ABC Wednesday
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| Zigzag road in the midst of hills on Kumarhatti Nahan road. Shot early morning during a walk. |
Coupled with
its tough exterior, the lexical item ‘zigzag’ refers to a pattern that is
irregular, often jagged, sometimes winding, but seldom smooth or straight.
Interestingly, it is similar to the nature of our existence on this earth. With its weird looks and somewhat negative semantics,
it can claim to have strong kinship with our complex existence. In fact,
‘Zigzag’ structure of our short odyssey here is integral to us and accepted by
us, though grumpily.
Take for
example the moment of our birth. Upheavals,
unbeknown to our parents take charge by natural course, the very moment. Recall that scary but anticipated cry on
entry. Separation from the protective fold of the embryo gives the first shock
of life. The saga of irritants, which erupt in the first few years, can write a
book.
Then our
early childhood pure and serene ostensibly, passes through innumerable
disturbing phases. Single parent or absentee father or hosts of other issues,
leave scars on children’s subconscious, creating insecurities.
Youth with its exuberance is not without heartbreaks,
doubts and varied unpleasant crises, on the sidelines of growing up.
Married life is a ceaseless churning of the
sea. It is akin to a zigzag maze. Here one longs for consistency- an illusive
chimera- instead frequent face off with harsh edges becomes a salty reality.
Middle age has its own sweet and sour paths to
trudge. Mounting family responsibilities and plummeting energies weigh heavily.
Fantasies disappear and realism sets in.
There are some streaks of light though, if
your children do well and you have a satisfactory job and enjoy material
comforts.
When you are on the threshold of embracing
senior years, life shifts gears. You are a lot mellower and introspective. You
avoid arguments and try to live by the strength of your inner core. Energy levels deplete. Aging process takes
over stridently. Confidence gets a
beating.
However,
there are some joyful sparks too. Bereft of duties, you enjoy more freedom to pursue
hobbies, which were held back in your active years.
May be some zigzag intrusions on the road of
life is a blessing as well. The uncertainties and insecurities of life make
every day a new adventure, which keeps us on our toes. Our mental faculties go
on overdrive to confront the new challenges.
The sameness of life, with an expected scheme
of things, would have turned us into passive rags, prepared to self-destruct
due to boredom.
God rightly
gave us a short shelf life to save us from unnecessary decay, depression and morbidity.
The cobbled zigzag path is our destiny and we have to train ourselves to walk
upon its abrasive trails.
Friends, waiting for your views.
