It is true that change is the only constant in the universe. But what is also true is wisdom collected by past generations does not change. It only adds on. Not only is there consistent quality to it, but it also the crucial cornerstone of all civilization. Today, the modern attitude is, ‘out with the old, in with the new’. We tend to rely on the knowledge of the enlightened, innovative younger generation and scorn the beacons of wisdom offered by our elders.
Take a moment to think.
Is that the right way to progress?
Won’t the present younger generation become the older generation of the future in time? Will everything that we are learning today become absolutely redundant tomorrow?
No. That is neither true nor logical.
Every generation has important lessons for future generations. The older one gets, the more wisdom one has to share. We would do ourselves a great favour by learning from the wealth of knowledge and insight that older generations have acquired through years of hard-won experiences. Since the month of March is about to come when women, their work, their voices, their talents are being celebrated, let us see what our grandmothers can teach us about the art of womanhood.
During their times, our grandmothers knew that they were not the preferred gender. Nevertheless, they used their life experiences, even calamity and critical situations, into opportunities to learn. Many of those lessons have a practical impact on our lives today. Let’s throw light on some of that learning.
Overcoming hardship and tragedy
Learning to deal with adversity is an invaluable lesson. The lessons provide techniques to tackle problems, give confidence and build hope. Learning from our grandmoms about how they did it would tell us how we should handle similar situations.
Significance of family love
Love is a universal quality that binds people and gives a sense of belonging. Linking one generation with another with love is the most powerful connect between generations. Eventually, what really matters in life is health, happiness, and family. Love generated within a family becomes our anchor and rock during times of misfortune. To nurture this family love, as our grandmothers did, would only make us stronger.
Parenting
I do not think anything is more useful to a new mother struggling with post-partum woes than a grandmother’s parenting advice. Though everyone has their own formula of parenting, it is the collective wisdom of our parents and grandparents on which it is based. Our grandmother’s stories of how they bought up kids guide us in how we must approach parenting. And some of these methods are ageless and can be passed from generation to generation.
Creating a home of a house
I still remember the simple ways in which my grandmother transformed her small house into a welcoming home for our yearly visits. The hand-crocheted doily on the dining table, a few seasonal flowers in a pottery bowl and the aroma of biriyani floating from the kitchen wrapped us in her loving warmth. Today, we tend to make our homes into showpieces. But a home is personal space, and it should feel that way…not cut out of a catalogue.
To make do.
Our grandmoms did not have ready-to-wear/eat/use stuff available on Amazon nor the money to buy if it was. So they improvised. Old bedsheets could become just about anything on a sewing machine. Assortments of vegetables would make a delicious mish-mash dish. They knitted scarves and socks, made quilts and children’s fancy dress costumes. Our grandmothers were resourceful and crafty. Why can’t we be the same?
The best food
Today, there is a daily fad diet or workout challenge to try out. Consequently, we have complex health, fitness and nutrition issues. My grandmother was always fit and trim and she never took a single diet all her life. Like other women of her times, she and her family enjoyed simple home-cooked meals. Her exercise would be brisk walks, bike rides or caring for children, which is a good workout in itself. Her routine built a resilient lifestyle that concurred with the climate, crop cycle and regional cuisine. She had boundless creativity in her cooking. Take dal or lentils. She would transform it to anything from papad to dessert and everything in between.
I have mentioned only a few ways we can learn from our grandmothers. The truth there are innumerable ways…from how to be always equipped to host sudden guests… to being a classy dresser everyday as if you were going to run into your worst enemy or your future spouse…to be fully aware of the history of genetic diseases in the family.
They say that the wise walk lightly. Our grandmothers did just that.
They were not in awe of themselves or the world. After all, our grandmothers experienced first-hand many things that we have only learned about in a history class.
Our grandmothers’ collective knowledge is one constant that does not change. It is up to us to access it and give it the value it deserves. Whether it is health, economy, environment, fortitude or simple everyday wisdom, we shall lose a great deal if we undervalue this priceless gift of acumen and enlightenment.
Let us raise a toast to the Universal Woman…our Grandmom!
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