Unite for success. , Photo Credit: Getty Images
FFrom banter to camaraderie, the fabric of life is woven from moments where we learn to weave mischief, camaraderie, and personal growth.
As a young boy, I used to pull my siblings’ hair during domestic fights. When my antics caught my mother’s attention, she’d chase me with the switch, and I’d run away, sometimes straining my muscles. To make peace with a sibling who pulls her face, I’d have to do a lot of pulling to make her forget the fight. For example, sometimes, I had to fetch water from the well for him or weed the garden.
I used to enjoy playing pranks with my siblings. Once, when my little sister pulled cinnamon leaves to pack rice dumplings, she didn’t know she was in for a surprise. I took out a hot pepper and quietly put it in a dumpling bag before sealing it back up to cook the dumplings. Little did we know that this prank would tug at our hearts for many years to come. When he ate that suspicious dumpling, his taste buds pulled in a dance of wonder and warmth. Between his loud mouths, the joyous laughter that followed drew us closer to each other.
As I grew older, I decided it was time to call it quits and go my own way, leaving my younger siblings to have fun fighting and hair-pulling. I managed to get a huge benefit from fighting with my siblings at home, by developing my social skills. Despite our occasional disagreements, when faced with a common goal, we always manage to come together and work as a team.
Once, I blindfolded a brash boy at school. During a school event, I convinced her that the washroom door was jammed, encouraging her to yank it harder. He pulled on the door so hard that he almost fell backwards when it suddenly opened. It was also a reminder that, sometimes, a little awareness and caution can keep us from getting on our feet.
Once, during a weekend party, Compere dropped a groovy beat that got everyone on the dance floor grooving, and a young co-worker of mine couldn’t resist the urge to bust out his signature moves and steal the show. As soon as he arrived at the party, his irresistible charm came to the fore and he managed to attract hordes of fans with just a wink and a smile. Feeling like an instinctive orator, he decided to show off his strength by challenging a friend to a pull-up contest. Little did he know that his secret weapon was a hidden jar of peanut butter carried in his pocket, giving him the ultimate pull-up advantage. Laughter and applause echoed in the air, he gracefully pulled out the jar and announced, “Behold, the source of my incredible pulling power!”
Growing up, I understood the importance of holding onto the corridors of power. Individuals with a reputation for working behind the scenes can organize meetings with high-ranking officials and bring together influential stakeholders to support their objectives. Because of his mastery of the art of strategic maneuvering within a complex political landscape, his allure will only extend beyond influence. However, it is important that one aligns with their values, supporting their efforts while striving to create positive change and improve the lives of the people they represent.
Before we move on, let’s take a moment to appreciate the tangled web of drawn-out events we encounter every day. From brother-sister hair-pulling tussles to pranks and even tug-of-war in the corridors of power, it has been one wild ride. So, remember, whether you’re pulling a big prank or just laughing, embrace the joy of stretching and let the laughter get you through life’s funny twists and turns. When life pulls you in different directions, just bring out your sense of humor and enjoy the journey!
jclementselvaraj@gmail.com