Surviving Teenage

Being a teenager is anything but easy. Most of the times, things happening to you or thoughts make no sense at all. Moving from childhood to adulthood involves a lot of change and most of the time, we are not ready for the change yet. However, much you want to stretch your boundaries and jump ahead….you still long for some TLC. I remember being a scrawny teenager, always hanging out with my brother who would go to great lengths to explain the ‘why’ and ‘how’ of so many things I could not even understand. As time passed and I stepped out of my teenage, I had a good deal of memories which I hold close to my heart, even today.

If you are in your teenage and wondering when you will be out of it and win yourself an ‘adult’ status, relax…you will never get back these golden years, make sure you spend them well!

Accept Yourself: Most of us go through problems of low self esteem, peer pressure. As a girl, you even got pimples and PMS to deal with! Remember, what you perceive as problems are not serious issues at all. They are just manifestations of your concerns to fit in, look good and make it to the top.

So if you think you have a huge problem, ask yourself, ‘Will this matter to me in a year?’ If you have important decisions to take, think long term. Let’s say you want to get a tattoo. Will that tattoo look good on your 50 year old behind?? Are cigarettes worth the cancer and the trauma?

Choose who you want to be: Don’t change yourself to fit into a certain group. Find friends who like you for who you are and don’t question your personality. Remember that you are responsible for your life. What you do today, will affect your tomorrow. That does not mean that you don’t have fun at all. Hang out with your friends but make sure that you are close to people whom you trust, always.

Step out of the shadows: When you choose to make your teenage fruitful, you are helping yourself secure a bright future. Don’t waste your teenage. Join hobby classes, stay fit and learn basic skincare and hair care to bring out your best features. Yoga is another great way to get in touch with yourself. When you find something you love, follow that idea and don’t stop until you’ve reached your goal.
Stay connected to your parents: Your parents are a great source of support and knowledge. But they would not know what’s going on in your life until you tell them. Try to identify what support you need from them and tell them. In return, don’t forget to hug them [at least!]

Teenage Must-Reads

1. Chocolate for a Teen’s Soul: Life changing Stories for Young Women About Growing Wise and Growing Strong by Kay Allenbaugh
2. The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens by Sean Covey
3. Girls’ Guide to Life by Catherine Dee
4. Guys and a Whole Lot More: Advice for Teen Girls on Almost Everything by Susie Shellenberger
5. Feeling Great, Looking Hot and Loving Yourself by Jennifer Leigh Youngs

I'm in a hurry....

My day begins at 5-30 am almost everyday [except when i'm allowed to sleep, thanks to my maid who comes in late or a SUNDAY!!!]. The first face i encounter is mine and after the initial disgust at the sight of a pimple or my sleepy eyes i drag myself to the kitchen to begin my culinary experimentation. [You guessed it right, its not just hard, sometimes its a huge goof-up when i start so early]. Most days i manage to cook something edible. 6-45 am....i've barely finished in the kitchen when i have to begin pointing fingers at my maid for not doing her tasks right. After spurning some suggestions and pleading her to get it right next time [atleast] i have to get ready to get to work.

Around the same time, my cab driver takes on the task of hurrying me out of my home [he does this by calling me without a break, till i have called him and asked "WHY ARE YOU DOING THIS TO ME?!"] Rushing out my home, i realise that i have not worn the shoes i thought i would wear the day before, the top i had decided to wear....worse, i have not even combed my hair. Hell who cares?! I run furiously [most days my husband follows me and has an early jog, just to say 'bye and have a nice day' & that's probably the only time we get to spend together for the rest of the day....]

Inside my cab by 7-35 am, i'm in no mood to listen to remixed versions of regional songs [most of the times its hard to figure which language i'm listening to!]. I have no other go, for my enthusiastic cab driver seems to enjoy them immensely! Let him, i figure. I try to pray, in vail...i seem to be catching some of these songs myself!! Good lord....

I wonder if my husband has had his breakfast and has left to work. In a few minutes a couple of my friends hop on to the cab before we move towards office. In no time we are dropped at our colossal office building and we spend sometime ogling at all the latest brands that seem to be opening shop here. Louis Vuitton, Zegna, Moschino.....Makes me think: “Whoever said money can't buy happiness simply didn't know where to go shopping.”

Inside offices, the day drags on...from a mad Monday to an awaited Friday, time flies and there's some respite in the form of a weekend! Weekends fly by faster than the weekdays....sometimes there is no time to complain too. But.....it's not all that bad. Not always atleast. Coping with life's challenges becomes an inseperable part of our lives, complaining just makes it seem harder with each day.

End of each day i'm ever grateful that i'm blessed with a mother who loves me, a sister who understands me the best and a husband who is an answer to all my prayers.

In all pleasure hope is a considerable part.
- Samuel Johnson

I'm convinced.

-Reethi

A Reason For My Being...

Are there days when you wake up and wonder what it is specifically that you are doing here on earth? I mean, yes, we all do things we are expected to do. We study for degrees, do courses, marry, and bring up children….all with sincerity. But do you as I wonder where it all leads?

What at the end of a long life, when you have done all this and more will you look back on? What will you feel? Satisfaction? Joy? Or that there are things left undone, words left unsaid….Will you wonder why you had to live a life after all? It is true. It happens. Sometimes nothing seems to hold meaning. The happiness you seek-is it health, wealth, loved ones around you or lack of unhappiness?

Where does it all lead? If we die young, life is gone without our really having been able to sit back and enjoy it. If we live to a grand old age we regret moments that have passed us by.

A reason for my being. That’s all I wanted. And when I saw a bunch of flowers I think I got one! If flowers can smile as happily as they did on their stem, if stars can shine quietly without questioning what we wish under them-Why then is my insignificant self wondering about a reason for being? All I can do is hope somehow, somewhere if i live my life right….reason will find its fulfillment.

-Reethi