They say things happen when least expected. For years, I detested all those who uttered the cliche`. Until one day, the most of strange thing happened. Something that changed me in every sense. From being the lost, confused, and angry person I have now begun to feel proud of being 'me.'
It was yet, another day off from the hectic life of journalist. I was extremely upset after a massive argument with a former batchmate from college over an issue that had been lingering in my head for months. At the end of the argument, I was miserable and yearned to be dettached from the rest of the world. Inspite of making an attempt to talk it out with a few friends, I was unable to get our depression and my terrible state of mind. Until Brijesh called and had asked me for directions to my residence.
Forgive me for not introducing you the protagonist of this tale. Brijesh, an engineer from Bangalore, is not only a 'geek' but is a party-animal beyond imagination. A friend of a friend, this 24 year old was unique in his approach to life. Sure, he has problems which he does not dare discuss. But it was his live life King Size that caught my attention. Hailing from the quiet little town of Kollam, Kerala, Brijesh is perhaps those few men, who not believes in certain values, but has tried his hand at many things. Be it smoking, drinking (which he relishes even today), long bike rides with no safety gear etc. 'Just the person I needed to talk to,' I thought as he approached the entrance of my building.
Like most of my days off, I decided to meet up with a few friends. And as luck would have wanted, I met Brijesh and we spent alot of time together roaming around the city of Mumbai. At first I was sad, for my feared my friend would have to deal with a rather moody person after his hectic day at work. Strangely, he seemed extremely happy to go around the gullies of Dadar inspite of shirt soaked in perspiration. After a rather long walk, the two of us decided to enjoy the air-conditoned premises of a coffee shop. Brijesh then granted me permission to speak my heart out and thus, for the next 3 hours, he was witness to a rather embarrasing sight of verbal diarrohea. I began talking to him about the fight with my batchmate, the lousy world of corruption, how chocolate makes me hyperactive etc. I confess, he was forced to listen to me, though he did voice his opions from time to time.
After roaming around Mumbai for nearly 4 hours, Brijesh dared to ask me some rather shocking questions. 'Do you like yourself? Must you always need somebody to appreciate you?' he asked. I was astound. 'Not another fight, and stop complaining session,' I thought. 'Yes, I do like myself. But it just feels nice to listen to a compliment when you do something nice' I said. It was not long before we began talking about the importance of loving oneself. Brijesh replied-'I know it does hurt to know that you are never made to feel good about everything you do. And it does boost one's morale when you are complimented. But have you ever considered doing something for yourself? Be it dressing up in an attire you would have never adorned? Or probably going to be club and dancing till your feet become numb? You must do it. Who cares about the world? You have every right to do all that you would like to the way you want to.' Brijesh was not the only person to have told me about it. Many others have, including my brothers. But I guess in most occasions I had ruled out the option of listening to someone else's opinion. At that moment, it felt as if Brijesh had read my mind. It was not long before I began telling him about greatest desire to ride a bike or drive my own car across the borders of a state. All of a sudden I realised that it was my fear strange fear of the world that held me back. There were stories to tell. My life had no adventures, no excitement. Each time I was hurt, I felt alone for I never dared to try new things. 'I have never been to pub,' I told Brijesh. He smirked and then chose to ignore my comment. 'Sometime later,' he said. Honestly, it was this comment that has ensured that I never stop smiling. For I actually dared to spill out my heart's tiniest desire. 'Sure I do not drink. But one must know what such places feel like. After all, Mumbai is a free city,' I thought to myself.
As he escorted me back to my residence, he told me to never hesitate being myself even if it meant being my childish. So long as you are happy there is nothing that can stop you from doing or being what you are.
Ever since that very day, I no longer regret my past. I no longer hold any grudges towards those whom I considered unfair and dishonest. All of a sudden I felt confident about who I am. People often accused of me of being immature, child-like and unreasonable. While some others said my child-like quality was what they appreciate the most in me. All of a sudden I felt like dancing in the middle of the street(yes, the bollywood fever is contangious!). After all these days, I no longer feared CHANGE.
Sometimes change can be as scary as falling off a cliff. The thought of doing something unusual, unknown of the many consequences is bound make one feel hollow and doubtful about themselves. We are all raised to believe in the concepts of black and white. Although we talk of the grey areas of life, many a time we forget about them are often alternate between the modern and traditional approaches of life. Perhaps that is why we often witness or are victims of the world of the judgemental.
Then again Change is constant and there is precious little wean do about that. The challenge is however, to adapt to the world around us. And continue to cherish every moment we live. I guess, it is time for me to grab my gear and head to muddy terrians and experience those bumpy rides and smile about the bodyache :).
It was yet, another day off from the hectic life of journalist. I was extremely upset after a massive argument with a former batchmate from college over an issue that had been lingering in my head for months. At the end of the argument, I was miserable and yearned to be dettached from the rest of the world. Inspite of making an attempt to talk it out with a few friends, I was unable to get our depression and my terrible state of mind. Until Brijesh called and had asked me for directions to my residence.
Forgive me for not introducing you the protagonist of this tale. Brijesh, an engineer from Bangalore, is not only a 'geek' but is a party-animal beyond imagination. A friend of a friend, this 24 year old was unique in his approach to life. Sure, he has problems which he does not dare discuss. But it was his live life King Size that caught my attention. Hailing from the quiet little town of Kollam, Kerala, Brijesh is perhaps those few men, who not believes in certain values, but has tried his hand at many things. Be it smoking, drinking (which he relishes even today), long bike rides with no safety gear etc. 'Just the person I needed to talk to,' I thought as he approached the entrance of my building.
Like most of my days off, I decided to meet up with a few friends. And as luck would have wanted, I met Brijesh and we spent alot of time together roaming around the city of Mumbai. At first I was sad, for my feared my friend would have to deal with a rather moody person after his hectic day at work. Strangely, he seemed extremely happy to go around the gullies of Dadar inspite of shirt soaked in perspiration. After a rather long walk, the two of us decided to enjoy the air-conditoned premises of a coffee shop. Brijesh then granted me permission to speak my heart out and thus, for the next 3 hours, he was witness to a rather embarrasing sight of verbal diarrohea. I began talking to him about the fight with my batchmate, the lousy world of corruption, how chocolate makes me hyperactive etc. I confess, he was forced to listen to me, though he did voice his opions from time to time.
After roaming around Mumbai for nearly 4 hours, Brijesh dared to ask me some rather shocking questions. 'Do you like yourself? Must you always need somebody to appreciate you?' he asked. I was astound. 'Not another fight, and stop complaining session,' I thought. 'Yes, I do like myself. But it just feels nice to listen to a compliment when you do something nice' I said. It was not long before we began talking about the importance of loving oneself. Brijesh replied-'I know it does hurt to know that you are never made to feel good about everything you do. And it does boost one's morale when you are complimented. But have you ever considered doing something for yourself? Be it dressing up in an attire you would have never adorned? Or probably going to be club and dancing till your feet become numb? You must do it. Who cares about the world? You have every right to do all that you would like to the way you want to.' Brijesh was not the only person to have told me about it. Many others have, including my brothers. But I guess in most occasions I had ruled out the option of listening to someone else's opinion. At that moment, it felt as if Brijesh had read my mind. It was not long before I began telling him about greatest desire to ride a bike or drive my own car across the borders of a state. All of a sudden I realised that it was my fear strange fear of the world that held me back. There were stories to tell. My life had no adventures, no excitement. Each time I was hurt, I felt alone for I never dared to try new things. 'I have never been to pub,' I told Brijesh. He smirked and then chose to ignore my comment. 'Sometime later,' he said. Honestly, it was this comment that has ensured that I never stop smiling. For I actually dared to spill out my heart's tiniest desire. 'Sure I do not drink. But one must know what such places feel like. After all, Mumbai is a free city,' I thought to myself.
As he escorted me back to my residence, he told me to never hesitate being myself even if it meant being my childish. So long as you are happy there is nothing that can stop you from doing or being what you are.
Ever since that very day, I no longer regret my past. I no longer hold any grudges towards those whom I considered unfair and dishonest. All of a sudden I felt confident about who I am. People often accused of me of being immature, child-like and unreasonable. While some others said my child-like quality was what they appreciate the most in me. All of a sudden I felt like dancing in the middle of the street(yes, the bollywood fever is contangious!). After all these days, I no longer feared CHANGE.
Sometimes change can be as scary as falling off a cliff. The thought of doing something unusual, unknown of the many consequences is bound make one feel hollow and doubtful about themselves. We are all raised to believe in the concepts of black and white. Although we talk of the grey areas of life, many a time we forget about them are often alternate between the modern and traditional approaches of life. Perhaps that is why we often witness or are victims of the world of the judgemental.
Then again Change is constant and there is precious little wean do about that. The challenge is however, to adapt to the world around us. And continue to cherish every moment we live. I guess, it is time for me to grab my gear and head to muddy terrians and experience those bumpy rides and smile about the bodyache :).
