What is 'hurdles'? The term, often used in plural, has two meanings, especially as a noun. It can either mean one of a series of upright frames over which athletes (and, oh, yes, horses, too) in a race must jump. It is known as "a hurdle(s) race" as human beings go, eh, rather, jump over the tough terrain.
As for horses, it is known as a steeplechase, more commonly known as a chase, and it is a race run over fences. Steeplechases are run over distances that range between two and four n half miles. The runners jump over a variety of obstacles that can include plain fences, water jumps or open ditches.
Yet this is not the meaning of the word that interests me. 'Hurdles' also means a problem or difficulty that must be overcome. I absolutely adore this sense. Want to know why? Because there ARE people who love to create hurdles in others' path, and I tend to often meet such specimens, and one too many!
Unfortunate are such people! Why? Well, it is always fun to be a bouncing ball. The more forcefully and harshly it is pushed down, still more vigorously it bounces back.
That is my image of myself when hurdles are consciously, knowingly and viciously created! How to deal with hurdles that are some crooked creepo's creation in your path? Sure, I, too, begin with despondency. Nay, for some time, there is even grovelling in self-pity.
Soon I snap out of it though. Do I power my way through? Nope! To begin with, physically I am not the muscles rip(pl)ing type with a substantial weight to throw about, an activity, especially metaphorically, I find quite crazy, anyways. Nor do I have mafia gangs (of well-wishers, dear!), fairy mothers, sugar daddies, friends in the 'right' places, properly fixing it all.
How to deal with situations n contexts then? I suppose, one should first find out the lie of the land. The term lie is used to mean both, falsehoods and the general scope. Let me give you a concrete example.
In the college, there is a special language lab which I have tried to make as language friendly as is possible. Others teaching non-language subjects insist on that very room. These grandees are the types with heavy weight supporters!
My lectures are in the post break session, that is, after 10.30 a.m. Literally, the whole college (except one room for another course) is lying vacant with e-boards, and all such amenities in place. In fact, in comparison , the language lab would pale.
The next time hence, as surely the contingency would arise, I am going to turn to my students, and say, "Sir/Madam seems to like our language lab. Let him/her use it. We shall go study in the beautiful heritage Main Building, where, may be, except for a room or two, all those big halls are awaiting us in their 'vacancy'. The rooms in the YMCOU building are vacant, too, till 12 noon."
Next i would turn to that 'special demands' person, and say, "Thanks for giving me this opportunity to use the lovely halls in the Main Building! Nice to teach/study a new language in an old building!"
Pratima@ Hurdles, consciously created, cleared!
Quote of the day: "Hurdles are no hurdles, if creatively looked at. In fact, they strengthen one in ways unknown." Source anonymous!
Word of the day: Obstacle. An obstacle is not merely a barricade or a barrier. It is consciously 'construct'ed to block one's way or to prevent or to hinder one's progress. Better treated with psychological fi(t)ness!
Let us learn grammar: Articles are used with nouns, and, at times, adjectives used as/replacing nouns. What are nouns? Simply put, they are the names of people (teacher, student), place(s) (city, town), things (table, chair) and emotions/abstractions (intelligence, kindness, maturity, wisdom). Tomorrow let us learn their major types so that we may understand the article usage better.
No comments:
Post a Comment