Awaken The Durga In You

Shikha was numb!! She had never imagined that this day would happen in her glorious career. She stood motionless trying to assimilate the news that her reporting manager Mr. Sanyal had just broken to her. Around the pandemic time, the company was downsizing and her services were no longer required. Mr. Sanyal tried to weave in empathy while telling her this but nothing could mellow the impact. Shikha had dedicated so many years of her life to her career, she left no stone unturned to not just meet but surpass targets and expectations. Shikha lived in the misnomer that her designation of the L & OD Head was her identity. She was so consumed by this that this sudden news felt like a piercing pain inside which felt like someone sucked out her soul. Unable to bear the pain, she screamed within and tears rolled down her eyes like torrential rain. Mr. Sanyal tried to console her but she left his office in haste to reach her cabin. She was given 2hrs only..she looked at the trophies on the console and the pictures of all her achievements on the wall. She felt cheated and disappointed. What a befitting reward she had received for her hard work, diligence, and dedication!!

As Shikha collected her personal belongings from her cabin, she did not have the heart to even say goodbye to her team or colleagues and rushed down to her car. As she sat at the wheels, she could no longer control her pain and sobbed in silence. She had to keep a strong face in front of others as she was in a senior position. On her way back home the entire 20 years of her corporate life flashed in front of her eyes like a showreel. She had compromised on her time at home and with her daughter to give her work more than 100%. She allowed the work stress to manifest in the form of anger or frustration on her lovely daughter Diva. She felt very guilty and even more disappointed with herself.

The ever-smiling Shikha was losing her smile and chirpy demeanor now. Her husband stood like a rock beside her in this rough patch and allowed her time to heal. But despite their support and encouragement, Shikha felt that she was slowly slipping and feeling torn and lost inside. It felt like the weight of a thousand kilos on her chest. Shikha thought of Diva who looked up to her as a role model. Diva always referred to her mother as ‘Maa Durga’ who despite not having ten arms was adept at multitasking and always had a solution to all problems. How could Shikha then throw in the towel, she could not fail her daughter and this pushed her out of her self-imposed exile. She drew strength from her loved ones and their hope in her. She made a promise to never let go like goddess Shakti and went all out to help others during this tough time. How much you know doesn't matter, what matters is what she decided to do with what she already knew. She plunged into webinars and sessions to spread hope and happiness while grappling with the odds of the pandemic, home chores, husband's ailment which led to 2 surgeries, attending to families responsibilities and daughter's studies while dealing with this inner storm. It was like riding a bicycle while manufacturing it! 

Shikha used meditation to regain her fortitude and pull herself out of this phase. When she heard of so many breadwinners losing their job and being forced to return to their hometowns, she started counting her blessings. She knew that she was blessed to have a beautiful cozy home, a loving family, and food on her plate.

Moment to moment struggles and healing through the love and support that poured into her life, helped her to reclaim herself and rise above her circumstances. She chose a path less traversed, determined to hold her head high and operate independently of anyone's judgment or expectations. She pursued her inner calling and passion and embraced life with all its odds and blessings. 

 The pandemic disrupted lives like never before, people had lost their loved ones, jobs, and homes. Something inside Shikha was stirred she realized that she was more than her designation and chose the quest for ‘Self’ over the job quest.

Finding herself and her real purpose was now her calling. As the saying goes ‘ What your heart seeks, seeks you back’, Shikha met some guardian angels who helped her get clarity on the way ahead. Shikha was debating between creating an impact OR stabilizing the income when she was guided to replace the OR with AND. This was the turning point for Shikha and she felt a surge of strength and power within her. She now knew what her calling was and decided to follow her heart to make a difference in the lives of others. Shikha had truly awakened the Durga within….

When the going gets tough, the tough get going. All answers and solutions are within you, look inside, draw from the power within and awaken the Shakti in you.