Gold(en) Investments

Many years ago when I was 16, in grade 11, my mother had a small sum of money that she was advised to "wisely invest in buying gold bangles for my marriage". However, my very academic mother chose to invest in my potential instead. Much against popular (unsolicited) counsel, she chose to use the money for extra classes to prepare for entrance exams. She said "If my daughter is capable, she will make many gold bangles for herself". There was never even a iota of doubt of what the "right investment for a young girl" is.

I didn't clear any of the engineering programs that I applied for, and went on to graduate from Delhi University... post which, I did clear the MBA exam for XLRI Jamshedpur (which makes for an another story)....

Over the years, although I chose to invest in my personal development through Sumedhas Academy For Human Context , it wasn't as much a financial challenge as 3 years ago when I had to decide whether or not to participate in iGold: International Gestalt Organization and Leadership Development program. This was a program that Sushma Sharma encouraged me to attend and invest in. As someone who shares the values of investing in oneself its only due that I acknowledge her. However, it was a significant choice to make, especially as I wasn't in a "regular job". Nonetheless, once again, my mother not just supported me but actively encouraged me by offering to pay for the fee.

Being a Gestalt OD practitioner and the experience at iGold was the genesis of Caregiver Saathi and we couldn't have come this far but for the encouraging support of the Cohort, the faculty that built on the foundation laid by my journey, mentors and friends at Sumedhas. But I digress...

The convocation for iGold was at Singapore and my mom was excited to participate and get an opportunity to visit Singapore (her tourist adventures will make for many other posts... )

She was so impacted by the experience of the convocation that she decided to be a participant in the following cohort!

When the time came, she had momentary thoughts like "I think I'm going to use your inheritance for attending this program". Needless to say, it wasn't even a dilemma for me. I said "You've made us capable, that's more than an inheritance".

On her 70th, she gifted herself the program and the many travels that it promised. She travelled for 3 of the 5 modules, and combined solo tours to many countries in each of the trips and published two collections of her poems.

Earlier this year, she graduated from the program that had to pivot to a blended / virtual format.... Unanimously recognised as the most mischievous of the Cohort. (at least now the faculty are convinced when I told them that I'm the adult in the relationship! ) My daughter who had also logged in to watch her granny graduate commented "Mamma had this 'proud mamma' look on her face when Nani's name was announced"

As I reflect on this journey, I am convinced of the rich inheritance, #legacy and #inspiration of making the right choices of what to invest in. I did go on to buy many gold bangles, most of which sit in a locker today. And I did go on and continue to build my dreams.... of making my #choices, Caregiver Saathi, motorcycling, crocheting and most importantly life-long learning and the right kind of investing!

Sometimes I worry if I'm not investing enough for my daughter, or accumulating enough #inheritance for her. But then I think about my inheritance of believing in my dreams, chasing them, living life to it's fullest and I am convinced that I don't need to invest "for" her, but "in" her.... She stands on the shoulders of right choices. Afterall, "if my daughter is capable, she will make Gold bangles, motorcycles, luxury cars or farm houses... whatever 'she' dreams! "

What are your choices and Gold(en) investments?

#investment #investinginyourself #womensupportingwomen #childhooddreams

#chasingdreams #storytelling