Declutter - Make Room For The New

‘‘Declutter your mind of these self-limiting beliefs Aru Maasi. Stop being overly critical of yourself, you really need to stack away these stereotypes that you have cultivated in your mind. You need to take up this offer as a challenge and pick up your brushes’’ said Anushka. An interior designer by profession Anushka had convinced her client to source the Madhubani paintings from Aradhana.

Anushka continued to say that instead of being obsessed with keeping her home spotlessly clean and beautiful, she needed to iron out the creases of self-pity and failure that were ensconced in her mind. She questioned if Aradhana missed the spirited young girl she was 15 years back, who had a singular dream of exhibiting her paintings at the renowned Jehangir Art gallery in Mumbai. Her brushes which once brought to life the rich architecture and culture of India now gathered dust. Anushka’s words pierced not just her ears but through her heart. Aradhana was thunderstruck to hear these words from her twenty-three years old niece who she considered a baby. Aradhana could not hold back the tears that trickled down her chubby cheeks, as her voice almost choked trying to justify her stand with Anushka.

Aradhana had always shared a warm camaraderie with her niece Anushka, who was a decade junior but was her friend, critic, and confidant. Aradhana who was once an adept kathak dancer and prolific painter was now a mother of a 6 years old son and a homemaker. Aradhana had gained many pounds during pregnancy, but not made any effort to lose the same post her delivery. She often whined that none of the fancy designer clothes fit her and that her son’s friends had called her names like Fatso Aunty or Moti Aunty. Aradhana sulked and accepted this with a pinch of salt, but found no motivation to get back into shape.

Aradhana’s husband had a sales job and was out of town for over 15 days in a month, which left her lonely and craving for attention and company. Anushka would often ask her to resume dancing, by teaching a few kids from her neighborhood and after a lot of prodding Aradhana had mustered the courage, but soon developed cold feet. She would give her obesity as an alibi for not being agile and flexible to resume dance. She found many reasons that stopped her from pursuing her passion once again but could not find one that could inspire her. The constant feed of self-restricting thoughts had crippled her energy and this irked and pained Anushka.

Anushka had convinced the client of Aradhana’s proficiency in creating magic with her brushes, but as always Aradhana could not summon enough confidence to confirm the offer. She rattled off ten reasons why she could not take up the offer and finally Anushka had to take a firm step to put an embargo on the self-pity and self-limiting beliefs that had pushed Aradhana into a cocoon.

“Aru maasi, I don’t want to lose my talented aunt forever to this life of anonymity, I rest my case,” said Anushka sounding out an ultimatum. Her face was red with anger, frustration, and despair which she tried hard to conceal. Aradhana walked towards with tears still rolling down her pink cheeks and hugged Anushka tightly. Still whimpering Aradhana thanked Anushka for being her cheerleader and punching bag and pecked her. She held Anushka’s hand, walked up to the blank easel in the study, and picked up the brushes with a faint smile lining her face. They both looked at each other with moist eyes which now had a spark.

Motivation is intrinsic, but inspiration can come from anywhere. Inspire someone today to trash the self-limiting beliefs and rediscover their true self. The only limits in your life are the ones you create with your MIND. DECLUTTER Today!!!!