For so long, I thought it was protection. But now, from the other side of the fence, I see that it was confinement.
CARRY YOUR OWN
Guess there are some experiences you carry with you no matter how much time passed. It wasn’t kind, wasn’t fair, maybe you didn’t deserve it. But it happened to you anyway and you just have to carry it. Now and then it overwhelms you and wrecks you. You still carry it, not knowing what to do with it. And hope it makes sense someday.
Daily challenge
What’s a chapter of your life you’d title “The Hard Years” — and what got you through it?
There are a lot, but if I had to pick a particular set of hard years, they were the two years immediately after my typical arranged Indian marriage. There, I said it.
There were a lot of struggles with a lot of people involved. If I start going into details I’m afraid I will not be able to stop.
Hence I focus on answering the question. What got me through it is patience, hope and interestingly, a good mind to quit. I got an amazing partner out of it, though. We had been through the whole fiasco together, and that brought us closer. I gained a strong sense of self and respected myself enough to set unapologetic boundaries.
Kindness
Have you seen the stunning gold rim of a cloud when the sun shines upon them at dusk? The absolutely beautiful, lucky side of it. But few see its other side, the darker more heavy one.
It’s just like how we see other people living their lives – the golden side. Oh there’s so much we won’t know of a person’s life. No matter how close you are. The world needs loads of kindness, to give and take.
Let’s give what little we can 🫰🏼
Books
A silent night in my balcony, a book and some tea to go with it. That’s my idea of peace. At the moment, this is a luxury too.
Happy people
Daily writing prompt
When you think of the word “successful,” who’s the first person that comes to mind and why?
To me, success isn’t about fame and money. People, most likely all adults, have tasted success at some point in their life. But I see truly successful people as those with a healthy mind, that radiates happiness and positivity. To me, they’ve mastered the truth of success.
A good neighbor
A genuine smile, a bright ‘Good morning’ (even if theirs wasn’t good) is all I ask. We are in common ground (literally!) and this simple gesture affirms the trust we share.
Drop everything and chase my passion
I never take risks. I guess I’ve been wired that way, from a very young age. I’ve always taken the safe route, right from my high school.
Let me give you some background. In my country there were three choices before you when you reach the 11th grade. Three groups namely Computer science, Math-Bio and Economics. Economics led to finance related jobs and computer science led to IT sector kind of jobs. Though my interest piqued toward Computer science, my parents wanted me to take the Math-Bio, so I could go on to become a doctor, an engineer or a scientist!
“You got more options!”, they would say. And understandably, it had the hardest lessons. I powered through it all and ended up working in a bank, without a financial background.
Clearly, that didn’t matter.
Now, I don’t blame my parents. It was me who went through with it. My passion from a very young age has been writing. I believe I’m creative. I sit down to write something in my diary, every chance I get. Even now I could drop it all and explore freelance writing. I am hesitant to, but I hope someday I’m brave enough to.
Out of place
My life has been all about changes and how I chose to adapt to it. Finding solid ground is a luxury, which I’m yet to have.
Let me tell you about my most recent change. Living in a foreign land, we try to build our comfort zone bit by bit. We cultivate friendships and relationships that take shape slow and strong. Then bam! came the job relocation that took me by surprise. Brand new city, brand new people. People who were already in a tight knit group and you were the new person on the sidelines. That’s when I felt out of place. I took lessons from my experience and prepared myself for the worst. But even then it is challenging. I try.
A change is always hard and of course we need good relationships around. But it’s good to always keep our priorities clear. Being nice and initiating new friendships is all good, but don’t forget to keep yourself happy even if it doesn’t go the way you expect. Take care of yourself, explore new places, destress and unwind doing things you love. Because in the end, you are all you have.
Early mornings (If I wake up, that is)
It is the time of day when the house is quiet, before members of the household wake up. A quiet cup of heavenly tea at that time is all the therapy I need.
