Who are your favorite people to be around?
The narrative explores the complexities of family relationships, particularly focusing on John, a young man burdened by his hostile behavior towards his parents. Despite their attempts to raise him well, John struggles with his upbringing and societal expectations, leading to a strained relationship. As he faces unemployment and dependency, the dynamics worsen. The story highlights the need for positivity and self-realization, suggesting that individuals must confront harsh realities to seek change. It emphasizes that true happiness can stem from simplicity and gratitude, even amidst adversity.
Whom one should confide and how is a question one sometimes faces. Despite a crowd of relatives, friends, and acquaintances, the wading through the miasma of hesitation and suspicion continues. The army of relatives and even family members seem alien. Those who advocate relationships are also helpless in suggesting any workable solution.
The increasing complexities and inability to prognosticate the impending events of life land in a pathetic situation and coming out of it becomes difficult. The unfortunate truth is that, despite warnings about future mishaps, people often ignore such advice. It occurs in the case of family affairs when the siblings start treating their parents as their foes. They consider their parents the ones who don’t want them to be happy. The situation becomes piquant.
John was a cute boy. He was a brilliant student. His parents tried to bring him up decently despite being not well off. They wanted to see him secure and well-placed in any field. Probably this was not what destiny wanted.
Opposite to his parents, John was outspoken and, to a certain extent, direct. He would argue on the issues he thought he was right about and used to put his point in a rather hoarse tone. Putting his point was not a problem, but the thing which annoyed his parents was his irascible behaviour, particularly towards them.
John had started going to school. He was good at studies but was peppy and playful in the class. His class teacher would often complain about his “rowdy” behaviour. Showing typical stereotypical behaviour, his class teacher tagged the little boy with such a harsh word. His parents were called and without examining the real position, they were also castigated.
It is the irony of society. Responsible people behave irresponsibly and in a casual manner. A teacher has a great responsibility of shaping and trimming their disciples. Teachers often don’t take it as a duty but treat it as a job for which they are being paid. They stay oblivious to their remark to the children, but it cast aspersions on children’s psyche.
John was, albeit tagged by his teacher in his childhood days but it affected him in such a way that he carried it to a young age and became habituated. He behaved rudely with everyone, including his parents. His parents were worried about him.
As he grew older, John’s behaviour got louder. He started squabbling with his parents on the pretext of not fulfilling his demands. He was rapidly losing interest in his studies and progressively getting hostile towards his father. He somehow graduated.
Unemployed John was heavily dependent on his parents. His father had retired from his job, and they were pulling their life with meagre money they got as interest of what they had invested. John used to forcefully extract money from his parents for his necessities.
After a long time, John started running a small grocery shop. Due to his callous cantankerous approach, it miserably failed causing losses. His unreasonably high demand for money was partly met by his father who was feeling helpless, but no one was around him to share his woes and worries.
The realities of life are harsh and ugly. It can’t be wiped off by the rosy words and flowery language. Hunger and poverty, compounded with the menace of a brat child, make life more than hell. A person needs a peaceful life during dotage. Feeling helpless and not understanding their situation, they seek solace in the company of godmen. It is yet another type of morass which sucks the vitality of the individual. It becomes an endless roaming in galleries of a labyrinth. The more they try to come out of it, the more they get trapped.
People try to search for positivity in their lives. Many millions of words have been spoken and written underlining the importance and necessity of positive thinking. Godmen used to deliver sermons using legerdemain, sitting on a dais. It doesn’t give relief but creates a crowd of blind followers with dumb mindsets. Innocent people fall prey to the conjuring tactics. It is a vicious cycle.
Seeking positivity among people ailing with ego, mendacity, and lopsided mentality is like searching for a needle in a heap of hay.
Nonetheless, that is not all. There are people whose company is bliss. It is not that they are happy, but they have not let loose the hope. Despite their odds, they believe that though dark periods have a life, they have to end, and the day will come when it’ll end. Their firm belief is that the sun will shine, showering vigour and life.
People with positive mindset are necessarily not rich and well off. It depends on their thought process.
Long ago, a king wanted to know who the happiest person in his kingdom was. His aides went across the kingdom, scanned thoroughly and ultimately reached a poor farmer tilling his field. He was in his torn old garments, barely covering his body under the scorching sun. While tilling, he was happily singing a song. The royal men were astonished that, despite facing such hardships, the farmer was happily laughing.
Asked about the secret of his happiness, the submissive farmer humbly presented before the royalty that he had no ambition. He was satisfied with what he had and used to thank Almighty for His bounties. By the grace of Almighty and His Excellency, he grows enough to have two square meals. The emperor was impressed by the simplicity of the farmer.
Many have learnt to keep smiling even in distress. Instead of becoming panicky, they try to stay cool and composed and try to think of ways to come out of difficult situations. Fighting out intrepidity in a hostile situation is the only way, as it allows to expire respectfully or come out victorious.
What our protagonists should do? A natural question will pop up. Their situation is tricky and painful.
One must undergo a surgical operation before the rot expands its tentacle and engulfs the whole body. The doctor amputates the gangrene-infested limb or hand. Sometimes a tough decision becomes an absolute necessity.
John is not a child. He is a mature man. He has to learn and face the harsh reality. He has taken undue advantage of his parent’s compassion and generosity. Now no more. He has to realise that it was they who kept him protected; now he has to take care of himself. It is high time that his parents need to teach him a lesson and sternly tell him about their decision.
Is it that easy? No, of course not, but for their own peace they need to continue firmly on their decision.
-END-
Leave a Reply