As I watched the T.V. series Band Baaja Bride, I loved the lines spoken by Sabyasachi Mukherjee, the fashion designer who uttered a very catchy phrase to one of the brides in the show, which was “to inspire you to become better versions of yourselves”. As I reflected on the above phrase and on its implication, I found it apt to pen down a few lines to all the lovely ladies out there and also to my sisters and myself and to wish my fellow ladies a very Happy Women’s Day and at the same time to urge each one of us to become better versions of ourselves.
Each individual don many roles in a lifetime and as a woman we too assume myriad roles of a daughter, a sister, a wife, a mother, an employee, an employer and the list continues. We are so caught up in the roles that we play, that we forget that there exists another world- our world too. We forget to be ourselves, we forget who we are, our dreams, our wishes and aspirations as we strive to be a perfect wife, mom, sister, employee, employer, an in-law, etc. attempting to fulfil the responsibilities that each role entails, but in this mad scramble, our bucket list seems to be lost and forgotten and it continues to simply remain a wish. As we celebrate Women’s Day, I would like to take this opportunity to ask YOU to celebrate yourself and to also embark on this journey of finding a better version of yourself. I urge everyone including myself to do something that defines you, celebrates you, makes you alive, in short attempt to find the real you. For, I believe that it is in knowing ourselves that we can truly give.
Being a better version of ourselves does not mean spending loads of money on ourselves, to try to attain or fit some other person’s definition or standard. It simply means finding the little things that make you who you are. It means searching deep within your soul, to find that one thing that makes you smile, that one thing that gives you the drive to be who you are. There are no ends to comparisons and ideal types, which are forever being forged. However, let us try to be in competition with our own self and attempt to bring out a better version of ourselves, for in doing so, the possibilities become limitless.
This Women’s Day is your Independence Day- not trying is a crime!!! There will always be fears, self-doubts or anxieties but let that not stop you from finding yourself or more essentially “a better you”. Ladies and girls, we are a treasure in ourselves- we are strong, beautiful and extremely special individuals; we have incredible strength to do the impossible. We need to believe in ourselves and realize that none of us are weak because we have been placed by God at this time wherever you are for a reason. The life that you have, has been pre-designed and predestined for you and you are not a misfit nor in the wrong shoes. You were always in the right shoes but loving yourselves less.
Life teaches us many lessons- cruel and beautiful at the same time. It teaches us to value this life which we have been blessed with, though many of us forget to. As sojourners, we are all travellers in different routes and in different stories being shaped and moulded by the sum total of our experiences and surroundings. However, as the experiences and the environment shape and mould us, we are limited to achieve our true potential not because of others but because of ourselves- by becoming our own enemy.
As we celebrate Women’s Day, let us rediscover our true self and make a pledge to be a Stronger you, a more Beautiful you, a more fulfilled you, in short, CELEBRATE YOURSELF. Your happiness matters! Find yourself and when you do find yourself, I would like you to remember these words: “There are two things that define a person. Your patience when you have nothing and your attitude when you have everything.”
You are beautiful ladies, celebrate life, and celebrate yourself.
M Veronica Chishi Sanglir
