Little girl

 

As I look into the mirror

A little girl stares back at me

Her eyes twinkling eyes shining so bright

Wind is blowing her hair nice and free

Running free like a child she makes a pretty sight

Her lips twitched into a naughty smile

Radiant face brimming with life

Her eyes shine with unfulfilled dreams

No worries no fear no signs of strife

I am mesmerized by her innocence

I want to hold her back and ask her so many questions

But in a blink of eye she goes away

I really admire her spirit- so joyful and free as i remember her wistfully

Suddenly I realize that she is none other than “younger me”

 

 

Gossip, Gushup and Girls

No better therapy than a heartfelt chat with your girlfriends. After planning for one whole year, we actual decided to catch up. Of course I wasn’t sure it would happen till it actually happened. A lovely Sunday afternoon spent on 7 hours of non-stop chit chatting and light banter. I came back all refreshed with energy of a teenager suddenly- I was feeling alive and invigorated.

Set me wondering what was so special about yesterday. What struck me was that somewhere in my day to day routine I get so wrapped around in playing different roles- role of a mother, role of a wife, role of an entrepreneur I forget all about the little girl inside me. This little girl wants to enjoy, giggle at silly nothings, eat without worrying about weight- she wants to be free for a short time. And yesterday’s meeting with my girl friends unlocked and set that little girl free.

None of us discussed our problems, our issues – instead we discussed all trivia. We reminisced about our college days and just gossiped to our hearts content. This is exactly the kind of break I needed from routine.

I have promised myself that wherever I am and however busy or stressful my life gets- I will take time out to meet my girl friends every once in a while. It might be brief meeting but I think I owe it to the little girl still trapped somewhere inside me to spend time on girls, gossip and gupshup.

Life can get hard and stressful every once in a while but it is these small moments which make you cherish life.

“Let’s swear each with our pinky
We’ll be the best of friends
Until we are old and wrinkly!”

 

 

Stepping out in the world!!!

As I sat in the plane ready to take off it all started to sink in finally. The enormity of my decision dawned on me. Few months ago when I gave an interview for a job in Dubai just for fun, little did I know that my life would change so drastically in a matter of couple months.

As the youngest member in the family I have always led a very protected life. Having a sibling who was 8 years older to me I was totally cocooned against all evil in this world. My only experience of being alone were the school picnics to Aarey Milk Colony or Fantasy Land. In my 25 years of existence I had never had an opportunity to travel or stay alone. I know sounds impossible but then that was me. Needless to say I was always thrilled at the idea of staying in a hostel or being alone. I envied all my b- school friends who lived in the hostel away from family. They always seemed to be having fun and parties.

So when  a consultant called me with an opportunity to work in Dubai, I grabbed it with eagerness and enthusiasm which couldn’t be compared. Getting the offer letter was the easier part of the battle, convincing my family was the toughest thing I have ever done (so i thought back then….of course being a parent now my definition of tough things has changed). But finally I was off…to limitless possibilities, freedom. I was super excited and time flew rapidly all in flurry of activities. I barely got time to think- visa process, shopping, winding off my work here there were list of endless activities which needed to be done.

But as I sat in the plane myriad of thoughts were whizzing in my head. For the first time in life I was going to be all alone. I knew no one in Dubai and had no one to call on in case of any trouble.I was sorely missing my family – my mom and dad and my sister. I wanted to run back to them. Of course there was excitement as well – of a new life and new adventure which awaited me but there was underlying sense of fear and anxiety.

Today when I look back I am glad I embarked on that adventure. Dubai will always be special to me- its a city which gave me a lot- lot of friends, lot of learnings and my husband. Working and living in Dubai was the best thing that could have happened to me. It made me resilient and independent. Its a city which taught me to love new adventures. Its a city which made a woman out of this girl.

 

Freedom the other side of fear!!!

“To escape fear you have to go through it, not around it.”
― Richie Norton

I was sitting at the edge of the swimming pool watching my husband  enjoying with my son and daughter. I wanted to jump in and join in all the fun they seemed to be having but water has always terrified me. So I sat by the edge of the pool with my legs dipped in water feeling morose. After their swim my son came up to me and asked me- Mom why didn’t you join us?  We had such a great time. I answered-” Darling mommy is scared to jump in. She doesn’t know swimming. And he so innocently said- Why don’t you learn swimming mommy? That way you never have to be afraid anymore.

I have always been fascinated by people who could swim like fish. Every time I went for beach vacations I looked enviously at people who just jumped in the water and swam carefree and joyously for hours together. But somehow I was never been able to overcome my fear of water and learn swimming. For years I kept making excuses to avoid learning swimming.

His statement was an eye opener. My son- a 5 year old had taught me an important lesson that day. I take my fear head on and face it- that way I will never feel afraid.

Today as I came out after a nice one hour swim with my son I am glad I decided to face my fears. I feel a renewed sense of confidence knowing that no fear is greater than my will power to overcome it.

As kids we are so fearless but somehow in the process of growing up we let our natural confidence and curiosity be curbed by fears. I was able to over come at least one of my fears. What about you? Are you ready for the challenge?