I am writing my 31stblog post, as Sundays is day off for me, I do not use the computer, hence tomorrow’s is posted today. While I am happy that I was able to complete the post for this month, and I enjoyed doing it, this exercise brought it a lot of motivation and also enthusiasm in wanting to write something to inspire and made me happy that I reached a goal of reaching 31 posts for the month of July, 2011. Now I want a small break, and relook at my blog and explore what other things I can do to give a new look, and make some small changes. While today I had a post ready, when I came across a beautiful article forwarded by my friend Genny, I thought I must post this especially for women in my life, and women in our country– it’s written specially for Indian women by Chetan Bhagat, in Times Of India and I enjoyed reading and now I am happy to share it with all the women!
A recent survey by Nielsen has revealed that Indian women are the most stressed out in the world: 87% of our women feel stressed out most of the time. This statistic alone has caused me to stress out. Even in workaholic America, only 53% women feel stressed.
What are we doing to our women? I’m biased, but Indian women are the most beautiful in the world. As mothers, sisters, daughters, colleagues, wives and girlfriends – we love them. Can you imagine life without the ladies?
For now, I want to give Indian women five suggestions to reduce their stress levels.
One, don’t ever think you are without power. Give it back to the mother-in-law. Be who you are, not someone she wished you would be. She doesn’t like you? That’s her problem.
Two, if you are doing a good job at work and your boss doesn’t value you – tell him that, or quit. Talented, hard working people are much in demand.
Three, educate yourself, learn skills, network –figure out ways to be economically independent, so next time your husband tells you that you are not a good enough wife, mother or daughter-in-law,you can tell him to take a hike.
Four, do not ever feel stressed about having a dual responsibility of family and work. It is difficult, but not impossible. The trick is not to expect an A+ in every aspect of your life. You are not taking an exam, and you frankly can’t score cent per cent (unless you are in SRCC of course).
It is okay if you don’t make four dishes for lunch, one can fill their stomach with one. It is okay if you don’t work until midnight and don’t get a promotion. Nobody remembers their job designation on their dying day.
Five, most important, don’t get competitive with other women. Someone will make a better scrape book for her school project than you; another will lose more weight with a better diet. Your neighbour may make six dabba tiffin for her husband, you don’t – big deal. Do your best, but don’t keep looking out for the report card, and definitely don’t expect to top the class.
There is no ideal woman in this world and if you strive to become one there will be one thing you will achieve for certain – stress. So breathe, chill, relax, tell yourself you are beautiful, do your best and deserve a peaceful life. Anybody trying to take that away from you is making a mistake, not you.
Your purpose of coming to this earth is not to please everyone. Your purpose is to offer what you have to the world, and have a good life in return. The next time this survey comes, I don’t want to see Indian women on top of the list. I want them to be the happiest women in the world. Now smile, before your mother in law shouts at you for wasting your time reading the newspaper.
Cherish Womanhood!
