Women's day in every way

8th of March is celebrated internationally as Women's day to recognize the achievements of women all around the world. As the day approaches closer, I've been thinking about how this day relates to me. I am truly grateful to be living in times where women have the right to choose. I've been raised in a family where gender equality was taken for granted and good education was a must for all. I've also been lucky enough to have never experienced gender bias at work. So, from my perspective, I think we've come a long way from fighting for the right to vote in early 1900s to today.

As I look around today, I see all these super-women juggling their work-home balance and trying hard to excel on both fronts. My mother often refers to this as "a candle burning on both ends". This makes me feel like the fight for equality has moved from the outside world to a woman's self-imposed moral obligations. In today's world, it is very rare that your male boss would expect you to do less work because you are a woman and raising a family. But, social pressures would make you toil harder on your home and family front. So, where is all this social pressure coming from? I believe it is more from all the women in society than the men.

If a woman with a successful career happens to miss a school function - no man would raise an eyebrow. But, there will definitely be a woman criticizing this as pure neglect and selfishness. If a busy woman hires a cook, before another man notices -- there will be 10 women disapproving this as wrong prioritization. If a mother had to take up a long business trip, there will be women doing a "tsk tsk". So, why are women so hard on fellow women? Why are women so judgemental about how a woman performs on her home front? I strongly believe that every woman becomes an awesome mother and considers family to be dear - and I think most women believe that as well. Then, why can't we as women have more faith on other women? We need to give each other a break. I believe in today's world, true women's day would be not when we have convinced every man about equal rights, but when we have convinced every woman to appreciate other women. It's high time that we allow each other to think about oneself once in a while and stop being critical.

Complaint free zone

Have you ever felt like you are surrounded by all unhappy folks? Recently, I had this overwhelming feeling that wherever I went, there were complaints and more complaints. Married friends complaining about their spouses - unmarried ones complaining about being single. Employed people grumbling about insane work hours, while unemployed ones tired with their mundane life.  Complaints about family, health, colleagues, managers were galore! In addition, there is the favorite complaint about weight loss. Everyone I was around seemed to be unhappy about something...

Weighed down by the world's grievances and resentment (along with a whole bunch of my own), I decided to join Yoga. I entered the class and on the entrance lay a sign: "Namaste, you have now entered a complaint free zone." The idea was so radical -- a complaint free zone?? Was that really possible? As I continued the class, the idea started growing on me. It seemed so simple, yet so illusive.  You come to a place where there were no self expectations, no self ego and no competition. You listened to your body and accepted yourself for what you were. You appreciated the life in you and reached a place where there were no complaints anymore.

Filled with my new found state of nirvana, I came home and told my husband all about my reinvigorating experience. I told him how much at peace I felt suddenly. I went on by telling him that he should also come with me instead of his regular gym routine. I thought we anyways did not spend enough time with each other. My husband just smiled and gave me a knowing look and ironically said - "Stop Complaining".