don’t …” The list is endless. But the question is only one. Are the rules only for the juniors?

246. RETRIBUTION

- daughter, Josheca Mukerji

Retribution or retaliation as revenge can best be described as an action due to frustration. Should we spend our precious time thinking of ways to take revenge or should we try to improve ourselves? One can harm us only when we are weak. So, improving the self would be the best thing to do. No weakness – not harmed – no revenge. However, if we want to take revenge, we can because “forgiveness is the noblest revenge.” This way of taking revenge would not harm. Rather, help.

245. EXPRESSION

- daughter, Josheca Mukerji

To convey a feeling etc. by words or gestures – that’s how the dictionary defines the word ‘express’. Everyone has to express his or her feelings. Without expression none can understand each other and there will be chaos because of the communication gap. Needless to say, an expression should be proper, complete, well-timed and not undesirable. Expressing something with the help of words is an art. Most often, we know what’s going on in our mind but are unable to express it or we express our feeling but the person in front  is not able to understand us and so on … These problems can be easily dealt with the help of practice as ‘practice makes a man perfect’. Even if we don’t express by words, our feelings get expressed. By facial expressions, body language etc. one can understand each other, though not so easily. After all, we act and behave just the way we think …

Expression is a god-gifted thing. All we need to do is to polish that quality that’s latent in each of us.

244. Rebellions are not so much due to the want for something new as due to fear of losing something.

- David Thomson

243. NEVER SAY DIE …

- daughter, Josheca Mukerji

Recently I read the autobiography of Helen Keller, “The Story Of My Life”, and I was amazed by the achievements she could get. She was blind, deaf and nor could she speak. But her continuous struggle to overcome the problems made her so confident and famous. She completed her studies, learnt to speak and much more; thus proving to be a worthy example for all. This could be possible because she tried in spite of so many set-backs. This gave me another topic to think on, i.e. ‘Trying’.

Here I would like to refer to a poem composed by Dr. Harivansh Rai ‘Bachhan’ (1907 – 2003) titled “Koshish Karne Walo Ki”and I found it very motivational. The ideas that have so beautifully been described in the poem are –

By being afraid of the waves, we can not get our boat reach the shore. The people who keep trying can never fail.

When an ant carries its food and climbs the wall, it falls many times. But this does not deter it. It has full belief in itself which gives it the courage to keep going and so it tries again. Its continuous trying results in its succeeding ultimately. So, it finally gets what it tries for.

 Same is with a diver. He dives into the sea with the hope of getting precious pearls. But it is not easy to get the pearls in the deep sea. His failure inculcates in him more curiosity for knowing why he fails. So, he tries again. This time with more determination. Each time he fails, he gets more determined to succeed. And finally, he does succeed, he does find the pearls among all other things in the sea.

Our failures act as challenges. We should accept them. We should find out where we fall short and overcome the hurdles and improve our performance. Until and unless we succeed we must keep on trying, leaving all the comforts behind. We should not leave our struggle mid way. We can not get any praise without doing anything. The people who keep on trying can never fail.

By this, the poet tells us not to be upset by our failures. Rather, try again and again, struggle and then we are sure to succeed.

I remember some lines –

Believe in yourself,

No matter what you choose;

Keep working hard with lots of determination,

And you can never lose …

But the fact can not be ignored that there is always a scope for improvement. Even if we succeed, we must keep trying for the better.

242. Everybody needs space. Many of us don’t realize that individuality and privacy should be respected!

- Sujit Mukerji

241. Bonding is good but indulgence or interference? Isn’t that stretching things too far?

- Sujit Mukerji