Ritanjali Hastir, Associate Editor, May, 2018, Shimla
Ignoring the Real Life To Live A Reel Life! Are You?
Children have never been very good at listening to their elders, but they have never failed to imitate them. As another academic session is going on, parents are getting an opportunity to become part of their child’s learning and growth. Every parent is blessed who is invited by schools to witness their children perform live in front of them, may that be on a stage or in a playground. Each child tries his best to make his parent proud by putting his best foot forward and yet from parents what response they receive — parents’ faces covered with their mobile cameras, ignoring the real life to live a reel life.
It is high time that parents realize that what we become depends on what our parents teach us at odd moments, when they aren’t trying to teach us. We are formed by little scraps of wisdom. We are so busy watching out for what’s just ahead of us that we don’t take time to enjoy where we are.
As parents, one need to reflect if we cannot appreciate and live the live performance, how can we be so sure to relive the moment that we already lost even before it even began. Happiness is felt not in another place but this place; not for another hour, but this hour.
We all are so obsessed with social media and social networking that we do not even reflect upon the fact that when as a parent we are not interested in our child’s performance why in the world would anyone else even care to give a damn about it.
If the picture or video is not uploaded at the same time it will not affect the world but your child will definitely feel the coldness and the only way to survive eternity is to be able to appreciate each moment. Your child is your dream and you don’t need anyone’s consent to live your dreams.
Your children are the greatest gift God has given you, and their souls the heaviest responsibility, he has placed in your hands. Spend time with them. It is impossible to protect your kids against disappointments in life but make sure you are not the reason for it as when they reflect back in life all they can remember is a 5 x 10 inch screen rather than a smile on your face or an encouragement and appreciation in your eyes.
Technology is always growing, getting obsolete, getting corrupt but moments you lived will never fade away. Their memories will always last, even long after those moments have gone. Like they say, “Memories, even bittersweet ones, are better than nothing”.
Everything depends on upbringing. How you want your child to look at life or treat their own child in future is all in your hands. It is never too late to start living for and with your child rather than living for Facebook posts, Whatsapp status and DPs or people’s appreciation who in the end will really never even matter.
