An Exam-Time Reverie

There's the marriage season in November, the holiday season in May, or the party season on New Year. And then... there's the exam season in September.

The exam season. When children across every school in India are immersed in the vast syllabus prescribed by the Devil (if you are in school, you know who the devil is).

At a particular time in mid-morn, thousands of students across India are wiping the sweat tickling their faces and folding their hands in secret, praying and cursing for getting this dumb fate. I almost imagine the Chairperson of the Devil leaning back in his chair and laughing a demon's laugh, for making fun of millions of students with just two sheets of paper.

As for me, exams are pretty much over when Science and SSt are done, the two subjects in which intensive studying is applied. Maximum memory per unit area of the brain is used for these two subjects.

Now that these two boulders are out of my way, I thank Thee for this unusually good luck, and sit here, writing whatever comes to my mind, on this 15-inch screen placed on my lap.

Two and a half weeks is so much time, and writing after this much a duration, is, well, refreshing!

So, obviously, there's a book lying open on my side, unhindered, waiting to be attended to. And then I see this extremely attractive grey metal notebook lying at a distance, reflecting the hungry light of my eyes.

You know what the obvious choice is.

And that's why studying can never be pure, it's always adulterated with blank stares at the wall, daydreaming, opening the laptop, scribbling, blank stares at the wall, and blank stares at the wall.

Therefore, thanks for being distracted while mugging up and reading this blog post as a result. And that's why, dear child, you should go and study now.

(Evil laughs heard.)

Hailing Happiness

Happiness is a variable term - for some, it may be receiving the much-awaited video game as a birthday gift. For some, it may mean winning a renowned competition. For some, it may be the publishing of the next book in the series, and for some, it may be holding your mother's hand after a long time.

Everyone wants happiness to play a paramount part in their life. It's ironical that when people fight for happiness, they usually end up grieving.

For most people, things that make them happy are generally part of a massive web of illusions. Some humans have an insuperable thirst for wealth, power and submission. At that moment, happiness becomes a puppet operated by the clever actions of greed. Such people finally realize when they are experienced and old, that everything had been for nothing. They hadn't known true happiness at all.

Clearing the mist in front of our eyes, it becomes clear that happiness is nothing but finding something good in small, unnoticeable things, along with enjoying their company. In short, enjoying every moment of your life, finding a good reason to live for, can give birth to eternal happiness.

'Happiness can be found even in the darkest of times, if one only remembers to turn on the light.'              

                                                                                                                     -Albus Dumbledore

We do like being happy, don't we? Well, it's time we understand that spreading happiness is a much more important thing. Providing others with happiness is free of cost, isn't it? Who knows? One day, someone might return the favour!

And that is why I'd like to add to the list of things and situations I mentioned earlier - for some, happiness is giving happiness to others.

And that makes all the difference in the world.

Making Life Worth It

As my pen scribbles across the ruled pages of my worn-out notebook, readying my unfocused mind for the inevitable exams, a thought makes way into that great cesspool of thoughts. I ask myself, 'What the hell are you doing, man?'

Perplexed, I question that nagging sensation. 'What do you mean? Isn't it obvious?'

'If you think you're studying, think again, young girl. Are you actually learning? Or are you just trying to gobble up as much marks you can get and remove what you learn right out from your body?'

I put down the pen and sigh. Not those rants about the education system, yet again. 'I know, okay? It's kind of a habit right now, attending school for the exams.'

'Well, don't focus on marks, then. It's okay to study for the exams to some extent. A general knowledge of the subject is essential. But what do you really love? Something you never get bored doing?'

The answer immediately comes to my mind, as clear as water. 'Writing delights me. And solving puzzles, too.' These interests were skimmed from the top of my mind.

'I think you should do that more, lately. Otherwise, what's the use? Just foresee the future, a bit. You study, give the exam, get your marks etc, etc. Isn't it high time you focus on something you want? Along with other things?'

'But why?'

'Your talents define and shape your life. Don't waste your childhood just like that, spending your time doing something you can't even explain. Make it more real!'

'To make it all worthwhile?'

'To make it all worthwhile.'