Ironical as it may seem, I finally took a vacation and went back home for three weeks. After two and a half years, I went back to familiar territories, only for a while. As the saying goes, a place where everybody knows my name...well not quite!
The vacation was excellent. What else could I say after all those days....long time really! Let me tell you this, everything looked different for the first few days. Somewhere between battling jet lag (delightful concept!), enjoying Mom-made coffee and catching up with Dad, I was trying to ease myself in to everything I had left behind.
Did getting the hang of things back home take time? Oh yes it did. I did walk around with a look of - "Oh, is this how it's done" or worse "Is this how I used to do it" - for a few days.....I was acting quite 'dumb', the only difference here, however, was that I had black hair :).
Though I was brought up in Bangalore, I became a grown-up half way around the world from there. Shouldering responsibility, decision making and facing consequences, all these are hands-on lessons. You will not know what it is like to be thrown in to the deep end of the pool until you actually are thrown in to one. No doubt we train for bigger challenges at home, but only in the world outside, do you actually subject yourself to any hardship, if at all you do.
So 'what is' and 'what isn't' about this entire concept of 'living on one's own' :
'What it is' is this: It's necessary because it's growth. Growth, not because you have the edge of foreign currency, but because a qualified individuality which can benefit the society. Living on one's own could be even in the the same city, same locality, as guardians do, but it's also fending for one's own needs and knowing how much milk or rice would cost.
Freedom: Its yet another important treat.....seldom do people realize that freedom comes with consequences, its a package deal! If one has the freedom to act according to one's thoughts, one will have to live with its consequences. In a solo set up, freedom manifests in to consequence quite fast, especially when you are the only one left to pick up the pieces....hence you learn to set limits and stick to them.
Humility and humanity: When there is no one physically present to serve you food, launder your clothes or give you a simple hug, you value what you left behind. You realize that people should never be taken for granted and the fact that not everyone is blessed with good company all the time.
What 'it isn't' or 'should not' become is a mind numbing experience....remember one always carries what one learned as a child. Values, principles, even the accent. One needs to change for the better, accept changes as they are good, but never speak or think disparagingly about a place that makes such a wonderful home.
Not for nothing, does the heart reside back at home always.....the person who said so knew very well that a day would soon come, when home must only reside in the heart and the physical self must reside elsewhere for better or for worse....soaring high, growing up....but returning home to good food, better company and the best feeling of security.
The vacation was excellent. What else could I say after all those days....long time really! Let me tell you this, everything looked different for the first few days. Somewhere between battling jet lag (delightful concept!), enjoying Mom-made coffee and catching up with Dad, I was trying to ease myself in to everything I had left behind.
Did getting the hang of things back home take time? Oh yes it did. I did walk around with a look of - "Oh, is this how it's done" or worse "Is this how I used to do it" - for a few days.....I was acting quite 'dumb', the only difference here, however, was that I had black hair :).
Though I was brought up in Bangalore, I became a grown-up half way around the world from there. Shouldering responsibility, decision making and facing consequences, all these are hands-on lessons. You will not know what it is like to be thrown in to the deep end of the pool until you actually are thrown in to one. No doubt we train for bigger challenges at home, but only in the world outside, do you actually subject yourself to any hardship, if at all you do.
So 'what is' and 'what isn't' about this entire concept of 'living on one's own' :
'What it is' is this: It's necessary because it's growth. Growth, not because you have the edge of foreign currency, but because a qualified individuality which can benefit the society. Living on one's own could be even in the the same city, same locality, as guardians do, but it's also fending for one's own needs and knowing how much milk or rice would cost.
Freedom: Its yet another important treat.....seldom do people realize that freedom comes with consequences, its a package deal! If one has the freedom to act according to one's thoughts, one will have to live with its consequences. In a solo set up, freedom manifests in to consequence quite fast, especially when you are the only one left to pick up the pieces....hence you learn to set limits and stick to them.
Humility and humanity: When there is no one physically present to serve you food, launder your clothes or give you a simple hug, you value what you left behind. You realize that people should never be taken for granted and the fact that not everyone is blessed with good company all the time.
What 'it isn't' or 'should not' become is a mind numbing experience....remember one always carries what one learned as a child. Values, principles, even the accent. One needs to change for the better, accept changes as they are good, but never speak or think disparagingly about a place that makes such a wonderful home.
Not for nothing, does the heart reside back at home always.....the person who said so knew very well that a day would soon come, when home must only reside in the heart and the physical self must reside elsewhere for better or for worse....soaring high, growing up....but returning home to good food, better company and the best feeling of security.
