DO YOU HAVE TO BE THE BEST AT EVERYTHING?

The simple, one word answer is, NO!

My husband and I have been working hard on teaching new skills to our daughter, Revaa. Drawing, singing, dancing, speaking, animal sound making and such, and it has been an extremely fun experience!

One of my favourite activities to do is singing. As some of you may know, I come from a family of musicians, both from my mother’s and my father’s side, the pressure to be able to not just sing in tune and beat, but also have an understanding of raagas and taalas was pretty high. I never aced it, but I tried. I grew up representing my school in way too many inter-school music competitions and won many awards, so you can imagine the pressure I am about to build on my child.

For months now, she has tried to hum something and sing her version of “wheels on the bus go round and round” completely out of tune and beat and even words, but according to me 20 months is good enough time on earth to be able to sing well. She should’ve been able to sing in tune by now, owing to the fact that even my husband belongs to a musically inclined family. And according to him, I am being ridiculous because the out of sync version of the song is what is adorable about being a baby!

I never gave up though, I kept trying to sing many, many songs to her hoping she’d pick it up! And she’d sing along, and enjoy singing along, just not in tune! In one such attempt last weekend I tried singing Lucky Ali’s “O Sanam” to her and guess what, she sang along, still completely out of tune, but that was the most adorable version of that song I have heard ever!

Guys, she has impressed me and made me believe that the intention to participate and the willingness to learn, grow and enjoy something is more important than being the best at it!

So, work or play or hobby, do it because it makes you happy, you’re bound to impress people if you enjoy the process!