The second Gender

Women are considered as "the second gender", formed out of the rib of a man. She is meant to support a man, bear with the sufferings of this world with him, float with the joys and sorrows with him, sacrifice for him, reproduce for him and help his generation grow.

That sounds like an inscription from an early man's cave but what has changed now ? We go to pursue higher education, move out of the city, move out of the country, compete for the best of jobs and work as an independent contributor. No, we not only exist, to support a man, we also support our vision and fund our desires and build our own empire. The transformation from being the second gender to equality is still in process. So the history of the uncivilized hamlets still shadows us to our civilized concreted skyscrapers. We as second gender, not only support our men , also we survive as breadwinners.

This is a woman, who wakes up to the alarm snooze, prepares the tastiest breakfast, burns her forehead by her curler tongs, paints her eyes with her kohl pencil, goes to her work, submits her deadlines just like any other men colleague, delivers a presentation, calls her maid to check if her child took his medicines, does the family laundry, walks on her heels, beat the menstruation cramps, still affords to look good and with a smile survives this world like any other men or better than a man. She flies her aircraft, fights in the border, runs behind the criminals in the police force, makes decisions as bureaucrats, serves thousands of customers as chefs, runs her own business, heads government, runs NGOs and so on...

We embraced the burden of life equally, yet the gap between the two genders is broad, and we are still looked down upon by a chunk of population. We claim ourselves to be diversified at work, diversified with the privileges provided to us, yet are called feeble and fragile by men. This woman's day is not just to celebrate the womanhood or celebrate the power of a woman, but to signify the respect to be earned by us as we share the same space to that of any man, anywhere.

Women's day isn't a fancy celebration, this demands less number of cases of sexual harassment at work, equal wage payment at work, support from the society to call women at work post pregnancy and marriage, equal promotions if eligible, at work. Attaining all of these, may as well bring in a lot of integrity in women at work.

I listen ...

I see a lot of suicide awareness posts everywhere. "someone is listening...", well Im sure someone is listening and we have our people who listen to us, but this world has fastened its life such a way that people are entangled between the moss of progress and so called development, where ears - eyes- taste - touch and other senses got numbed under the heaviness of ticking clock and smoky eyes of metropolis. Someone is listening or not, but you can always listen, you have to listen and turn that deaf ear to the constant devil who provokes suicidal intent.

I guess from the phrase of "someone is listening:, it should be "I listen... ", I listen, I act upon, I know how to keep myself contented. Depression comes in everyone's life and it goes as well. There is always a hot shower bath, a cup of green tea, an amazing salmon steak or a glass of pineapple shake which can lift your mood up. Life is beautiful and that is the utmost truth. Every work that we do, is prestigious and there is no way that you can demean it. Work is life and this helps one going. Work and engage yourself in something always, that satiates your mind and soul, walk back from work. Walking helps , especially when you walk alone. Look up and see those birds that fly to their nest at the dusk hour, those beautiful neon lights that cheer up the city every evenings. Evenings are such beautiful mermaids that dress up in its own fragrance every time. That warm couch of yours, and your cosy kitchen . make yourself an amazing dinner, play those old school songs, watch regional films and burst out in lame jokes that comprise the 2 and half hours story.

Shopping or window shopping helps in surviving a depression at its best. Those lovely shoes and your favorite fruits from the grocer, or a hard coffee from the favorite cafe. You don't need a coffee partner, you may sit by the road and look at those buses who gushes in and out, or the mother that buys a candy floss for her kid, or the man who is waiting for his love after his long day. Its amazing to observe people around us, who are unique in their own way. Chop those red and yellow bell pepper, and those crispy spring onions to make a lovely warm soup. wrap yourself in the warm bathing robe or buys those pink carnations and lovely dragon lilies from the florist by the road or make an amazing orange juice for yourself. Go for a relaxing pedicure or a hot oil massage, read that book which has been lying on your self for long, dusted and old. Old books have an amazing smell that reminds of your good times. Hug those cushions, water those little pots of plants, organize all your earnings and your favorites junk jewelries, Look at yourself in the mirror, gaze at yourself and appreciate the you in yourself .

Happiness is not a term that has to equate to materialistic luxury. Happiness is derived from the smallest of things and could be lost in te richest of times. Suicide is a coward's act, dont let this life say good bye in hurry, think , sit, think again. Pull up your socks, put on your shoes and survive the heinous devil that fights against the beauty of our souls. If someone lends an ear, amazing! If doesn't , come close your soul and listen to what it says ! It asks for a living , living for a long, living for yourself , living for worth a smile !