Exam Time: The Suffering Soul😉

"I never lose. I either win, or I learn. "

--Nelson Mandela

Remember our school's exam time? Yes, mugging up,  remembering hard, chanting notes like a rhyme, putting logic and creating short-cuts to memorize, jumping from this page to that one, then to another book altogether... Guides, notes from teacher; marking with pencil, blue pen, no a black one, or better with a green one for finding it later... Strolling here and there, swinging all over to memorize this "overhead transmission" kind of topic; And OMG, the important list given by sir...plus How can you forget revising what mam said........STOP!

This story is dizzily flashing on my mind. It is of the time when we grew up from being kids, to own the responsibility of passing in exams, and spared our parents to an extent. But before that, till the time we were in primary school, it was surely our parents who took the tension of our exams. Whether we have learnt our chapters or not, how much did we score in class tests and projects, is our work complete and checked by teachers of said subjects or not, how well are we studying and performing in class?

"To understand your parents' love, you must raise children of your own." 

--  Chinese Proverb

Today, its the time for the "annual exams" in most of the schools here. I happen to be just another mom, who has taken the responsibility of teaching both my kids, all by myself. It's relevant to mention here, that my elder one is appearing for the finals of second standard. And the emotions are therefore, real... So very real and challenging! Yes, the primary school kids are quite small in age and they hardly know the importance of exams. How you need to pass those and try for a decent score atleast, is nowhere in their mind. My boy innocently says that since we have studied for class tests, our chapters are covered and done. He says with high OVER confidence, "I know it ALL, you may spare me from studies and revision mom. I will write it all tomorrow. Don't worry!" He somehow makes me wonder if its the subjects I am teaching him, or the lessons of life I am learning from him? Doing the needful with - Simplicity, Joy, Confidence! (Related: Songs of your Soul💖🎶🎵 )

I know that I have tried to make you cover your subjects well, you have revised it already and a revisit to the pages, a day before exam is all that you need... Somehow my anxiousness wasn't going away initially. Later, when I see you absolutely free from worries,  it makes me ponder, and warms my heart... It then leads me to think,  its okay, actually its so lovely to be a pure soul like you... Will you be able to retain your approach even when you grow up?  Or, in a few years, you too will be experiencing the abovesaid bucket of exam emotions?  I will be watching you and stand by you. Probably its part of growing up that we own responsibility. But HOW we do it, makes a difference in life! 

"Much of good work is lost by the lack of a little more." - Edward H. Harriman

What about the exams of life? Every now and then, we face new situations and challenges. Whether its in office or at home, in finances or in relationships, in personal life or in our society - its a set of excersises bestowed on us like a question paper. We put our hours, days,  weeks, months and years solving it.  Towards the end, we revise, make limited corrections as per availability of space, time and resources.  Finally, our skills to lead life is evaluated (by ourselves/or by others). The approach in life that led to further our lives in the direction of betterment,  leads us to feel happy and content (successful).  Steps that destroy our mental peace,  reduces joy, and enhances tension, makes us feel like a failure (unsuccessful). Initially, we are helped by our parents, teachers, guardian and they back up for any of our trials and attempts. It's similar to the classes we attend in school. Later, we own up the responsibility. Instead of the more practiced adult ways of worrying, learning for a fixed outcome, losing our peace of mind for trivial marks, wouldn't it be better, if we took the abovesaid approach of the tiny tots - Doing the needful with - Simplicity, Joy, Confidence! Well,  that's just a perspective, mine.😄 (Related: Dream On, Dear Soul... 🔮 )

It might be a harsh reality of life that most often, WE do not find life to be fair. The sooner we realize it, the better it is. Be it the toppers, the mediocres or the failures - all find a space and place to live within the norms of human society. Their marks, talents,  skills, intelligence, beauty, sincerity, carefulness or carelessness, honesty or dishonesty, hardworking or smart working or mere lazy ones,  the rich ones or the poor ones,  the prize winners or the audience class,  all this ceases to be the reasons of being successful or unsuccessful. Most of the crowd finds a way for livelihood,  they have relationships,  and get along the normal course of life- personally and professionally. A few may have a hard time with finances,  the other few may be struggling with relationships. Some may be high on wealth and luxuries, while some will boast of beauty,  health and fitness. Some will be happily drenched in sweet relationships,  while everything else is haywire. Ultimately,  what defines us as individuals living a good or bad life? Are we successful or a failure in the exam of life? Are we leading a WORTHY life? A purposeful one? The last bit- simplest one- Are we happy?

So, are YOU happy? The answer to this last bit is like that of "choose the best option" : YES or NO. It's not at all a descriptive one. It's free from the if and but scenario. And to all the people who have thought a little, frowned a little,  then smiled big,  and said YES...😄I am sure are the winners in life. With multiple things happening in life, a constant effort to "keep the BALANCE" looks like the only sane way to be happy. To focus on the larger picture along with the small joys, to keep things simple! To love what you do and do what you love; to do the needful and put your creativity to it... To create the sheer joy of balancing... evaluating, prioritizing and choosing the most suitable option for yourself, that looks best in the given circumstances.  To be convinced  of being true to your own self,  that you consciously chose happiness. Good job! 

If you said 'NO'😕 and you feel that you are 'not happy' in life... The only thing I want to remind you is that "the exam is not over yet". You may use the above cheat-sheets...😉And scribble a bit, make a few corrections, and attempt the upcoming excercises with a "winner's approach". Not all things need to be perfect. Nor all days are the same. Prepare well,  focus on things important to you, evaluate,  prioritize,  choose consciously,  play your cards with confidence...  Drench yourself with the joy of writing the story of your life,  your way! Hope you hit the right balance this time... (Related: Renovate Yourself 🎀🎨🎭 )

"The expert at anything was once a beginner." - Helen Hayes

Wish you all the very best for exams...  👍