The Year 2024 buckled me up to decipher the new chapters of my life and I am gazing expectantly at the upcoming year, which clearly is the fruit of the spade work I have laid in the past year. While jotting down my narration of the past year, a glint of hope about the future flickers across my face that waits to unfold itself.
Looking back on the past year, I am truly glad to have explored and experimented with my passion and dreams. Like a clear sky reclaiming its horizon from a menacing bank of stormy clouds, I have hustled through challenges by embracing the opportunities that had come my way, to make a meaningful impact in my professional and creative pursuits, by means of which I expanded my horizon as a writer, mentor, and raconteur.
Harboring passion without a medium to express it is like a raw, uncooked vegetable; only when it is prepared and savored does it fulfill its true purpose. Similarly, a PURPOSE is realized only by channeling PERSEVERANCE into PASSION. As the adage goes, “Opportunities are spread everywhere, and it’s up to the beholder to seize them”, I am about to share how the universe led me to walkways adorned with opportunities.
The Odyssey of Becoming a Mentor:
As a kid, I remember myself enacting as a tutor mentoring students virtually- a reflection of how my passion for teaching took its root.
As part of our profession, we are often a part of various WhatsApp groups -be it alumni networks, career update forums, or platforms addressing challenges in our daily clinical practices. One day, while surfing through one such group, I came across an advertisement calling for online teaching faculty. The lack of detailed qualifications in the advertisement led me to misinterpret it, making me believe I was eligible. Applicants were required to submit their resumes to the chief member of the selection committee, who is a formidable figure in my field of science and also prepare a sample of five-minute teaching video.
When I reached out to him with a touch of trepidation, he kindly apologized for the incomplete information in the advertisement and politely rejected my profile. As an undergraduate and postgraduate, I grew up studying the clinical books he had authored and by admiring his exceptional mentoring skills. My initial excitement to join him in the same stream was quickly dinged. However, being someone who rarely dwells on setbacks, I chose not to let this discourage me.
A week later, as the harvest of my waiting, I received an unexpected call from the same team, inviting me to be a part of their teaching program. This unexpected turn of events fanned the fire inside me. With renewed enthusiasm, I began preparing for my first online class- my maiden platform to showcase my ability to narrate complex topics in an engaging and comprehensible manner. To my delight, the session went exceptionally well enough to be appreciated by the chief head of the selection committee. Within another few days, I was again invited to conduct a YouTube live session discussing a particular topic. Subsequently, I was called on to sign an agreement to become a permanent faculty member of their program.
My ardent interest had led me to join his team of handpicked faculties. Never in my wildest dreams did I imagine that I would one day have the privilege of joining him in the same domain. My recognition as an online teaching faculty in association with his prestigious teaching program marks the major leap forward in my professional career in 2024. It’s all about seizing that initial opportunity and turning it into a defining opus of my identity.
A Love for Reading Transformed into a Passion for Writing:
My journey into writing began as an extension of my love for reading, where the stories and ideas I absorbed from my readings found their way into my own words. This newfound artistic hobby allowed me to see myself as a maverick. What started as a simple pastime changed into something much more meaningful.
Over the years, I discovered an unparalleled joy of delving into the enchanting realms of Tamil and English literature through bilingual reading. The jubilation of transforming my thoughts into writing inspired me to enter a writing contest, that encouraged me to work with a blend of perseverance and creativity. The contest invited participants to review a movie, book, or any product. As an voracious reader, I naturally chose to review a book. It was a serendipitous moment when I saw my essay as a published article, marking the beginning of my recognition as a budding author. This experience solidified my belief that writing is not just a hobby but a powerful means of expression.
Unravelling the Music within Me:
Science is my professional streak, yet I often gravitate towards the world of arts. However, being raised by parents who emphasized orthodox education, I couldn’t nurture the seeds of my artistic world earlier in life. With the financial support that my profession has provided, I mustered up the strength to rekindle the long-suppressed passions within me.
Like Alice in Wonderland, I immersed myself in a fantasy world that I never believed could come true, but that reflected deeply in my life since childhood. I imagined myself as Lord Krishna’s beloved Radha, going to great lengths such as fasting and ardently following the teachings of the Bhagavad Gita, being fearfully pious, striving to embody the grace of a Goddess as depicted in an umpteen number of television shows. I also used to picture myself playing veena before Goddess Saraswati, the deity of arts and education, praying fervently for her blessings to master many art forms. In another reverie, I stood before a throng of spectators awaiting my vocal performance and to plummet into my charismatic voice.
My steadfast determination to fulfill my dreams, despite my age and profession, the universe conspired me to witness the glimpses of my fantasies materialize. I learned to play veena and was honored with an opportunity to perform at the Golden Narayani Temple in Vellore, the memory which I bristle at. I also had the privilege of offering a vocal tribute to Lord Ayyappa—son of Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu, as per Hindu Puranas, at a temple in my locality.
It was a defining moment that affirmed the importance of pursuing one’s choices, even in the face of skepticism. It is through such moments we discover extra-ordinary rewards that can be gleaned from embracing our unique path. And thus, my journey of transforming dreams into reality continues.
Harnessed by Life: Reflections on Personal Transformation
Finally, reflecting on my personal experiences with my family, one precious memory with my elder sister stands out—a moment that taught me the importance of independence and self-reliance as the driving forces to navigate the journey called life. My beloved elder sister, who personifies the roles of a mother, guide, advisor, and my go-to therapist, has grown alongside me. She visits home occasionally due to her commitments as a research scholar and her inherently workaholic nature.
On one such visit, she faced challenges in booking her return ticket back to her workplace. Despite this, she didn’t cancel her trip, knowing how eagerly I and the rest of the family were awaiting her arrival. Being the eldest, she often shoulders immense pressure silently, rarely sharing her struggles. However, through my persistence and willingness to connect, she has slowly begun to open up to me, even if not entirely. As a result, I had a few opportunities to spectate how she manages her life with a detached poise and a deep understanding of its intricacies.
This particular incidence revealed her remarkable ability on how to live life on one’s own terms—making timely decisions, finding alternative solutions, and always having backup plans (Plan A, Plan B, and so on). Her determination to book a return ticket amidst all odds, waking up early, traveling alone to unfamiliar places at inconvenient hours, and ultimately succeeding, deeply inspired me. It instilled in me a newfound confidence and I was also racked by a guilt for letting her go through the tussles of her childhood all by herself.
I began to absorb her maturity, that gradually transformed my approach toward myself and others. This drift profoundly impacted my perception of the world, my life and relationships.
Conclusion:
In retrospect I realize that the epic choices we make at a right time will turn out to be a lifetime reward called the EXPERIENCE. Thus, the Year 2024 for me will serve as undeniable evidence as to how our lives are being painted by the influence of our subconscious mind that is unbeknownst to us.
By: VIKASHINI
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