Change the story

Ruchira Darda

When you are not looking, the story comes to you. I am en route a family reunion. The whole experience of security check, boarding and deplaning is now layered with Covid-related do’s and dont’s. And like in the pre-Covid days, this journey was marked by an argument. Fortunately, not an argument that I was party too, but one that bought to light an emotion I was looking to validate.

You must have looked at an half full glass and wondered whether someone had had water from it. Ever considered that it may have been filled to that level intentionally?

Honestly, I was the one ‘who took my water’ kinda gal. Jumped to reaction, eager to solve the problem, stepping on a million toes.

With time comes the maturity to take a step back and see the view. See the other perspective. In my case clearly it has come slightly early *wink*.

On our flight, the attendant pressed the new regulations with all her might on the passengers and one passenger decided to question the rules in the similar spirit that of my 7 years old. As the debate ensued, I wondered what was triggering each of them to drag the matter on. Was it ego… Oh! Definitely ego was involved. Was it enthusiasm.. sure enough. I am sure there were other emotions too.. but what it lacked was perspective.

Their conversation lacked empathy for the attendant that had been in a PPE suit and was only doing her job, it lacked patience to say the same thing kindly and softly. Each triggering the other... the onslaught went on. Ending in ‘aaj ke bacche’ comment.

In my experience, I experience the other like I perceive them. When I am annoyed, they are the worst people in the world and when I find balance and am calm I receive only the best from another. Perspective is about stepping into another man’s shoes and realising why they feel the way they do. Cause usually from where they stand the view’s not that great either.

Author Contact: ruchira.darda@gmail.com

Instagram: ruchiradarda