Swing of the Pendulum

In less than 24 hours, the pendulum had swung from one end to the other; it was quite surprising for me to listen to the very people who had found more than half a dozen unholy tendencies, today ventured to assure me with more than that many virtues. Were they consciously trying to undo the damage they had collectively done to my personality? The swift was too sudden, and I struggled to understand how these men, all of them so mature and aged, could do this? When all is said and done, they were helpless to find people whom they could rely on; they might find me so weak and vulnerable, but they did not seem to find a better person around, and I would think they themselves might not fit into the bill.

I would not have liked to stage a drama, trying to hold on to my guns, as it were, and trying to lash them for the heap of personal feedback they had levied on me. I could have very easily told them how they could not see these many virtues yesterday in me, and today all of a sudden all of them were unanimous to undertake a job which was vital and there was not a single soul who fitted into their expectations. Maybe they felt it quite humiliating to accept their own fault, and therefore had to send me out to discuss among themselves how they would push the pendulum to the other side and make me accept their proposal. When I had come, they did repeat all that they had faithfully prepared. This time they depended on me.

It was possible for me to refuse their offer, and make them regret for what they had done to me barely 24 hours ago; but still then I am not sure if that would have made them realize it. They were in a situation which was more than pathetic. They needed someone to salvage the situation, and suddenly it dawned to them after discussing for more than two hours that I would just fit in, and the boss who used the most sugar coated words did not stop to observe that he felt a kind of peace within when he considered my name to hold this important assignment. It is not going to be easy, but they said that I was credible and a role-model to hold this post. Was I carried away by their sweet words? I was careful not to swallow their words, but was available for whatever was the need of the hour.

I did not expect this to happen; this was something I could not believe would happen to me; it is not that it was something impossible for me to handle, but I always considered myself as a misfit for this assignment. But the four men considered me an ideal person to fit into the assignment, and each of them ventured to justify their proposal. I could understand that they all had a point to make, but they also were in a situation which demanded me to step in. They could not think of another person, more suitable than I. They were more than pleased when I agreed to their proposal and accepted to embrace this tough task.

It is impossible for me to assess if they were rethinking about their comments about me on the previous day, but surely they would have been happy about my availability, which I considered was one of my strong assets. Though they had strong reservations about the way how I presented myself, yet today they thought that I had an exemplary demeanor which could challenge young men. I had a feeling that during the two days battle, I had won over, though at the end of the day yesterday, I had a lump of sadness lurking in my stomach, and the loving and tender words of my dear friend soothed much of the pain, and today here I am to narrate the other side of the narration at the battlefront. But I know for sure I am to be prepared for more battlefields to face and embrace.

Daring to Dream

It is fun to talk to youngsters about 'dreams', and as I asked them if they dream, there were giggles and smiles. After all, who on earth does not dream? Every one has dreams, big or small, good or bad, and so my question might have been quite unwanted. But I had a point in asking them whether they dream, and what sort of dreams they have! I made it clear that the dreams that small children have about what they would receive from their parents and relatives is quite different from adolescents and adults would have, and that is the kind of dreams I was keen on delving deep into.

Needless to say, our dreams are shaped and moulded by the society we live in, the kind of people we associate with, and the kind of role-models we have around. One thing however is quite interesting to note: the children from the poor backgrounds often have bigger and more ambitious dreams, and it is not surprising that many of them do achieve a greater part of their dreams, by sheer will power and determination. Those who are well-to-do and rich, do not bother to dream big, and therefore they have stunted growth, and remain where their parents had left them.

I was surprised to hear one of the little girls tell me that she wanted to be an air-hostess! Where did she come across an air-hostess, who might have inspired her to become one? This ten-to-twelve year old girl had a dream which is out of the ordinary mould that girls of this hostel would generally dare to dream; it may be possible that this girl does not know what it is to become an air-hostess, but since her eyes are clearly fixed on this dream, I would not be surprised if she becomes one after some years.

I had made it clear that most often our dreams are self-centered; we become the center of our dreams, and may not include others, our family, friends and neighbors in the dreams. If the dreams are too narrow and self-centered, then the challenges and struggles we may have to face are far greater than the dreams which include our closest circle of dear ones, parents, siblings, friends and neighbors. When we share in the collective dream of a community, we are sure to receive the approval and support of the community, which are more important for the realization of the dreams.

There is one way how we can nourish and nurture our dreams: by helping others realize their own dreams, big or small, as the case may be. We all need the support of the other people in society to translate our dreams into a reality. No dream can be realized in a vaccuum; we require a concrete human society to realize it. A dream come true also imply the acceptance of the community, and we cannot take all the credit for finally arriving at the winning point, because every dream opens up multiple possibilities to go ahead in life to slowly enter into a world where there may not be much difference between dream and reality!