“Beta, Ankita got 87 marks in mathematics and is planning to take up engineering as a career. Why don’t you meet her and understand her strategy to score good marks?”, said a mother to her daughter Radhika. “But mom, I love painting and I want to pursue a career in Creative Arts”, said Radhika to her mom. Mom expressed her anger and said, “You cannot earn as much an engineer does. You need to be practical. Arts is not going to get you a high-package. You cannot buy your dream car or house with such a meagre salary.” Radhika was disappointed to hear the reality of how her passion was being perceived. She became silent and went to her room. After crying for a while, she thought ‘So what if I cannot get the salary that helps me buy a car and house in the initial years of my career? I am pretty sure that I can save little little and wait for the right time to fulfill my dreams. I don’t wanna be a Maths topper or go to that boring engineering college. I want to do what I like and these practicalities of life cannot stop me from enjoying my life.’ Radhika got up from her bed and went to the kitchen where her mom was making her favourite soup. Seeing the yummy soup itself made Radhika change her aggressive tone into a lighter one. Radhika told her mom in a sweet and firm way that she will definitely meet Ankita not to know her study tricks but to share her knowledge and ideas of how pursuing a career in Creative Arts can change her life for the better. Seeing Radhika’s confidence, her mother was surprised and happy too that Radhika had made up her mind and got no career confusion.
Not everyone is lucky like Radhika to realize what they want to do in their lives. Many people take decisions related to their career or life partner based on their situations, perceptions and peer pressure. Some go with the flow come what may while some give up in the mid-way. The world is so huge that everyday there is some or the other new thing happening. Media provides ‘n’ number of options to people in all aspects of their lives. To choose one thing from the many, is not an easy task. Being wise and brave is the key. You cannot lead a life with no clarity and purpose. There will be comparisons, judgements, criticisms in whatever you do always. You do not live to please others and get into their good books. You need to have a clear vision and own up your mistakes and failures. Consider each failure as a stepping stone towards success. You need to believe in your abilities and move away from people who do not see how good enough you are. Always trying to prove something to someone to get their approval is a trauma response. Never be afraid to put across your views strongly. If you are right, people will understand. If you are wrong, you will understand at a later stage in your life that you were learning and growing. Don’t waste your life living according to other people’s dreams and ideologies. Focus on the present moment and live life to the fullest. Kya pata, Kal ho na ho!