Universally Inadequate

One of the most universally recognizable feelings is inadequacy. All of us feel like we are inadequate for something: inadequate to win that game, inadequate to get into that dream college, inadequate to get a promotion, inadequate as a parent or caregiver... the list goes on an on. This sense of inadequacy or "not being good enough" is a socially driven phenomenon. As young children grow up, they are constantly told they may not have what it takes. Parents, teachers, and other family members often point out other children that are in the news or on television. In an attempt to be inspirational, they often drive a child to believe they don't have the potential to do something great. To protect the child from potential failure, they squash hope. For that reason, the young child who wants to invent a time machine settles for working at a local real estate firm. As we get older, that constant social pressure doesn't go away but merely metamorphasizes. In the world we live in today, being "inadequate" is in vogue. At the high school level, walk through the hallways and you'll here things such as: "I totally bombed that test", "I look so ugly in that picture, you always look so gorgeous,". Being confident in your abilities and talents is considered rude or impolite. Can you imagine someone in a serious everyday conversation saying "I am smart", "I am  beautiful", "I am kind". The 2016 Presidential Election is worse than public high school. Candidates are literally scrambling over each other to prove how "UN-wealthy" and "UN-famous" they are. We have bred a civilization of un-'s. How do we change that? How do we teach others and especially ourselves that we ARE good enough that we do deserve it? The same way all the greats do- by preserving and rediscovering the child within us. Because a child is the peak of potential, the high point of invincibility, the state of total complete adequacy. Instead of squandering and oppressing that we should allow it to blossom and develop. We, as humans, are capable of so much more than we give ourselves credit for. If we just stopped thinking about all of the things we can't and started focusing on the can; if we could respect and celebrate the talents of others, we could all become greats.

Hey hey hey, ready for the last day?!!

One last epic post to end the week will be posted today before we return to our once a week schedule! If you read the things I post and like what you see, please please take a moment to comment down below the articles or to share with your friends. Also, consider becoming a follower so that you can get instant updates whenever I post something (it's really easy I promise)! Thank you so much to all of you for supporting me, reading what I write, and providing feedback! It really means a lot!! Stay tuned for today's post!!

Dear Daddy,

You tell me stories of how when I was a baby, the only way I would fall asleep was when you sang me a lullaby. And how everyone said that I was your parrot and that we were permanently connected. You say I was a fussy eater (hard to believe now) and you would devotedly dance to Elmo to get me to eat my food. You have carried me a ridiculous number of miles atop your shoulders (my favorite place to watch fireworks from), both literally and figuratively.  I remember one of my earliest memories is waiting for you to come home from work for lunch. Mom would keep me busy in the mornings, but as soon as I saw you from the patio door, I would be jumping up and down. Always,  right beside the lunch Mom made, was the little mini- poli I had lovingly made. I used to love watching how you would finish it in one bite. Fast-forward a couple years and I remember when you used to travel like crazy for work and would come home late from your flights. You always remember to bring me back something special, no matter how busy you are. But better than the presents were the hugs saved specially for me. You taught me how to ride my bike even when I kicked and screamed in the middle of the road. You convinced me that I could do it. We used to have a little red and black plastic chess set with flimsy pieces and that is what you used to first teach me chess- how all the pieces moved and what they did. You helped me push through the chess positions they assigned for homework even though I didn't want to work hard. Slowly your dream for me became my dream. And when I finally saw my first success, you took me to the other side of the world so I could experience it. My whole life, you have pushed me to pursue my heart and always do my best. In middle school, when I first began to discover who I am as a person, you were the one that put me on the right track. Every day, when you picked me up from school, I had close to 40 minutes to talk to you about everything from nuclear chemistry, to politics, current events, and stuff that was happening at school. I literally used to look forward to that all day. It never ceases to amaze me how you could have well educated conversations on almost any topic- I'll admit, sometimes I would go out of ny to find a topic that you didn't know about. When we moved into the new house, and I began high school, that time to talk with you was one of the things I missed most. But we've filled that in other places now! My whole life, you have been the fire extinguisher to my temper. You've seen and been exposed to the absolute most horrid parts of me. Yet, no matter what I do, you come back with a calm attitude and loving words. Most of the time, you understand what is going on inside me more than I do. You always know the right thing to say and do to make me feel better- you're awkward bear hugs help too. You've fought many personal battles but you come through it all with resilience, hard work, and pure grit. For that you are my hero. As I move through life, you are always there with me, ever-adapting. Whether it be helping me with my Pre-Calc until 1:00 AM, relearning Chemistry for me, or helping me with whatever other emergency, you always go above and beyond the call of duty. Through it all, you maintain your other side- the fun-loving one that teaches (literally drags me into) me to play cricket, or the one that dares me to go on the scariest biggest roller coaster. My go-to image of you in my head is of you singing some song in the kitchen downstairs with that amazing voice that made Mom fall in love. Or else, you cracking some really-not-funny joke but laughing at it yourself until we are all on the floor laughing. What I'm most thankful for is that you taught me to be human- you taught me that every human being has fears and emotions, and that is only natural. Fears are meant to be overcome and emotions are meant to be felt and to heal. Whenever you are around, I am not afraid of anything. I could keep writing this for the rest of my life and it still wouldn't do you justice. When I am older, I want my future husband to be just like you. More importantly, I hope you always always know how immensely important you are to me, how thankful I am for everything you do, and, especially,  how much I love you. Happy Father's Day!

Love, Soumya

P.S. Sorry for the sentimental trip down memory lane.

Nursing Home Forgotten

The silver trinkets, like tears snaking slowly through the air

Clinking knowingly on the forlorn porch,

like the stories an old widow has to tell

They are together, but only to the eye

For in spirit, they are floating in days past by

And the sorrow lies not in the what is,

               But the what could have been

Under a caring eye, day and night

               They might have been all right

But here they sit on the forlorn porch,

               The remnants of their time
~ Soumya
This poem was published in the Summer 2014 publication of Creative Communication

June is Alzheimer's Awareness Month. Help raise awareness about this critical issue and learn more at http://alz.org/abam/#goPurple. Remember to wear purple on June 21 (The Longest Day) to show your support. I will be crossing off #63 on Ultimate Bucket List.

The Generation of Potential

“What you do this day will have an impact on children yet unborn.” ~ Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s message to the youth arrested at Birmingham

In April of 1963, thousands of youth marched down the streets of Birmingham, Alabama to take part in the Birmingham Children's Crusade. In what became a major turning point in the Civil Right's Movement, wave after wave of children peacefully walked through the streets in an effort to desegregate Birmingham schools, even as city officials turned fire hoses and police dogs on them. Because multiple news stations covered this story, the relatively recent popularity boom in television opened the eyes of the rest of America. Change needed to be made.

Modern technology has exponentially expanded the potential impact youth can have. Social media and finger-tip access to the internet means that we are constantly being fed more information. These tools are powerful and an energized, invigorated youth is what we need to take advantage of them. Across the country and the globe, innovate youth are connecting with each other to make huge positive change. Still, it is important to note, for youth activism to be effective, it must be self-motivated. The participants in the Children's Crusade were not forced to participate; instead, they volunteered to support an issue that affected them personally. Rookie Magazine wrote an article in 2011 talking about four outstanding teenage activists. One of the activists, Alya El Hosseiny, was the first girl to use the Twitter hash tag #jan25. This hash tag soon became the information central for the series of protests that would lead to the Egyptian Revolution. The purpose of the Egyptian Revolution was to end "the corrupt and abusive regime of President Hosni Mubarak, who had ruled for 30 years, and it succeeded...". Another girl, Anrenkia "Red" Booker said, "Never be quiet about an issue that is affecting you and the people around you. Also, remember that you are the future!"

The phenomenon of the "teenager" is a fairly new concept: up until about the 1950's, the teenage culture did not exist. People simply went from being "children" to "adults". In the post- World War II era, as our country experienced great economic prosperity, teenagers were able to really impact cultural trends and fads for the first time in history. The "teenage" years are really an extra cushion decade that allows us lucky ones to explore the world, broaden our horizons, and gain knowledge without having to face the responsibilities of an adult. Specifically, this is an extra 10 years we have been given as youth to make a difference in the world, without worrying about losing our jobs or supporting our families (although, not to undermine the countless teenagers in the U.S. and around the world who contribute greatly to familial stability in difficult situations). This is our time to act and change the world we will inherit for the better. Youth service and activism starts at home. Encourage a young person in your life to make a difference today. And, if you are a teenager, gather some of your friends  and (as they say) "Let's do this!".


*This was floating around the internet. Not sure who to cite as the source but it is a remarkable poem.*

What Chess Can Teach Us About Life

As a chess player, the delicate swoop of the knight's neck, the weight of a beautiful wooden piece, and awakening from a reverie  after losing one's self within an 8-by-8 board are all ingrained into my soul. Through chess, even those unfamiliar with the majestic sport can learn a great deal about how to live life. Much more important in a match than the practical knowledge is the psychological disposition and atmosphere surrounding each player. In my experience, the player who walks into a tournament 100 percent confident of victory most often performs well. This game mindset teaches us not to become over-confident or arrogant but also not to overestimate our opponents. On the same note, chess demonstrates how even the best struggle sometimes. This week, in a major international tournament, the world number one player - Magnus Carlsen - lost two matches, including one where he was completely winning. The difference between those who succeed and those who don't is the ability to bounce back. And while this may seem quite cliche, it actually requires a lot of practice. In order to stay on the top, one must be continually evolving to the newest theory and ideas, an ideal that holds true both on and off the board. Delving into the movement of pieces, a game can never be won convincingly without the employment of all the pieces. Whether you are working on a group project or a small businesses owner, this same principle will apply. The functions of each individual piece teach a lesson. The pawn, often called the least valuable piece, is often one of the most important.  By working together with the rest of it's counterparts, a pawn storm can be created,  opening the opponent king to attack. This shows that even when we think we are insignificant, by working together towards a common goal, we can achieve anything. The pawn willingly sacrifices itself for the common goal. But the pawn also posseses the ability to be promoted to any piece on the board if it reaches the enemy's first rank successfully: proving that with hard work and determination even a lowly peasant can become an invincible queen. Knights are like their fairytale namesakes. Daring and courageous, they venture into enemy territory and establish outposts, making it possible for the other pieces to advance. Knights personify loyalty. A pair of two knights (every game starts off with a knight pair for both sides) will protect each other from harm literally until death do them part. Even the oft-coveted king, who spends most of his game life sheltered carefully by his men, races across the board and is the most important participant in a king pawn endgame. This shows that even someone as great as the king has the humbleness to work until the job is done.

Imagine what the world would be like if we all lived like a chess game: with courage, selflessness, bravery, teamwork, humility, and self-confidence. You can learn a lot from 16 pieces...

Ultimate Bucket List Challenge- Summer 2015

Take a look at your life. How many times do we stop short of doing something incredible and outstanding because we are too afraid that it is unrealistic or not possible? How do we challenge ourselves to reach our full potentials? This morning, I learned about an amazing group of people known as The Buried Life. They are a group of four friends who have been crossing things off their bucket list for the past 9 years. The coolest part is that every time they cross something off the list, they help someone else cross off an item. It is an empowering feeling thinking about all the things we would do if we were not bound by walls we have put up for our selves. Artist Candy Chang, creator of the Before I die... Wall, gave a TED talk a couple years ago. These words from her speech stuck out most to me: "Death is something that we're often discouraged to talk about, or even think about, but I've realized that preparing for death is one of the most empowering things you can do. Thinking about death clarifies your life". It was coincidence and the amazing people that organize TED talks that allowed me to discover both of these projects (The Buried Life and the Before I die wall...) in a very short span of time. I have always worked hard to surround my self with inspiring people making real change. These projects opened my eyes to how easy it is to fall into mundane and mediocre. It is very easy to let other people make differences and call the shots while we sit in our own little comfy spots, making excuses about how we don't have enough money or time.

Where does this all bring us? Attached below is a copy of my bucket list. I challenge you all to create a list of your own. Help me cross things off my list and send me something you need help crossing off yours. I promise you, the very act of creating a list, of writing it down with pen and paper, will be enlightening. Let's start a revolution!! Share this and let's see how many things we can accomplish!! COME ON!!!

*Note: This idea is not mine- it is the same idea used by The Buried Life. Please go check out all links in this article, merely for inspiration. I am not affiliated with any projects mentioned above.

You may have to save the images in order to rotate them and read them.

Ben Nemtin's (one of the creators of The Buried Life) TED talk

"Because the people who are crazy enough to think they can change the world, are the ones who do." ~ Steve Jobs

"99 percent of the world is convinced they can't do great things. So, they shoot for the middle; they shoot for realistic goals. Which means that realistic goals are the most competitive place to be. Therefore, unrealistic goals are less competitive because no one is going for them. So, don't overestimate the competition and underestimate yourself. You're probably better than you think." ~Ben Nemtin

A Different Kind of Peace

I sat in the diner

Last Friday night

Red vinyl seats squeaking

Scuffed ceramic tile

Outside, if you looked hard enough

You could see the purples and pinks

Almost gone

But instead of stars you could only see

            the green after-taste of Ferris wheel lights

Little kids, faces sticky from pink and blue cotton candy

Inside the diner, jazz music blared

            Throat- slicking smell of grease

            Soggy, salty French fries

            Off-brand ketchup

But in this bubble there is peace

A pregnant, expectant, adrenaline filled peace

For we are in the Land of Children

~ Soumya 

This poem is summer-inspired so I hope you enjoy it. Look forward to more essay-style posts in the near future and let me know which you prefer seeing more (poetry or articles) :)

Island of Anchors

I

The veins bulge on the map, etched in the back of my hand

            Deep maroon rivers; crusty, peeling skinned plateaus

Pulsing weakly, faintly iridescent, amazonite

I try to twist my hands

            To see my palms

Slowly

Gently

Dammit

The shackles cut into my wrist

A thousand pointed needles dance viciously against my eyelids

My heart makes a heist attempt, trying to break free from my guts

            Reaching up to the base of my throat

            Before it lurches dangerously down, sending off vitriolic sparks

Sharp suck on the ice dagger- winter’s breathe sashaying through the wood slat windows

            Freezing my insides

On the bright side, I can see my palms now

II

When I was born

            My lifeline was a silvery figment

            Seen only if the Sun was exceptionally joyous in the early morning

They said that I wouldn’t live long, claimed I was a wisp of a girl, a ghost girl

That I was already almost gone

But my mother, mule-minded, refused to believe them

And so she raised me, doggedly, and with immense love

Until I dwindled on something bordering existence

The angels took her away from me five years ago

III

I begin my climb up the broad, spiral staircase that should lead to the top of the lighthouse

That is where the Demoness resides

If she intends to take my most prized possession, my life, away in such a fashion

            After stripping away my dignity, peeling it like onionskins…

Then she shall come down with me, into the jaws of the Fire Palace

The steps are cold on my bare feet

And the stone walls hiss at me through the gaps as I walk past

Once, something furry brushes my leg, pitter-pattering down

            Likely, getting a late-night snack

After the second bend, the gibbous stops guiding me through the window

Absolute, stifling darkness

                        Still, I continue upwards

IV

The Demoness hunches over the loom, her old woman’s figure crooked and jutting

            Her hair- balding, greasy, and matted

But most importantly, her spindly fingers running through the threads

            Muttering bitter curses to interweave into the lives’ of children unborn

And in one fluid motion she snatches the glinting scissors at her side and snips a string

            One

            Two

Something inside me snaps, by instinct I lunge forward, and grab the scissors and she falters her dementia-ridden eyes flashing mildly, in that instant I thrust the scissor blade deep into my palm

            Making my own lifeline

Hot white searing pain; blood gushes out

            A single red ruby drop falls on her skin

All of a sudden, she collapses to the ground

            Then, as if breaking through a shell, out of the carcass of the Demoness emerges a Heavenly lady in a gossamer white gown

My eyes squint against her aura

“You have done well child.” She says.

“You have created your own destiny. Go forth and live it- it holds no bounds.”

“You’re ship awaits you at shore.”

V

I set sail that night, on a broad-bowed boat

But I left my anchor behind

As a symbol of hope

Because the Demoness will return someday

~ Soumya 

                                                                       

Hiii Readers!!! Thank you so much for taking the time to read the stuff I write :) I'm sorry I've been MIA for the last couple weeks- end of the year and Finals galore... ugh. But, it's SUMMER now!!! And I have a little surprise... starting today, for the next week, there will be a new post every day! So, check back often (each post should be up around 6:00 PM) and let me know what you think!! Thanks again, Soumya <3