THREE YEARS AND ALMOST DOWN UNDER

An unbelievably quaint atmosphere, I can hear the floor creek as I take every step into this new, huge and ever-so-good-looking-office. As I continue to walk dainty, to shun the noise below my foot, following the human resource person like a creep I start imagining how time has changed. Am I here for the better? Is this really what I was dreaming of? Is this the place I thought I would be after exactly three years? All sorts of questions, thoughts, sentences and a cloud of words storming my mind, till I am stalled into a conference room to complete my joining formalities.

Exactly three years from my last blog, seems like I was really missing the grind. From 22 to 25 and on the verge to complete my 26th birthday, I feel an accomplishment within. From journalism to public relations to working with India's largest PR firm and handling brands in the consumer industry that most professionals would rave about. Life had a rustic tune playing in the background of every situation I was put through. I changed cities; from a metropolitan capital to a cosmopolitan cocktail-like city, landed a fancy mid-entry level job at India's largest and most finest PR firm to another new job back in the capital city as Assistant Public Relations Manager of a leading personal care brand. Life can be uncanny but I am not sure if at this point it really is!

As I am not allowed to disclose so, the last three years have been the most enjoyable, wild, experimental and I fall short of words to describe how it really was. The experience was not so naive, as independence had settled long ago but this too was in a way nothing less than a turmoil. Living with relatives and then living alone, late nights with friends and then accomplishments at work, falling in love and finally making a home - it indeed was an eventful series of months and years. 

While I sign-off my joining formalities at this new company, I sense a rustic culture something I have never experienced before. I succumb to my thoughts and imagine the impossibilities I could be forced to undergo but then I smile and remind myself of the last three years, the impossibilities I withstood. I feel accomplished, thoughtful and ready to take-on, yet another series of  whatever we'd call it but absolutely never a difficulty!

RETROSPECTIVE

Finally the day came and I woke up to resume my fitness routine. I completed six Surya Namaskars, followed with some Pranayam (meditation technique) and was already left breathless. Well, this is how an unhealthy body behaves!! Sudden heat waves take over your body and make you feel  breathless after six rounds of struggling in and out of yoga postures. Even though I skipped my walk due to sheer laziness, I managed to crawl out of bed and practice yoga. So yes, maybe an accomplishment but I guess a few more challenging mornings and I will be charged up again.

Adjusting with a new routine is always a challenge and especially when you have to make the effort to change it. But when you know that a change would do you good then I guess, it gets a little easier. Nonetheless nobody likes changes but sometimes you just need to enforce some into your life to do good for yourself. The most recent and transformative change for me has been getting acquainted with the work place. It's been four months of continuous rummaging and the place where I sit and move around suddenly feels like it belongs to me. The people around have been good companions and helping it all seem worth the risk and trouble, which makes the journey seem exciting. When I go back in time and picture myself in Central Park watching the walls of this office, aiming to be here someday makes me feel a sense of accomplishment. It's a big achievement and I realise the importance of holding onto this. What it has in store, is yet to be seen but the more important fact is to hold onto what I have and cherish what I always wanted. That's what life is all about, something I totally disagreed with a month back.

Life is enjoyed best when you cherish what you possess and held onto whatever stood beside you. Apart from sounding like a philanthropist, it has somewhere seeped into me that gone are the days when only work could determine your personality. You need to build a strong personality and make it reach beyond what the rest aspire towards. It also includes karma and definitely revolves around spontaneity. Your instant reactions speak what your mind is all about and may also act as a breakthrough device at times!

We all go looking for peace and happiness but we never sit back and appreciate what we have today. Life is a benevolent gift, live it while it lasts' and cherish it till your moments are there to stay with you.

A 20 YEAR OLD SERIES

Growing into a 20 year old something has never been easy, neither for me and my friends feel the same too. Contrary to what my parents feel, as they always say, "you've got nothing to worry about." By this statement which they usually make when I whine about certain things, I assume that they mean since I'm not married and don't have a family there is nothing in this world that should bother my mind. Although I agree with them that being married and having a family is a big responsibility, at the same time I do not agree that being young and single gives me the space to throw my arms open wide and go laughing around aimlessly.

Yes, I certainly do have things that bother me, a career and the eagerness to prove myself that I can be what I wish to be and peer pressure of course, is the subject that came into existence as our generation was being born in hospitals across town.

Apart from the conventional dialogue that goes on between parents and a 20-year-old, I think the stage when you complete your graduation and start working is a tremendous change in life. Suddenly, your life seems to be in full swing. The new job makes you feel amazing but that's only the case if you're lucky enough to get a good job. Then the new routine that starts getting to you and making you wish that you were still in college and could afford to sleep or watch television a bit longer. Planning a day with friends begins to seem impossible and the time when you are asked to spend the weekend at home to entertain relatives that are coming over after a long time is just unbearable. It all just seems nerve wrecking but at the end of the day that's what you wished for; a job at a good organisation and new friends to bond and celebrate with.

Thankfully, my job is close to something I wanted but the challenges still exist and I cannot bounce over them or overlook it. They need to be dealt with a lot more seriousness than a late submission at college.