FOLLOW YOUR PASSION…
(The idea that changed my life.)
Vanathi B Nagarajan
I read from somewhere, “We have a fundamental responsibility to keep ourselves happy!” The words awoke a spark inside me. That was a sleepless night. A ray of thousands of questions haunted my sleep. Till then, I was in a ‘satisfied’ state believing that I make others (My family, of course!) happy. I made my dad happy by leaving out my desired job. I made my mom happy by getting married at the age of 24. I make dishes that my mother in law wants to be made. Moreover, in situations when I have freedom to decide, I prefer to make my husband’s favourite. Considering the situation of my family, I decided to stay where I don’t gain much exposure. Whenever I feel hurt or unhappy with the act of others, I consciously avoid expressing as it may in turn hurt them. At my work place, I try to make others happy thereby satisfying my own dreariness. A series of similar incidents can be quoted. But, this particular article made me question my own awareness. Though it might be a contrary response to the same, a single question lingered my mind repeatedly. It was, “Am I Happy? Really?” That night acquainted me with a shadowy dream of mine. The next morning, at the coffee table, I told my in laws – “I have planned to register for my Doctorate.” There spread an air of silence. Questions were shot at me from every possible direction. “But, Where?” “You will become tired after travelling such a long distance, wont you?” “How do you think can manage your studies beside your family?” “What if we have to spend a huge sum of money?” These were the few from many questions and from nowhere I got some guts to reply all of them because they were, in actual, the manifestation of my previous doubts. Finally, the family realized that they can do nothing to change my decision. When my parents heard my decision, they were, yes, happy! My father started dreaming about his daughter having the two lettered title fixed to her name, “Dr.” My father in law started to brag to his neighbours and friends, “She is going to have her doctorate!!” He planned to inscribe my name beside his son’s in the name board at the entrance. I could smell the difference in the ambiance at my home. I understood that achieving your desires and dreams will, in no way, make others unhappy. It will, in reality, enhance your respect amidst them. You can make others happy by accomplishing your aspirations too. Never get compromised with your desires for the sake of others. You cannot build your dreams on the foundation of sand. It is essential for every soul not only to express his/her desires but, certainly to achieve them. Your freedom is present within yourself and it is indeed imprudence that makes you to search it outside. You never get recognized or acknowledged by others unless your do it for yourself. It is more important for you to be a good self. You will fail to realize your full potential if you keep on compromising yourself. Moreover, compromise is something that should hail from both sides in a love. Be sure of not compromising your happiness for the sake of others. There should be no compromise when it comes to fulfillment of dreams. You should consciously fight for it. If you edge your aspiration only to what seems possible, then you may detach yourself from what you truly want. And all that is left is compromise. It is not prudent to bend too much that, on one point, you may miss your existence. Making others happy doesn’t mean that you should forgo your aspirations. Start your journey. Start your life. Eventually, I understood, “I can get compromised with an argument, for him! I can get compromised with a vacation plan for him! I can get compromised with my egotism and I can even get compromised with my attire, BUT NOT with my aspiration! ”