Monday, January 1, 2018

First Blog Post of 2018 – “Tonic” for “Losers” – Self-Consolation for the Unappreciated

Are you a “Loser”...?

Here is some “Tonic” for you...

TONIC FOR “LOSERS
Self-Consolation for Losers Failures and the Unappreciated
Philosophical Musings of a Veteran Loser” 
By
VIKRAM KARVE

I am a Loser”. 

Are you a “Loser”...?

Do you feel frustrated because no one appreciates you...? 

Creative Persons are most vulnerable to frustration because of non-appreciation.

Yes – creative individuals like artists, playwrights, movie makers, sculptors, musicians, singers, creative writers are most sensitive to frustration due to non-appreciation of the work – because every creative person wants appreciation and recognition for their creative works.

Most Bloggers are Creative Persons – most Bloggers are Creative Writers – and all creative persons want their creative work to be appreciated.


Likewise – Bloggers want their Blogs to be read – and appreciated.

But – sometimes this does not happen – and – even your best blog posts go unappreciated. 

What do you do when you feel frustrated because no one appreciates your achievements...?

You console yourself.

Yes  self consolation is the best self help.

Here is some Self-Comforting Tonic for unappreciated Losers and Failures 

(I wrote this self-help article for myself – and for fellow creative writers and bloggers – but I am sure the concept will be relevant to all persons – especially for competitive children and their ambitious parents) 

TONIC FOR THE UNAPPRECIATED – Self Help bVikram Karve

All persons  at some point in their lives  experience frustration blues

This is more so if you are engaged in some creative activity. 

There are many occasions when people just do not appreciate your work. 

Even if people criticize you and do not appreciate your creative efforts – you must not get disheartened  and – you must never stop doing what you want to do. 

The best way is to console yourself and “Bash on Regardless – and continue to do whatever you are doing with renewed vigour and zeal.

Let me tell you one effective way to drive away frustration blues.

When I was in school  our Literature Teacher would often shout at us:

“I Am Casting Pearls Before Swine...”

I did not quite understand her anguish then.

But now  I can fully empathize with her  when I too sometimes feel the same way when my creative writing is not appreciated.

The idiom 

CAST PEARLS BEFORE SWINE... 

means 

“Toffer something good to somebody who cannot appreciate the value of it...

Yes  if you “cast pearls before swine  you “offer something of value to someone who does not appreciate it and does not understand the value of what you are offering him 

(the word swine is used metaphorically. Of course – you know  that swine means “pig)

Suppose you are an artist  a painter. 

You show your painting to a person who knows nothing about art – a person who is not interested in the fine things of life.

Or  say you are a creative writer.

And  you show your fiction – or your poetry  to someone who is not interested in literature. 

Or – you do a makeover – you titivate and beautify yourself – and you make yourself beautiful – for someone who does not appreciate beauty.

Well  in such cases: 

“You are casting your pearls before swine...” 

Why are you trying to seek appreciation from persons who cannot appreciate you and your work – because – they have no knowledge of your art – or they have no interest in you...?

I was wondering  how do you translate this phrase “I AM CASTING PEARLS BEFORE SWINE” into Hindi...?

I suddenly remembered a blog post I had written a few years ago titled:

अन्धो के शहर में आइने बेच रहा हूँ  

I think this Hindi Phrase metaphorically expresses the same sentiment as the English Idiom:

I AM CASTING PEARLS BEFORE SWINE

Dear Fellow Writer and Blogger – do you know how I came across this equivalent metaphor in Hindi – this piece of wisdom:

SELLING “MIRRORS TO THE “BLIND

Let me tell you how I came across this Hindi idiom:

अन्धो के शहर में आइने बेच रहा हूँ  

Translated into English  this means:

I AM SELLING MIRRORS IN THE CITY OF THE BLIND

Here is the story how I heard witty wisdom for the first time.

A few years ago  one evening while surfing TV channels  I watched a program on Zee Classic Television Channel called Classic Legends hosted by Javed Akhtar.

The episode was based on the life of the famous poet and lyricist Majrooh Sultanpuri.

Javed Akhtar narrated an incident and a quote शेर ) by Majrooh Sultanpuri. 

I will never forget this quote. 

The incident he narrated was as follows.

Javed Akhtar met Majrooh Sultanpuri in the evening of his life.

At that time  Majrooh Sultanpuri had passed his peak of popularity  and he was no longer as much in demand as a poet as in his earlier days  and new lyricists were ruling the roost in the film industry.

Javed Akhtar asked the famous poet Majrooh Sultanpuri how he was doing.

Majrooh Sultanpuri replied:

मैं अन्धो के शहर में आइने बेच रहा हूँ 

which roughly translated means:

I AM SELLING MIRRORS IN THE CITY OF THE BLIND 

(Though Javed Akhtar attributed this quote to Majrooh – I saw on the internet that this quote is attributed to Kabir – but – what matters more – is the meaning of the words – rather than who said it) 

मैं अन्धो के शहर में आइने बेच रहा हूँ 

I AM SELLING MIRRORS IN THE CITY OF THE BLIND

This quote is still perambulating in my mind.
The more I delve on it  – the more I realize how profound these words are – especially for a creative writer whose work is not appreciated.
So – now  whenever my novel manuscript is returned by a publisher with a rejection letter  or  if readers ignore my blog – or  whenever I feel unappreciated  I am going to console myself with the words:

 मैं अन्धो के शहर में आइने बेच रहा हूँ  

I AM SELLING MIRRORS IN THE CITY OF THE BLIND

And then  I am going to redouble my efforts  and bash on regardless.

Isnt this a nice philosophy for creative persons and artists to adopt  rather than get frustrated when their work is not appreciated...? 

In fact – everyone can self-console themselves by this philsophical quote – whenever they feel unappreciated in any situation – if you are not given your due recognition at work – or – in relationships – where your partner does not appreciate you.

Isnt it much better to drive away your frustration blues by a philosophical approach to life  rather than by indulging self-pity, getting depressed and doing harmful things like drowning your sorrows in drink...? 

So  whenever you feel frustrated that your efforts are not being appreciated – you must ask yourself:

“Are you casting your pearls before swine...?” 

And after that – you should continue your efforts with redoubled vigour and enthusiasm. 

Do not worry whether others appreciate your work or not

Do not crave for external appreciation

Do self-appreciation.

And – Bash on Regardless.

It is best to work for your own satisfaction.

Adopt this philosophy of life whenever someone does not appreciate you or your work  and say to yourself:

मैं अन्धो के शहर में आइने बेच रहा हूँ 

I AM SELLING MIRRORS IN THE CITY OF THE BLIND 

(...I AM CASTING PEARLS BEFORE SWINE...)

Is there any point in “casting pearls before swine...?

What is the use of selling mirrors in the city of the blind...?

Think about it.

Stop seeking appreciation and recognition from others. 

Maybe  “you are selling mirrors in the city of the blind... 

Or – maybe – “you are casting pearls before swine...” 

Just don’t bother for external appreciation.

Instead – you must appreciate yourself. 

Yes – do self-appreciation – be your own hero.

If you do this – even of you are a loser in the eyes of the world – you will be a “winner” in your own eyes.

VIKRAM KARVE
Copyright © Vikram Karve 
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Disclaimer:
1. This article is a spoof, just for fun and humor, no offence is meant to anyone, so take it with a pinch of salt and have a laugh. The word “blind” is used in a metaphorical sense – and there is absolutely no disrespect towards the visually impaired.
2. All Stories in this Blog are a work of fiction. Events, Places, Settings and Incidents narrated in the stories are a figment of my imagination. The characters do not exist and are purely imaginary. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.

Copyright Notice:
No part of this Blog may be reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical including photocopying or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the Blog Author Vikram Karve who holds the copyright.

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