The Journey Through It - Year 2021

I might fall short of words; if I go on to describe how it has all been. Actually, it’s a gamut of emotions I have bursting within when I think of briefing about how it all went. What comes to my mind first, is that it’s been tough, tough to sustain, tough to live through, and tough to accept as it was. But all of this more or less became familiar to us, a part of our daily routine, carrying masks wherever we might go, using sanitisers frequently, something we just began accepting as our fate. Deep within the hearts of all, however, was a hope, a desire for this to change. And the situation did change, but for the worse.

 Just try to imagine the mental state of a teenager, all of whose family members have tested positive of Covid and two of the members, admitted to a hospital, depressing news on channels each day, study pressure, and the pressure to cope with all the teenage life challenges, the most difficult one being, to actually accept what was going on and to digest the reality, to console oneself of all the cries, to stay hopeful and motivated at every stage of life. I was depressed and it was difficult for me to focus. It was then when I discovered the strength of music, that power to heal even your deepest wounds, and I found immense solace in music. Albeit for a few moments each day, I was able to soothe myself, console myself, and bring up that positive spirit to face and fight every challenge life has to throw up at me.

Gradually, it all became normal, my grandpa is still unwell but is actually in the process of recovering from the post covid illness. This year has been great teaching for me, making me understand some of the vital lessons of life that might prove to be influential in forming a foundation for the future. Something special I learned was, as my dad always mentions, a graph that always rises, reaching peaks, doesn’t mean that it won’t ever fall, a graph that rises and falls continuously and simultaneously, showing all ups and downs of life, is, what makes you feel life, experience life, and a graph that reaches the peak, shall as well experience the fall, and falling from that height might prove to be more destructive. So, don’t ever think that it’s just you who has to face all such challenges, all of us have that graph going up and down, as a gradual process, don’t desire for the always rising graph, as it has to fall at some point of time, and if it falls from that peak, it’s gonna be a much stronger and serious fall. Accept life as it is, and enjoy the journey; don’t always expect to reach a destination, what holds importance, is the process, the path to follow.

The learning, actually essential for me, was that I could learn the importance of relationships. Whatever post you might have, however, your colleagues might treat, whatever be the perceptions of the society people about you, no matter how your boss treats you, whatever be the wealth you have stored up in your bank lockers, what counts, are those handful of individuals, who are there for you, always, to lend you a helping hand, to lend you a shoulder, to help you rise, stronger and positive. These are the people who walk into your lives when the rest of the world abandons!!

The year kept on showering over me, such lessons throughout. At some points it was hard for me, to rise and accept the reality, but remember, the graph always goes up and down, as a gradual process. Amidst all this, my love for writing grew stronger, and I began to pen down all that I had on my mind and spread my thoughts among the people I knew. But I felt that something was still missing, my voice didn’t reach out to as many individuals, so I started writing my blogs and looking out for opportunities to write. Soon, I realized that I wanted to occupy myself and my mind in doing something productive and constructive that not only helped me relax but supported me to improve my writing skills and work for society as well.

I am regularly, into writing blogs and articles on the themes that I care for, the topics that interest me and that I think go unnoticed very often. I too have started writing blogs and essays on a topic that I can very well relate to, ‘Sustainable Development Goals.' I might have realized this towards the latter part of the year 2021, but it is true that most of my works during the year have been centred around the UN SDGs and I have enjoyed working for a cause that relates to the environment and our planet Earth. The year also brought me the opportunity to work with my amazing classmate, on an interesting project, where we both try to put forward our views about the UN SDGs and make an effort towards their accomplishment. 

Challenges are an essential part of life, that make you realize your inner potential and discover your strengths and weakness. What's necessary is, the positive spirit and courage to face all that life has to offer, with strength and determination...

It has been a year full of remarkable experiences, unparalleled learnings, and beautiful moments, somewhat special and unique. That’s the way I see it !!!