Instant Noodles

‘But yours is the generation of instant gratification & Instant noodles. You won’t appreciate the process..’ remarked a well wisher once while he tried to put some sense into me as to why I needed to enjoy the process, let things simmer and take it its own turn.

Irony being ,  this conversation was on the popular ‘instant messaging’ service.

But somehow that remark stung like a bee. It never left my conscious mind and I began thinking- Are we really all about instant?

I grew up in the 90’s , when stuff had started getting easier. From then to 2019, this generation of mine almost adapted like amoeba did from single cellular to multi cellular.

Instant food, instant dating, instant transport, instant loans, bank accounts & what not – you name it and there is every brand in the market trying to get things easier, convenient & quickly to you.

The bank came home, your relationships went online, you don’t plough the dough for roti’s any more because hey you have the ready to eat packets available, lest you have food delivery apps for any time cravings.  

And while I could not agree more with him, I also realized if things didn’t happen right away for me, be it a task or chores, I went restless.  When things did at the first attempt, I was jumping in excitement & gloating, when they didn’t I was panicking & was nervous.

Maybe this was because I was so used to having things immediately, at the snap of my fingers. May be it was a flaw only existing with me, or it was omnipresent in the scheme of things- we were but all about instant.

That made me realize I had to be in the process, whether it was work or relationships. I had to let them simmer. When the curve went upwards- smile, do my happy dance & when it did go downwards, may be let down that drop of tear..  

& then everything about marathon running made sense. If you intent to run long, you set the pace accordingly.

As winter sets in, I hope you enjoy that hot cup of your favourite beverage & let consistency batch in with those instant arrangements.

Cheers!

Positively Infectious

With absolutely no idea what awaited further, I had decided to step away from my comfort zone and move to another city. For an Indian girl in her twenties that meant no family, friends,being on your own and so on..; and while I was unraveling the logistics, culture and people in the new city, there was this girl who welcomed me with a smile so wide that reached her eyes.

She would say 'My pleasure'  everytime I expressed  'thank you' for helping me understand the who's who at workplace, and one would know she genuinely said so, rather than for the sake of it  Two years down the line , our courtesy talks progressed into a wonderful bond of friendship.


Nisha , a girl brimming with enthusiasm with an energy so positive like one would derive seeing golden daffodils in spring dancing happily as the sun expanded its rays across the horizon. It would infect every person she met.

Today, this woman is a gorgeous mother of a cute little two-month old boy who she named 'Khush' meaning happy, who is as playful as her.With all the pandemonium of a new born in the house she is still at her sporty best rejoicing the new phase in her life

Oh boy! Even during her pregnancy she would hop from one place to other, working night shifts, organizing events, volunteering sports activities  and so much, it made us all wonder how she did it. I still remember both of us contemplating endless crazy things like a game of thrones theme for her baby 😅

As our talks matured, I knew there were troubles she had, problems she faced, things she was angry at, just like a normal human being. But this Sindhi girl, taught me to take life as it comes, without regrets, and most importantly to not be guilty for your flaws. She does not mask it, rather wears it as as a shield.

This new mommy's positively infectious energy has me smitten everytime I meet her and leaves me smiling like a happy kid at the end

Nisha- Thank you for embracing me with so much of happiness and love. Your energy has me infected and keeps me going..

Do you have such friends that give you similar feeling ? Let me know in the comments

Cheers,
Miss Explorer

This is too Risky

‘But perhaps you could teach part time, till your venture stabilizes’, stated a contemplating me.

‘No Gargi’ , he said. “If I do that, I won’t give my 100% and here I am willing to take the risk, to give it all’’, said a confident Siddarth

This man had his aspiration of a career in sports management way early in his teens. My first memory of Siddarth is that being of - the only guy who questioned me when a particular debate competition forum was open for audience. 

That Q&A had turned into a  personal debate then and had to be mediated. Funny, our professors picked both of us to represent the college 5 years later at the University Youth Festival and that’s how we knew each other better and turned good friends and continue to be till date.

In line with his aspiration, he started a football league in the suburbs of the city and it was received and appreciated really well. The German Consulate awarded him with a scholarship and he later went onto study Sports Management in Leipzig, Germany. He came back to India and started his own sports academy – Sporko , which today has over 200 students and continues to work on various projects. A good orator, a risk-taker, creative and fun, his dedication takes him to different cities, working endless days to achieve his goals

I have always contemplated entrepreneurship and its challenges, especially in fields such as sports. They come in all varieties and with some good risk potential. My approach to career being a mainstream one and more of a 9-5 , comprehending challenges on this front becomes confusing for me personally.

Siddarth has been pushing me to watch sports especially football. He has taken the efforts to explain me a football match despite knowing my aptitude in that field, so that I know what he does there and what it takes, and  also that I develop an interest in it. 

While your friends are determined and hardworking to achieve their goal, their aspiration, I personally have come to a conclusion, that a little support from our end , would make them smile, perhaps motivate them to keep going.

How do you do that? Don’t succumb to mediocrity by telling them , ‘this is too risky’ ‘ what if it does not work’ ' are you sure you want to do that?' 

Attend their events, functions, buy their products/services, share feedback. Little things matter; it may not evade their challenges completely, but will definitely make them feel better , perhaps help in getting a good night sleep knowing their work is really appreciated and supported

Here is to my debate partner – ‘May you rise and shine and be the change' - though our debates will still continue 

To all the artists, start-up enthusiast, entrepreneurs –We respect you, love you and truly admire your work and undying spirit despite all odds- Thank you for making the world, a more creative place.

Cheers!

Miss Explorer