I started my Journey around Dassera. Here, Dassera is believed to be the day when positivity took over negativity. It is also a day when you cross boundaries. I was leaving my known zone and took a leap toward the unknown. I went to search something called happiness. I had two of my best friends with me--faith and patience. Still everything was new, uncertain, and honestly, a bit scary.
During my travel, I found many bits and pieces of happiness scattered around me. I was astonished to find them. I wanted them in my daily life. These wanderings taught me more about myself than anything I had ever done. It also taught me to make quick decisions. More than anything, it taught me to believe in myself and my capabilities. It taught me that there would be positive things in the midst of negative ones. It's what I choose to see, pick up, and remember that would make a difference. The happiness would always be scattered in the path along with sadness, hardships, brutality, and so on. The same goes for people. I really met many people. I remember the people who were so caring, helpful, believing, positive, and simply great. Looking back carefully, I definitely met some people who were not good. However, their memories hardly ever cross my mind. My mind seems to cherish the hospitality more.
Then, there are people who showed more interest in my purpose behind the journey. I had left my job which was paying me good. I was searching for a work that would be me and give me happiness, content, and peace. This is difficult to explain. I explained this to many people like fellow travelers, friends, family, co-workers, volunteers at Wall Art Festival, students, bellboys. Basically, I explained it to all who really wanted to know and all who cared enough to endure my weird explanation. I even found some interviewers who were keen. The variety of reactions I received were interesting. From nonchalance to awe and from utter disbelief to complete support. I was called crazy as people believed that there was nothing called happiness in work. I was called bold and courageous as I was leaving something that was secure. Some people believed and encouraged me beyond expectation.
Along with few of my friends, these people included some of the people I met while I was traveling and the Wall Art Festival volunteers. Even when I was uncertain about my future, they gave me hope and reassured me.
I went for interviews and I would try and find if the role is what I want to do. Having some experience and building on the same is easier than trying hard to figure out what one wants to do. Never did I feel a strong pull toward a particular profile.
Waiting and keeping faith is not as easy as it sounds. My battle was not only finding what I want to do but also not losing myself in the process. I had to again choose what I would compromise on. There are so many things happening around you, so many things people say and do that losing hope is question of a moment. I had my moments. I had one of my closest friend telling me to give money priority. I could see doubt on all the people in my family. This wasn't encouraging in particular. Indeed there were people who constantly told me to keep trying.
It was a morning when I was returning home after Wall Art Festival was over that I realized what I wanted. I was crying sad tears for separating with the Wall Art Festival team and happy tears as I had finally realized my goal, at least for the time being.
So, today, I want to thank everybody who was there for me in some way or the other.
It is the start of the Marathi (Maharashtra) new year. I want to believe that you all would always be there with me.
Thank you so much to all for everything.
