Changing gears to Conquering fears!

Ever saw a rainbow yet struggled to see all its colours with your naked eyes? More likely than not, isn't it? That doesn't mean the seven colours are not present. The beauty of the rainbow still lies in there, only for us to believe in the unseen.

As philosophical as the above comparisons may sound; life in itself is governed by philosophies. Being a baby, then a toddler, a young teenager to a flamboyant college goer, a confident working professional to being a responsible family person, all these phases of life transform you into a ' new you’. Aren’t there some or the other life experiences you must have gained during these times that must have evolved your personality?

Out of the many life experiences that I( Diva) must have had, the one I wish to put forth is 'The year not worth any tear.' The transitional shifts throughout life hadn’t ever pulled me down so much, that this event axed me to show my real strength. Changing status from single to committed is such an easy job, but how about undoing the same? I do not mean the virtual world, the click of a button, but about changing the mindset, the personal clicks you have had and uninstalling feelings, memories and thoughts. Yes, quite right the initial reaction is non acceptance to self doubts to self pity sometimes. Not to forget the varied levels of emotional and logical turmoil you keep oscillating in. Being vulnerable is good, many said but, seeing myself in such a vulnerable state gave me more shocks than pleasant surprises. An emotional healer for many, a happy go lucky girl, a master at expressing clearly both verbally and through writings and an ever smiling individual; I had never imagined myself dying to see my own smile, having writing ( more so an expressing block), wishing someone to magically heal me and the despair of ever being my charming and confident self. Time is the best healer they say. I let time pass to see the better of me only going in deeper shit(trauma).

Pep talks from family and friends helped for a shorter while until, one fine day Diva had a conversation with herself. To her dismay she realised this young lady was turning weak both physically and mentally. The reason being, she had to start from zero both personally and professionally ( having left her job). She had transformed her mind into that of a young married girl, enjoying the initial phase of taking care of her future family, then looking out for the job once settled personally.

Now, was Diva’s time to change her mindset again in that shorter span to my previous self in all terms. How do I do it? Self doubts surrounded yet again!! Remember the caterpillar? her inner voice said! What about the caterpillar? Oh yeah! I need to be the caterpillar transforming myself into the butterfly breaking that cocoon. Ready to break all shackles she agreed to change gears to conquer fears.

Life is unpredictable. Change is the only constant in life. All this is good to hear and nice to know. How about now implementing it in my own life I(Diva) said. Landing a job in a well known corporate, required her to relocate to Pune( a new place). She was compelled to be part of a new world that was bestowed on her due to certain circumstances. She didn’t let the comfort zone shift, fear of the unknown or her lack of confidence take the better of her this time. If life is all about evolving, I would not shy away from taking the toughest route for evolution she said. With open arms she embraced these seemingly tough times to make it through to 'a new her.'

Getting back on track with her writing, honing it more over time, learning new skills(art), upskilling to new techniques, discovering her hidden talents all came naturally to her. She was filled with abundance and positivity yet again to face life’s beauty newly. Yes, I start afresh! hold on, I have experience both professionally and personally now, she winked to herself.

As time passed by, Diva climbed the corporate ladder, yet the zeal and enthusiasm to keep her passion and creativity going dwindled in her. Putting a thought at it, she carved her path starting to help small businesses design their flyers, create taglines and content to promote them on a digital platform. From then on there was no looking back, ' Every closed path opens a new opportunity' and she didn’t think twice shifting from the corporate world to making her own name by writing blogs for her clients to make them create and grow their brand. Ted talks and content writing became the bread and butter for her. She was taken aback when at one such Ted Talk on a global platform she delivered her speech about her soon to be launched maidan book 'The Unsung Hero(ine)’, she was called upon by a delegate saying he was mesmerized by her talk. Coming from a well known author like him, she could not help but grin from ear to ear.

A few more hours of discussion about Diva’s book and varied talks he loved her flow of thoughts, choice of words and the emotional connect; she landed up grabbing an opportunity of co-authoring a book with him. Wow! 'Consistent efforts can’t ever take away your efficacy’, she thought to herself. No doubt while unleashing her maidan book he was by her side apart from her family and friends.

Coffee meets to dinner dates continued with the new found connection and in no time their book launch was near. More shivers ran down her spine when they joined hands to uncover the cover page of their book ' The Winner of Hearts' As the audience applauded, Shourya went down on his knees to propose to his co-author Diva. What! Is this for real? Diva couldn’t believe her eyes as she bent down to hold Shourya and hug him tight. The title of their book held true for both of them as they became the 'Winners of each other’s heart.' From co-authors to (co)mpanions they were pretty sure that the book is going to win hearts all throughout.

Both of them kept soaring high with their achievements with respect to their individual books and the joint venture. Authoring books, writing stories and creating stories all became an integral part of their lives. They didn’t even realise and 6 months had passed and the marriage day was near. Hopping and skipping between book releases and shopping, the D day was here. Their wedding turned out to be a story in itself with a book launch about the same ' A Wedding Affair.' The difference was: this was a story in which they played their role in the story and were present on every page of the book.😉 Yes, you got it right! It was their wedding album!

Diva danced with enthusiasm at all the happenings and the way the tables had turned in a year. The most risk averse person that she was, she had become a risk taker and a go-getter in the real sense. She believed in all that she laid her hands on and acing it now just felt like a cake walk. While she was thinking what next, a tap came on her back. Diva, where are you lost? Shourya asked. Shourya we should now think of imparting all that we have gained to young minds from our experience, what say? Shourya agreed instantly.

They thought of diversifying with the experience of their Ted talk around books to start life coaching to overcome failures of life and make them into the stepping stone of success in the real sense! They started their co-academy of life coaching to help combat setbacks transforming those into people’s unique areas of expertise to receive feedback. Added to it they also started training people on writing skills to exchange ideas about how to beat the bush around writing and becoming an author of your own life.

In no time their businesses did wonders. More and more people showered their love by wishing to learn from Shourya and Diva, uncluttering their own life to find their new self. Diva and Shourya’s confidence kept increasing by leaps and bounds. They manifested their expertise by tying up with schools and colleges and expanding their academy’s reach to reach the rural talents of the country. They went on to organize contests for younger lot countrywide as well as to give them an opportunity to launch their book. The academy tied up with a publisher to get it launched. The entire cost was borne by the academy while the fruits of labour were borne by the youth of tomorrow. This was Diva and Shourya’s academy ' Shva' to give it back to the society. Shva meaning breath really stood by its name: rekindling life in one and all who were looking at the world with lost hopes.

Diva felt every bit of this transformation and saw young and old rely in her and 'Shva' to transform their life stories. Empathizing in one and all to help them see the bigger picture that life had in-store. Shva’s tagline said, 'Ropes may get cut; but not hopes’. As more people started believing in it, Shva reached a global level and now book publishing and Ted talks together had a new subject 'Project Shva’. As ropes got cut, boundaries opened and Shva found wings to fly. Diva and Shourya kept reaching new milestones. Love was all that they gave and love is the only reward they asked in return and wholeheartedly appreciated as well.

Life was filled with much abundance and completeness they thought when Diva popped '’Good News" Shourya was like, is it? Oh no! Not the one you are thinking. It’s that time of the year when we have the Global Summit. Oh yeah! Mumbai this time! Shourya said. That’s why you are excited going to your lifeline? Not just that, it’s 'Project Shva' which is going to be in limelight. How come, Shourya intervened. It’s a year of Shva’s establishment on the day of the Summit. Wow! That’s a real good news indeed.

Have you thought of anything in particular to talk about Diva? It's going to be a surprise she laughed.

The day of the Summit when Shva (Shourya and Diva) were called out to deliver their upliftment story through 'Project Shva' Diva grabbed the mike and said rather than just about highlighting how we went about, I would love to recite a few lines I had penned after listening to and understanding stories of many jewels who thought they had lost their path and to all those who think they have lost themselves.

Here it goes in my words, the life through their eyes

On a road with scores of people..

In a lane with a few friends..

On a plane with hundreds of strangers..

Even in a home with your loved ones..

Have you still found yourself lost completely?

At the mercy of lord!

To ask yourself each time what's my fault?

Am I the weaker one?

Or the unwanted one?

Am I tested for my patience?

Or punished for my emotional connect?

Am I welcomed to always portray goodness in a world of nothingness?

Or merrily ripped off my innocence by fake genuineness?

I say!

I am you..

Still standing strong..

With all my might..

And so can You..

Applause poured from the audience and delegates alike, Shourya and Diva had happy tears to then conclude that was the story of Project Shva: Our baby and our story indeed.

Just change gears to conquer fears!!