Flaring passions

If you’re wondering whether there is a typo in the title, there most certainly isn’t one. Amidst all the hustle and bustle of the world, no one really teaches us to take a step back and evaluate all the things that no longer work in our favour. The art of unlearning is just as if not more important than the act of learning something. Giving up on something even if it is putting you into an emotionally and mentally toxic place is seen as a sign of weakness and even looked down upon in many cultures and traditions. But what happens when holding on takes more from you than letting go of a trait that no longer serves its purpose. Taking a break to evaluate something is thought of as taboo in a world that wants you to work 24 x 7 either on yourself if not in your job. Why does every skill or talent have to be converted into a financially viable business and why shouldn't I question the rules of the world? Shouldn’t we all get a chance to evaluate what works best for us without harming t...

Rahul got up at 11:30 and the curtains were wide shut which created a very dark surrounding. There was little to no sunlight penetrating the room and covered in a double blanket, leaving the bed seemed like a monumental task in itself. Rahul had seemed so assured about his life just a year ago and on that cold winter morning in December, he seemed as lost as ever, struggling to maintain basic hygiene and good health. He also struggled to get through normal chores. He had just started a new course and taken a sabbatical from his workplace. The year had been tough with heartbreak and funerals at distinct intervals reminding him about the reality that life would end one day. He managed to get up as he boiled a cup of black tea for himself with bloodshot eyes that made him look like a stoner. His mother silently watched as she rolled chapatis to near perfection. She had gotten so good at doing this that she could do it with her eyes closed at the moment. She looked at him and tried to must...