Life beyond books

You may never know, what you are capable of until you give it a try. Today, right now, at this very moment, there are people enduring a tremendous amount of strife. Many of us have tried our hardest to figure out the purpose of human life. Many of us have already spent the major span of our life; dissatisfied, in search of a purpose.

Life is not a package that orchestrates studies, good grades, securing our job, being tied in wedlock, bear and rear our offspring….

Becoming a family person or a lone traveller……

A business tycoon or a scientist…..

A scholar or an artist…..

A country dweller or voyager….

Each day starts to blend together and we begin to feel like we’re living the same day over and over again. Living on the hamster wheel or running on a treadmill because….

Most of us connect the purpose of life with ‘vocation’ only. Like minting machines, we do exist but do not survive, do not live a life.

Humans are incredible creatures. It is utterly wrong to train generation Z and alpha within the four walls of the classroom and perpetuating the mundane practice of abstract ideas. That too, after consuming the one-third and the best part of their lives fails to ensure survival. A healthy, happy and productive life becomes a mirage. Knowledge keeps slipping.  Wealth is earned at the cost of health and it is spent to restore robust health in the second innings because we have skewed priorities.

If the classroom is the canvas and books are the paint, then undoubtedly we are going to paint a blurry bleak picture of the future. There is no denying the fact that education plays a crucial role in moulding our personality but we have to confess that the detrimental practice of hammering a child into shape is our biggest mistake. We expect a child to magically wake up and know what to do. What we are missing cannot be known with our minds only in the books. 

It requires undying desire, fullest efforts and hands-on aspect of learning. We should not underestimate the importance of taking initiative, courage and persistence. The world Is too big; life has much to offer. There is so much to explore and experience beyond black and white; beyond right and wrong.

Life beyond books comprises imagination, creativity, problem-solving, independent thinking and so on, endowed with sanity and sensibility. To see and appreciate the world in many colours. To respect the differences, to nurture sympathy, empathy, tolerance and universal brotherhood as benchmarks. The physiological, social, emotional and mental growth of a human being call for exposure.

The curriculum is pivotal but static. For the learners; assemblies, get-togethers, functions, celebrations, exhibitions, tours and excursions, sports and games are indispensable.

Family and friends, neighbours and acquaintances, peers and playmates, plants and animals contribute a lot. 

Only a few students are able to stick to the assigned task in the classroom and strive hard. In fact, they brush the confusions and discomfort under the carpet. Many others keep on struggling to motivate themselves to put their energy into the task. The sheer absence of concrete experiences to relate with snatches away the joy of learning. Students must venture out and gain self-awareness. ‘Their mind has to be consulted in their own growth’ learning must happen on its own…. simple as that.

Step out, reach out, observe, listen and most importantly – respond!