To 22 years and counting..!

Throwback to a social media post a few months ago:

"I've been wounded, beaten, denied, insulted, pulled, pushed, ignored, groped, doubted, controlled, discouraged, lied to, cheated on and stared at... alone, depressed, frustrated, sick, angry, crying, lonely, confused, lost and mad.

I've had a fair share of pain, grief and struggle, but what makes it better is that I've also seen a good share of joy, love, companionship, friends, smiles, cuddles, kisses, loyalty, trust, care, attention, acceptance, good health, surprises, dreams, aspirations and more.

Maybe that's what life is about.. a healthy mix of happy and sad, to know and appreciate both. It doesn't matter where we stand, but how we look at things from where we stand. I'm most thankful for all those who have been with me through thick and thin, and encouraged me to get on with life no matter what.

Cheers to 22 colourful years into a hundred shades of emotions each..!"

"There Are No Accidents"

There is a reason why each person walks into your life. As Oogway would say, “there are no accidents”. Each person who bumps into you changes your life forever, however infinitesimally small the change is. He/she would give you the memories you would recount and laugh about a hundred times later, or teach you lessons that no school or college would help you with, or show you pain that would first break you and eventually make you stronger, would make you go through scores of emotions – some of them totally weird, or make you look at the same boring world in a different perspective. He/she would make you wonder if people like that even exist and will help you identify the people you are better off with or without, would provide you with knowledge that you wouldn’t possible get from any other source, or force you to step out of your comfort zone, only to experience things that might again change you as a person. He/she would help you get a glimpse of how difficult others’ lives are too, if only we stop thinking about ourselves for a minute. He/ she – a friend, a family member, a lover, a rival, a teacher, a somebody, or even a nobody for that matter – each of them will shape and sculpt you to become the person you are today.

Think about this: what would your life be like, if you hadn’t met you best friend at all, or if you weren’t born into the family you are in today, or if you chose to attend a different college..?

Let me take this moment of reflection to stop and thank every individual who has been a part of my life, for making me who I am today. I am not perfect; I do have a million flaws. Yet, I am me. Thank you for being that sculptor. And to the people I am yet to meet and greet, hello there and welcome! I hope we have a great ride ahead! :)