How do I define progress in my life
My Moth Storytelling experience
This is my Moth Storytelling experience; it was held in September 2018 in Denver, Colorado and I was selected to participate. The Moth is a non-profit organizations that provides a platform to narrate real-life stories. I believe this is one of the most precious reminiscences of my life; my introvert and shy spouse made it to the event and as an immigrant to America I was able to deliver the original story with my raw accent in front of more than 150 Americans.
I thought why not to pen down my real story narration in words and publish it on medium.
My steps towards progress began on the day when I was born in an Indian progressive family. We often hear exceptional stories about people who have struggled in their lives to achieve success and those stories often make history but this is a simple story of a simple girl. Yes, I had my own roller coaster moments but that’s how life is supposed to be!
The story began in a modern town in India where both my parents were working. My parents took equal responsibility for the household chores, their three kids, and work.
During the time when female foeticide was prevalent in India and a girl-child was treated as a burden to society, my parents made sure to provide equal education to my sister, brother and me.
As a child, I was socially conscious and the thoughts of my family’s mediocre economic strata kept nagging my mind; the peer pressure made me demanding that my parents had to put up with. Once I decided to don a heavy traditional Indian attire for my farewell party in high-school and I felt socially awkward to travel in public transport with it especially when all my school friends had their own luxury cars. I was so cranky that I demanded my father to buy a new car to drop me off to school. Looking back, that really feels stupid!
My first progressive moment
After I finished my engineering, I got a chance to work for a multinational company and soon got an opportunity to travel to the United Kingdom. This became the first progressive moment for me and my family.
A girl of 25 years who never sat in an airplane got a chance to sit in her first flight and that too business class sponsored by the company.
This was the first time I came out of my own cocoon. I understood the true essence of cultural diversity, interacted with people of different nationalities and ethnicities.
The foreign experience made me more mellowed down and shifted my perspective from society; the ‘what would they think’ syndrome.
In India, where I belong, every action is looked upon from the platform of society. You are constantly being judged, evaluated not only for your day-to-day actions like dressing, but also life decisions like marriage. After my UK experience, I became carefree and started chasing my dreams rather than worrying about the society.
My second progressive moment
I learnt Zumba, got a certification and became a part-time Zumba instructor with my full time career in IT. I was also an IT trainer and marathon runner; all at the same time.
My third progressive moment
Next, was my marriage to the man of my dreams. My spouse is a liberal gentleman and has given wings to my dreams. He believes in an uncluttered life with minimal materialistic possessions.
Though I haven’t shun any of my worldly pleasures; my husband is patient that I’ll do it at some point in my life.
The next progressive moment
A 9-day long hike to the Himalayas up to an elevation of 17000 feet. My spouse and I gave up on the first day and fought with our own mental and physical challenges but somehow managed to survive till the end.
The adversities uphill made us realize the value of basic amenities in our life that we take for granted many a times. Living in the urban cities, we always complain that we don’t have enough time for things; but during this trip, we used to wake up at 5 am and hike high altitudes in severe weather. This taught us time management and perseverance.
The serenity and peace in the Himalayan mountains was spellbinding and we were fortunate to experience the lifetime opportunity.
How do I define my progress
The day I learn anything new defines my progress.
Reading a new book and public speaking defines my progress. Eating from a chopstick and learning a new cuisine from a cookbook defines my progress. Weightlifting and learning aerial yoga defines my progress. Traveling around the beautiful world and appreciating its beauty defines my progress.
I believe that even if I inspire a single person in my life — it defines my progress.
My parents call me their favorite child amongst my two siblings but my husband calls me God’s favorite child.
