The Value Of Relationships

Which is the best relationship in our lives? 

Let’s now go back in the past. I was a very timid, shy, and confused girl throughout my life. There was no confidence, no zeal for anything. I used to be very frustrated and embarrassed about myself. Life seemed to be “No bed of roses” for me. Back in the schooldays, I had no genuine friends. In conversations, nobody seemed to be on the same page as me. I was not able to relate to anybody, nor would I be able to share my feelings with them. 

Time passed by and I got married to an NRI (Non-Resident Indian). We immigrated to the United States of America within a few months of marriage. I was very excited and full of hopes, for a bridal life. Years passed by and I was not the same person. My health went from bad to worse. I was getting more anxious, depressed, and confused. Later, I consulted a doctor and was given medications. Relatives and peers around me used to mock me and give bad names. They had considered me as a laughing stock. 

Later, I was blessed with four daughters who were always loving and empathetic towards me. My health kept deteriorating, I was not able to manage my household efficiently nor was I taking care of my children properly. This was very frustrating and I started hating myself. I would compare myself to other housewives who were more efficient and smarter than me. Life seemed to be a bed of roses for them. They were able to balance both their professional and personal lives smoothly and efficiently. I believed that when “life gets tough, tough gets going.” 

Finally, I realized that there is no power, except the power of God. The relationship between God and humans is the best relationship in our lives, which is the answer to my first question. My perspective of life gradually changed, and my confidence rose. I realized that I was unnecessarily worrying about petty things of life. I was valuing these small problems more than my own health. In this way, I started feeling more positive and content in life. I began working and took care of my home efficiently. Tasks that had seemed to be impossible to me, are no longer impossible. I started driving again, after quitting for several months. I had stopped driving due to panic attacks and OCD. Now, I can happily drop off my children to school, take them shopping, and to their friends’ place. 

Sometimes I’m amazed at my progress. These are the same relations, same people, same chores, but a new me. I looked at life with a new lens. It felt like a new version of life. 

Let’s now discuss the relationship between a mother and a child. This is the most fundamental relationship and requires a lot of patience. In general, mothers take care of their children more than themself. She can’t stand her children crying or begging for anything. She sacrifices her happiness, just to see a smile on her child’s face. That smile is priceless. She sometimes forgets her priorities while appraising her children. Naturally, the child-birth process is painful, but once the newborn is in her arms, she forgets the pain. This is an emotional and special feeling. 

Have you ever thought about the beautiful bond siblings share with each other?  

When I had moved abroad after marriage, I was young and shy. However, I was excited to explore a new country. I never missed my sisters before and was engrossed in my own world. They always used to call me and worried about me. But, I never hardly called them back. I had never shared my feelings with them nor did I really trust them. Later, I realized how lonely I was. When my life was getting harder and harder, I began missing them. I talked to them for long hours, weeping and repenting to them. They were always consoling me and comforting me, whenever I was shattered and lonely. They used to boost my lost confidence and introduced me to myself. Now, I feel very blessed for having such a loving and supportive family, and finally realized the importance of parents and siblings in my life. 

Last but not least, let’s dive into the relationship between animals and humans. In the past few months, when there was a lockdown everywhere, most of us were very depressed. The same was for the animals of a zoo in Germany. The animals were depressed and isolated. They could not leave their dens and it was very pathetic. There were no visitors to the zoo, no interactions with people, children nor adults. No hustle-bustle made the animals very bored. Later, the zoo officials thought of a brilliant idea. They called a pianist to play for the zoo animals. 

In this way, we realize that animals are also social and they cannot stay isolated for such a long period of time. Animals also do need our love and attention.

During quarantine, I also adopted two adorable kittens. Throughout my entire life, I was afraid of cats. I used to run away from them and despise them. I could not stand being near them nor did I have any soft corner for them. Thank goodness, later, I started loving them. It so happened that one day, when our new cat came towards me, while I sat on the sofa. She moved her paw towards me. That was very emotional and touched my heart and I started petting the cat. Now, we are so close to each other, we play for long times and we take long naps together. They succeed to wake me up at sunrise, especially when I don’t wake up to my alarm. They are very hygienic and help me in different ways. There is a mutual love and care between us. 

In this way, we can conclude that there are many special relationships in our lives which deserve our time and attention.