You probably won’t like what I’m going to say but the sad truth in life is that with most things in life it almost is an either or situation. Of course this doesn’t mean that you cannot try to break out of the barriers that confine you, restrict you and define you but the road ahead is not always easy and often it is a lonely journey.
Call it the law of opposites or the law of Mutual Exclusivity, but often times , it is said that
– You cannot be pretty and smart
– You cannot be a girl and good in maths
– You cannot be rich and not a spoilt brat
– You cannot be poor and arrogant
– You cannot be intelligent and sporty
you get the drift, don’t you?
Way back in time when I was doing Intermediate Arts at Bombay University, we at University, we had a compulsory subject called Logic which again, it was assumed, that no woman could understand or use. Luckily, time and again,circumstances have proved that people can go beyond stereotypes, rise above difficulties and prove themselves capable when called upon to do so. But equally strangely, people only praise or acknowledge the efforts of those who are downtrodden, underprivileged or otherwise short changed in life and feel that those who have it all don’t deserve any praise for any of their achievements.
Why should a woman who has it all
be made to feel that she was just plain lucky?
Why should we resent her success, begrudge her the praise she deserves
for putting herself out there and fulfilling her potential?
Why should a woman who loves perfume and chiffon
be forced to don khadi to prove she’ s an activist?
Why should a girl who solves quadratic equations
faster than you can say the word pretend she likes singing when
she can’t hold a tune?
Why should a girl who pole vaults effortlessly be forced to pull punches
and endure hopscotch and demure girly games?
Why can’t a woman climb her own mountains
Break out of her shackles and do her own thing?
It’s time to say boldly
“I’m going to do what I want to
and not do what you tell me I should be doing”.
But having broken the mould and set free to soar higher
I should be prepared to face some moments of gloom
For breaking down barriers and tearing down boxes
Is a heart wrenching task
Which we have to endure.
You can have it all but the road there is harder
Because much as you fight it, there’s always a trade off
And most things in life are either and or.
“This post is a part of #UseYourAnd activity at BlogAdda in association with Gillette Venus“.
I am also linking this to Write Tribe ProBlogger Challenge
