BE_HAPPY

As a kid, I always wanted to become a journalist or a fashion designer. Being a kid, I use to find both the professions very fascinating. My family was however not convinced with me aspiring a degree in journalism or fashion designing, as accordingly “They are not a safe career options for girls.” Though I wasn’t convinced enough, eventually I decided to pursue my bachelors in engineering. So there is a typical mind-set of people in India; you complete your 10th standard, choose science stream and then ultimately you have to end up taking admission for engineering. It is a mandatory thing. If you follow this path, people will definitely be proud of you. On the other hand, if you pursue a degree in mass and communication or fashion designing, then of course people will not be proud of you and will keep commenting. This is the mind-set of people.

I belief that it is completely okay to be the way you are. You need not do stuff to please anyone. It is fine if you do not have any plan. But yes, you should definitely have a passion. The important mantra for happy life is to keep trying and giving your best. Things will fall into the place eventually. It is okay to not to be the best at one specific thing, as you may be good at four others. It is a hard fact but equally true at the same time, “You cannot make everyone happy. But you can make yourself happy by doing whatever you feel right.”

People usually ask me – Your sister married at the age of 23 and is happily settled, what about your marriage? Even though in my school days, I wanted to be just like her, that doesn’t mean I have to follow her footsteps. I can have my own dreams, my own aspirations, my own plans about life and my own aims. Apart from all this, I don’t have to prove anything to anyone. Because marriage is not the ultimate aim! Is it? No, I don’t think so. Yes, definitely it is one major part of one’s life. But that doesn’t mean you should sacrifice your career or your dreams. Yes, both can work on parallel roads. Have faith in yourself, trust your instincts and go with whatever you have. Things will fall into the place.

While doing my engineering, I honestly never scored good grades. Yes, I passed with first class. But that wasn’t my cup of tea. After my engineering, I took admission for masters which I wanted to study, for which I had passion. As I had liking for it, the complete course didn’t make me feel loaded with burden. Also, I passed all the semesters with flying colours. The one thing I realised, “The key to happiness is being happy by yourself and for yourself.” I learnt it a very hard way, “I had a passion which I decided to pursue and that made me happy.”

Life happens to you when you least expect it. Life is bunch of roses, along with soft petals it also has prickly thorns. All of us, in our life, face failures. Nowadays, people quit, instead of finding solutions to the problems. Some of them keep going and finally end up their hurdles. These people have faith in themselves and these situations make them strong enough to fight against the world. They do not plan stuff, but make the best use of resources they have.

Lastly, “It is not selfish to love yourself, take care of yourself and to make your happiness a priority. It’s necessary.” Go on a trip, fall in love, join a course, do whatever makes you happy. The one who is happy is healthy. Fall in love with yourself and eventually you will love whatever is going on around you.

RIYA HEMANT GOTE

25.11.2018