Planting a green housemate – exciting, novel company within our roof!

        When asked about living and non-living things in school, we all were taught to answer, “Plants, animals, humans are living in nature”. While this statement was to be accepted as an answer, classification of plants under the category of ‘living’ always appeared unusual. 

      

       With no hands, legs, eyes, ears, nose or skin, accepting trees as one among us was extremely difficult to digest. Though we love them for their green shade, soothing warmth, freshness of leaves and beauty of flowers, I never imagined to be able to visualize this life in them.

         It is only after me and my husband welcomed a very first plant within the roof of our house, when a wonderful feeling entered our lives. A feeling that introduced us to the life embedded within its roots, a feeling that showed us the magic within its leaves, a feeling that made us realize strength within its soil, we experienced the entry of a new house-mate! While till date, I always wondered about the joy of gardening, presence of one single plant changed it all.Amazed by how people experienced happiness with hands in soil and mind in its nurturing, my gardening experience in childhood was only limited to the job of watering; owing to forceful instructions from parents!

     Though a student of Horticulture, I could never contemplate my mother’s happiness on seeing roses bloomed to her plant or father’s excitement to feed with them fertilizers. Filled with energy as if they played with little kids, I always struggled to experience the same kind of joy with these potted green mates.

     Not sure if I could ever understand this form of life, my husband’s enthusiasm to nurture a plant provided a much needed opportunity. As we brought his favorite lemon grass plant and began preparations for its stay, the entire experience resembled the arrival of a housemate! Shopping for pot, soil, fertilizer and planning for its watering schedule, we were filled with unusual energy and experience.Displaying my horticultural knowledge, as I won my husband’s confidence to take care of our new roomie, I experienced the joy of being an in-charge. As a new friend entered into our lives, I was amazed at the power of its love. Blessing us with its company, I saw myself appreciating its presence. 

   Though we have been enjoying the company of this green housemate from a very short while, it inspired me to pen down some interesting aspects of these green friends.

Ø Silent motivators: As quiet spectators that offer us their presence, plants are the best silent motivators. With their fresh energy and beautiful existence, they inspire us to continue our efforts with magnified strength and amplified vigor.

Ø     Selfless beliefs: Trees and plants inspire us to live for others. With no agenda for themselves, plants introduce us to their selfless beliefs. Providing every part for the benefit of others, their life equips us with many lessons for the future.

Ø    Modest needs, simple living: While plants never communicate with us in the form of speech, their life demonstrates modest and simple practices. Adapting themselves to the surrounding conditions, they inspire us to be flexible in life. Survival in any given condition is an important lesson to be learnt from these green teachers.

Ø    Radiating joy, spreading energy: One single look at these plants in the morning can fill our life with joy. Capable of transmitting energy within our system, their freshness can wish us with wonderful moments ahead.

Ø    Punctual schedule, timely conduct: With schedule in line with the rising and setting sun, plants seem to have a fantastic body clock! Rising with morning greenery, shining with afternoon sun and resting with evening darkness, they move along with the rest of nature.

Ø    Essential and beneficial company: With need for industries, thirst for development and love for materials, our efforts are being directed towards destruction of this green cover. While we march towards their elimination, while ignoring their significance, we may find ourselves alone on a barren land. Their presence is very essential for our planet as our mother earth relies on perfect coordination and balance between all life forms.

So while, this new member in our house has filled our lives with exciting experiences and amazing lessons, it has brought me closer to the life within plants. Though it may not be able to acknowledge our happiness with a nod or greet us with a smile, its thin swaying leaves seem to convey a lot!

       

     

A walk down the school memory lane - Part 10

Nothing good about this ‘Good-bye’ – farewell to school life!
 

     As all roads have to end somewhere, walking down the school memory lane brought me to the unavoidable farewell. A ten-part series of blogs that took me to the most beautiful memories, these posts offered me an opportunity to be back in school once again. While I wished to admire, enjoy, talk and be soaked in this nostalgia forever, I saw myself at the end of road with no access ahead.

   

     Past memories shower us with happiness only if we leave the present for a short while, nostalgia spreads around enthusiasm only if lasts for a brief time. With this, as I reluctantly agreed to end the school series, the sadness to leave and a longing to continue for just a little while, resembled my school farewell in every way. Disliking its compulsion and discipline while entering and exiting the school gate each single day, yet hoping to never depart away from it, the final day of farewell delivers the sad truth to each of its students.

      During the final year of school, every student longs to taste freedom of the outside world, only to realize that the voice of teachers’ instructions inside was more melodious than the chaos of independence outside. Eagerly waiting to march in a free field with no limitations and restrictions, farewell day appears totally appealing to mark an end to school life. 

      It is only on the day of farewell that we realize, we are forced to leave so many things behind! Beyond the perfect discipline, punctual conduct, forced instructions and supportive teachers, we bid farewell to every single moment of growth. A place that developed us into responsible individuals, our farewell extends to the supportive environment, joyful atmosphere, cheerful surrounding and competitive aura.

      It spells out separation from our classmates who stood by us in every single adventure. Be it an examination or a routine day at school; be it a picnic, function or competition filled with fun, farewell forces us to say ‘good bye’ to all such memorable moments.

        Struggling to cope with studies, working hard to excel in every grade and striving to deliver the best, school life keeps each one occupied. While engrossed in it, we detest it to the core, but the day of farewell leaves us with an emptiness, marking an end to everything. Though challenges of further studies await our admission, they can never replace the innocence, fear, excitement and joy of being at school.

      Bidding good-bye to school friends was undoubtedly the most difficult task. The sudden realization of being away from classroom chaos, group discussions, adventurous plans and random talks cannot be put into words. Though as friends we stay in touch forever, it can never replicate the feel of being right inside the school building. Writing, reading, studying, fighting, talking, thinking, complaining, discussing, planning - every single activity carried out within the four walls of classroom remind us of a beautiful era.

       Nothing can bring this phase back where worries of homework, excitement of tiffin and joy of meeting friends kept everyone busy, day in and day out. While each student had long list of complaints during every single day at school, they would be magically converted into praises on the day of farewell. Though all have reasons to be sad about the feel of school or reasons to run away from its grip, final day soaks everyone in its shower of love. Warmth of its care and comfort of its safety seem so wonderful, leaving behind fearful thoughts of the future. Worried about the challenges ahead, separation from school and uncertainty of course ahead combine into complicated feelings.

        A wonderful phase in each one’s life, school stays within the heart forever. Be it any occasion or any location, be it any audience or any situation, mention about school memories brighten up the moment.  A topic close to all, school converts each person into a wonderful speaker, offering so many factors to talk about!

      From tears of nursery classes to excitement of primary grades, from friendship in secondary grades to seriousness of final year, school life shall follow me as a wonderful dream. Though I may conclude this series about school, I shall never be able to conclude my thoughts as we all hold an unlimited access pass to this land of happiness, joy, fun and memories!

A walk down the school memory lane-Part 9

‘Out of the book’ learning

         A place that imparts knowledge, a place that offers education, a place that takes us through a planned curriculum, a place that evaluates our step-wise learning – besides polishing us with knowledge from the books, a school teaches us a lot more. 

        Though course taught in the classroom tests our skills in examination, our school blesses us with several opportunities of ‘out of the book’ learning. Not included in any subject or printed in any book, this valuable knowledge takes us a long way in real life.

        While seated on the benches of classroom, in front of the blackboard; as we focused on our subjects and stayed engrossed in books, the child in us was unable to appreciate this precious knowledge. Only after we leave school forever and walk ahead on the path of future, we understand those pieces of essential learning.

        As memories of school, we understand the meaning of every single experience, be it strict discipline of our Principal or light moments with teachers, be it random talks with friends or any group activity with classmates. Every moment spent in school decodes itself to reveal its true significance. As puzzles that never made sense back then, we come closer to the real purpose of school education. Molding young minds, preparing them for the world ahead, guiding them at every step, encouraging them for trials and errors; school certainly does a lot more.

        Complaining about every single aspect of school, it takes years and years of separation to appreciate all that it offered. As we sit back and think about our progress, school dominates every single sphere of life. From bookish knowledge to extra-curricular activities, from sharing with friends to communication with elders; school was nothing less than a finishing academy, bringing out the best in each of its students. Treating every student equally, its goal was to transform little kids into strong individuals.

Though schools differ, generations change and cities vary, school life is always same for each one. Memories, moments, learning and experiences unite everyone under the same banner.

 So what are these ‘out of the book’ lessons that school taught us? Are they same for you and me?

 Here is the syllabus sheet of my ‘out of the box’ learning course. Let us see if it matches yours!

Chapter 1: Treat every individual equally

               Just as the school uniform dresses everyone with the same attire and unites all; it is essential to avoid discrimination and treat each one equally with same amount of respect.

Chapter 2: Participate in every activity

                One may not ace in sports or be an expert in dance, one many not enjoy singing or  look forward to fitness exercises; yet school motivates each one to try out every  activity. It is more about enjoying oneself and less about winning that brings happiness in a monotonous life.

Chapter 3:  Make new friends, meet new people

                 Not restricting to a comfort zone or set of same friends right from the nursery class,       school encouraged us to make new friends and talk to different people. Shuffling of  classes  and creating new groups during activities imparted this necessary confidence.

Chapter 4: Share and care in a team

               Offering the experience of team right from junior classes, the entire class strength worked  as one single unit. Providing equal opportunities to answer, read, discuss or participate during  every event in class, it taught us the meaning of team spirit besides sharing and caring with  those around.

Chapter 5: Discipline and punctuality take you a long way

                While punctuality of school bell and discipline within school premises pushed us away  from it over and over again, we realize the melody of its sound during independent  phase of  life. Sincerity in work, discipline in approach and punctuality in every task  were our unwanted guests back then, while today they are the only keys to open the  doors of success.

Chapter 6: Comparisons and jealousy fill your life with negativity

                Discouraging feelings of jealously and acts of comparison, school taught us the need to be satisfied with our own things. Demanding, fighting, complaining or crying could lead us nowhere as their job was nothing else besides spreading dark negativity.

Chapter 7: Practice till you master  

                Innumerable efforts, consistent hard work and determination are routes to master any single job. Unless one practices with complete dedication, it is impossible to be an expert at anything and everything under the sun.

Chapter 8: Honesty is the best policy

               School teaches each one to adopt the policy of honesty. Lies, cheating, misconduct may take one towards success through a short-cut , only to realize it was a wrong location in an opposite direction.

Chapter 9: Habits and manners accessorize our appearance

               Good habits and manners give identity to our existence. These seeds sown right from school shall remain with our character forever.

Chapter 10: March ahead with pride but never forget the roots

                As the first ever training place that prepares us for the future, our school contributes to a great extent. Memories of school always remind us to appreciate our roots. While we walk towards success, we must never forget the role of our parents, siblings, friends, college as they make us what we are today.

   This ‘out of the book’ learning course has been interesting in every way. Nostalgic walk on the school memory lane has taken me back to its premises – forcibly pushed as a student, longing to enter as an adult! 

A walk down the school memory lane- Part 8

Unanimously detested, universally disliked – the undesired work of ‘homework’

Work for all…..

         So while this walk has been full of happy moments, wonderful memories, nostalgic remembrances and colorful past, not every aspect in school was loved, enjoyed or desired! Think about your loads and loads of homework for a while and you will understand my sadness and hatred instantly. An endless struggle to be dealt at home, I always believed ‘homework’ is the first word that kids start to dread for the rest of their lives.

        As students, the dread lies in ‘completing it’ while as parents it lies in ‘getting it completed’. Either ways, this villain wishes to stay with us forever! It may not be easy for teachers too, as evaluating, rectifying and grading a wide range of interesting offerings demand lot of strength, courage and patience!

       

Impossible to escape

            When I first thought about this facet of school life, I chose to keep it at bay keeping in mind ‘not so’ interesting shades to this story, but compulsive nature and forceful approach of homework gripped me in its stride. Demanding a post in its memory, I was once again caught under the load of this work! Though there have been many years since my last encounter with school homework, writing this post brought the same feeling all over again. Writing under a deadline and completing it a perfect manner, the influence of ‘homework’ managed to reach my blog too!

         With an aim to involve students into studies and keep them in touch with their course, homework takes birth in every classroom and every grade. Though beneficial for our progress and essential for the years ahead, it is impossible to appreciate its significance while being buried deep within. By the time we understand the real reason of this self-declared 'punishment' and value of teachers’ demands, we find ourselves instructing our kids for their share of homework!

Teacher’s privilege, student’s problem

       As a kid when I listened to teachers’ instructions while filling the book with list of homework, I always admired their luck and privilege to be able to do so. Wondering about their happiness while ordering us with so much work, I waited to stand at the other end of table. With passing years and increased maturity, I realized it was always meant for our own good. Practice of spelling, handwriting, multiplication tables and question-answers did contribute in our development, but this level of understanding delays in its appearance. While engrossed in its completion and surrounded by its influence, it is nothing less than a big problem!

      Discussing the purpose of this homework, I clearly remember our words back then. “Once we are elder, what is the use of these tables?” or “Who writes so much while in office?” were our innocent queries as we viewed teachers’ strict words and parents’ disciplined instructions as ‘benefits’ of being ‘elder’! Waiting to be free from this bondage felt like a dream, as amidst words, calculations, questions and answers the prospect of no forced work at all appeared tempting by all means.

   

      It is only after we depart miles away from a wonderful school life, that we realize red marks on notebooks and shouting from teachers back then were more amazing than performance reviews and confusing instructions from our boss today! While our troubles were limited to which subject to complete first and what answers to write for the questions, we were never left alone to experiment and explore.  Independence and uncertainties of life as adults offer no such guidance or support!

 

Different students, different approaches

      Over-sincere, notorious, extra-careful, careless, honest, obedient, easy-going, hard-working, lucky, while every classroom is a blend of such different type of students, the approach of each of them towards their homework differs by many ways than one. While sincere, hard-working and obedient never disappoint their teachers, the notorious ones give them consistent opportunities for disappointment.

        From careless students forgetting their homework at home to extra-careful ones creating copies of the same, from honest students fearlessly announcing their incomplete work to lucky ones escaping punishment, from intelligent rankers with excellent efforts to photocopying types waiting to copy-paste from them; teachers witness so many diverse varieties within the walls of a classroom.

       While teachers exhaust all possible means of punishment; students ensure surplus stock of reasons, excuses and routes to escape. As one belonging to the sincere camp, I did complete my homework to avoid troubles, but not without the usual supply of complaints.

       During regular working days as this homework became one with the schedule, completing course of work on holidays, festivals, occasions or birthday felt extremely difficult. Hoping for a worldwide halt to homework, our innocent minds secretly prayed for a timely ban, allowing us to enjoy, relax and rejoice!

      Though homework was always famous for bad memories and boring stories, it sometimes offered surprising rewards. As a ticket to gifts, games, outings or entertainment, excellent behavior and perfect schedule of completion brought some good moments too. Yet, no amount of gifts or praises delivered same happiness as the golden words of ‘no homework today’ from teachers.
      So, as long as one walks in and out of school during childhood, this homework will enter and exit along!

    What was your equation with homework? Was it love-hate or only hate-hate all through your school?