Life, as glorious as it is, is because of the challenges that we have faced and hence conquered (or, are conquering)! In fact, I firmly believe, the essence of what we are is because of the hardships that have landed in our laps and if we have allowed them to groom us, polish us, or in other words- ‘MAKE US’.
I come from middle-class, joint family of the capital of India- Delhi. With the pampering of grandparents and cocoon of safety and a million of memories that comes with a joint, middle-class household, there is conservative mind set and fear of competence that comes along. Growing up, I realised this cloudy lens is not only in my family, but in the world outside as well and, also in me. Raised by a liberal mother, and growing in a fast-pace, broad-minded metro city, I developed tendencies to question the norms.
It’s the smallest of the things like staying back in the school for the competitions to choosing to what I wear, from fearing to stand on a stage to managing to survive alone in a city, the hurdles came, and I crossed.
Let me share one such incident that had a profound impact on my life-
It was class 5. I have transferred from an average English medium school (where I was an all-rounder and an excellent student) to a premier English medium school. My first day of the class, and I asked my teacher- “What is the meaning of MEAL?”. Whole class erupted in laughter! After that, I was extensively conscious of my usage of English, still am, but no longer afraid! With hands and feet shaking, I would take part in class discussions with broken English, took part in many literary competitions, walked to the dice on every opportunity that came my way.
Last year, when I hosted a mega event, held across nine locations across the country in real time, in the presence of global leaders of my company, I had a feeling so elated that I could not possibly count which layer of cloud I was on.
Now, coming to the ‘how’ part of overcoming the challenges that came my way (mind you, they were much intense instances than the one I shared), I think it was more of my spirit that stood my back than anything else. I wanted something. The hunger is a mandate. That fuels your spirit when your mind, body and circumstances don’t. It is what that doesn’t let you give up and roots in you the quality of perseverance. But the most difficult step on the way of how is taking that first step outside your territory, when you are so unsure that don’t even know if you will find a ground to step on. But we always do.
Saying all that, I am still a learner and would keep updating my research with the next batch of hurdles that come my way. After all, there is much more to come. And, I am excited!
#NMIMSMumbai #ABGLPWooMeSeason2
