Confessions are never easy..

There is a reason we say it takes a lot of courage to accept one’s mistakes. More than accepting, it is also important to learn from them, right? So today I am sharing because I believe by talking to people out there, some might resonate with my stories too.

And there’s got to be some take away right? Something worthwhile in this short excerpt into my life?

When does one “grow up”? like when does one really become mature? Is it a process or a product? Is it something that happens gradually with time, with experiences or is it something that one just wakes up to? Is it in one’s upbringing or in one’s environment? Over the years I have had many acquaintances with people who have told me or commented that I come across as so mature, sorted, calm, focused and smart. (they say a lot more but let’s stick to the story)

I do have my quirks too. I am forgetful, dreamy, silly, and irrational (at times).

So there’s a learning I want to document here.

Over the past few years along with my studying and teaching, I have done some learning too.

I grew into my passion for writing and speaking in front of an audience and the more I immersed myself in it, the better offers I started getting.

But I also failed or did miserably in a few. My confidence got the better of me.

I felt I could wing it, and most days I did but sometimes I didn’t.

And where I lacked in consistency I made up for in flair. But I realize now that consistency is what matters in the long run.

I got a few lucrative writing projects along the way and I couldn’t do justice to the work or to myself because somewhere I chose excuses and circumstances to make myself feel better for not doing what I knew I am more than capable of.

I remember a learning my Mom had taught us very early on in life… during Board exams and the like. When we would crib that how can there be so much syllabus to study and how are we supposed to study so much, she’d say, “I BELIEVE, YOU ONLY GET AS MUCH AS YOU CAN HANDLE, NOTHING MORE, NOTHING LESS” and I guess that’s why she is so sure of us today that no matter where we are or what we do, we will manage. Not only survive, but thrive.

Coming back to being mature, I think it’s a mix of both. The more you see around you, the more chances you will find to make choices that shape you into a mature, calmer, finer YOU.

And its alright if you stumble once, or twice or plenty of times for that matter. Sooner or later, life will teach you and you can use those experiences to be more aware of how you wish to be.

Life is beautiful and so are you!!

-Niyamat C