The deeper language of love

I was watching this reality show where one participant confessed that her father had never hugged her and she wants that he once does so that she be assured that her father loves her. After her performance, her parents were invited on the show(a surprise element)  by the producers. The father kept saying that he never thought any less of his daughter and loved her the most but he was lectured by all that he should behave as a proud father. I was saddened to see the drama. Wait, I was sad for the father. In our traditional family setup, the bond between a father and a daughter is very special that doesnt require the testimony of words and gestures. Saying with words but without heart or hugging someone everyday are easy but arent necessarily the proof of love. We are inheritors of a rich and revered value system that believes more in profound aspects of a relation and isnt built on foundation of superficial gestures. Fathers are supposedly less expressive but there isnt a single one who doesnt hold a special place for a child. I do not take charge of all such fathers in the world. My father is someone who likes me to be independent but cannot be witness to a single instance of hardship for me. If someday I have to prepare tea for people more than the usual number, he will stand beside and ensure that I face no difficulty. He anticipates my needs and demands in advance without me having said a word. These are the nuances. For the bigger picture, he is my lighthouse. Whatever good he has earned or earns through learning, he transfers to me. What bigger treasure can one imagine of than the pearls of wisdom. We understand each other. But I dont expect him to hug me and write cards to me telling what I am to him. The relationship stands on a higher level where our hearts are connected. There is a communication thats beyond the scope of words. I therefore think that it is unreasonable to weigh every relation on the same scale. We should have eyes to see the beauty of heart and not be expectant of gestures. So enjoy the sweet and dont be fussy for the dish in which its served.

The metaphor "animal"

In common parlance we often use the word “animal” to imply a rather rustic behaviour displayed by humans. I was pondering over the reason for such unduly symbolism. I couldn't find one. I assume perhaps animals do not hinder to the man made order and abide by the universal law of Mother Nature, man has conveniently assigned this connotation. Animals by far (excluding humans) are the very obvious replica of nature’s incontrovertible intelligence. Having never attended schools, read books they dexterously lead their lives nailing every task from hunting for food to rearing young ones with utmost perfection. We have a pet cum stray cat at our home. She recently gave birth to three kittens. She found a protective place to give birth to her young ones on her own (without any medical assistance). Now every day since the kittens have grown, she is training them to climb trees, defend themselves and all that they need to know. Two days ago she got injured. The wound is grave. We would have ran to a doctor immediately and got multiple dressings for the same but animals rely on self healing. Amidst all the pain, nothing deters her from climbing the grills and fighting with the dogs. She is a fiercely protective mother. She feeds her kittens too. She is in extreme pain but who can she complaint to or cry before. This is animal behaviour, a little piece extracted out of the magnificent marvels that nature is replete with. It is unmindful of us to denote brutal, uncivil, loutish and vulgar behaviour of humans with animal behaviour. Don’t you agree it is unfair to disgrace nature’s beautiful creation through our oblivious use of words?

Respect wildlife. Respect nature. Respect environment. Happy Environment Day.