Let not past pest the today!

A cultured society is where we rear our kids with discipline and where we respect our elders wholeheartedly. So say the wise men.

If this is true then the modern world should be full of truants. We give our kids toy versions of guns and grenades to play with, teach them nursery rhymes that have their history rooted in wars, swear unmindful of their presence and attention.

But worse than that, they way we look at our elders is a shame. Does this generation hold nothing dear any longer. How mean and foul mouthed have we become?

Why are the mistakes you made in your career an offshoot of your dad's lack of awareness? Why is it a shame to be seen with your mom in public? Why are you taking forward the resentment your parents had towards their relatives to the next generation?

Huh!!! The first two questions are palpable. Whats with the uncles and aunts and cousins and all that Indian family tamasha? Why is that wrong? Takes you by surprise isn't it?

Funny but true - for the most of us, elders are just mom and dad. Why do we forget, sometimes so very conveniently, that our aunts uncles grandparents are our seniors too. That life has weathered them a lot more than it has worked on us.

If they have behaved in a certain manner, there might just be a reason for that as well. Walk in the other man's shoes before you take a dig at them. Even if there be nothing to dwell on, wasn't is bad enough already that an entire generation wasted their lifetimes building up resentments against their own kith and the kin. Must the GenNext also insist on carrying forward the legacy of hatred like nothing else matters?

Why do parents pass on their spitefulness and their bitter relationships with siblings and siblings in law to their kids? Life is not a bed of roses for anyone. We all need all the people we can ever meet and maybe then some more. Then why do we continue to pour lead into our hearts and lives? Is being good such a big deal. Is forgiving and forgetting so tough really?

To my yet to be born kids, I say this - Dear children, your mother has had a happy life. Yes, there were some sour moments. Yes, there were people who made living happily a pain. Much as you may love me, I plead with you; Do not be blind to my mistakes. Whenever I say someone hurt me, ask yourselves,"Was it really unwarranted?" And let me be candid. If you dig deep and through, you will find some instigation from my end too.

Feel sorry for me if you have to. Feel my hurt, if you cant help it. Heal my wounds, if you can. Learn the lessons from my mistakes, if you want to better your lives. But for my sake, please do not think, much less say, ill of the perpetrators.

Long after I am dead, as I watch over you from the skies above, please let मी be happy in knowing that of all the things I passed on to you as my legacy, bitterness towards mankind is not one of them.

Forgive people. Release them from your hatred. Rest all the accusations and resentments. My dears, I do not know what it does to those people. But for you my treasures, that will be the fastest way to heal!