Whats sets us apart

We might not be a clean and green country with a robust economy but India has one thing that sets us apart from the rest of the globe. We have a unique character. Brits are snobs. Americans are jolly. Australians are shrewd. Africans are...well... black. But Indians- the word which does justice to us is, unpredictable.

Despite years of trying to look suave and cool like the west, India's image is still that of an eccentric, poor and culture rich country. Just like our nation, we all try to fit in somewhere. We try so hard to blend in our new office, neighbourhood, in - laws family, even in a fancy restaurant we are paying to eat at. Sometimes we succeed too. But mostly we just end up feeling uncomfortable and someone we are not. So why try so hard to pretend when the characteristic we are trying most hard to hide is the one which sets us apart.

For those who follow the hit TV series, How I Met Your Mother, it might not be unbelievable that my favourite is Barney Stintson's. His character is a heady mix of a womaniser (understated) and a romantic who'll do anything to keep his beloved happy. Despite being rich, suit clad 24*7 and legen-wait for it-dary, his character is easy to hate with the way he objectifies women but irresistible for his unconditional love for his friends. I could guess the characterisation of the rest of the characters in the first episode but Barney surprised me in each season. That is what set him apart.

No, I'm not paid to do PR for HIMYM. The point I want to make is, different is good. Trying to make ourselves into someone acceptable and likable won't work for long. If we are different, let people categorise us as that. Which would be better than being thought about as a person we are not and have to work hard to be.

Save the disguises for the theatre. Being yourself is in! And that is what will set us apart.

But you are too young to be married!

I'm 23. I'm engaged.

And it seems like the most drastic thing that a 23 years old could be.

When the news got out, before being congratulated on having landed a talented and handsome young man, most of my well wishers asked, so soon? But you are so young! Why the hurry?

Its funny that I was never told you are too young for this when I won the lead actress award for a school theatre in second grade. No one asked what the hurry was when I read my first Shakespeare at age 7. Why was I not asked in surprised tones why I had to choreograph my parents' 25th anniversary programme when I was at a young and impressionable age of 15. I wasn't questioned about being too young to be a leading news channel's youngest anchor at 21 years of age. No one raises an eyebrow at the fact that at 23 years I'm as (if not more) qualified and in a better income bracket than their son of 30 years! So if I wasn't too young to be all the above, why am I too young to be married?

So when relatives, family, friends, colleagues or even random people sound more surprised than happy at the news,(What?! You are getting married! So soon?? Why?! I can't believe you are already engaged at 23! Oh anyway, congratulations) I fail to see the 'big deal' in the entire issue.

And for those, who keep asking me why so soon, the reason, my dears is love. And if that isn't reason enough for you, then to each her own.

P.S. I'll rather have my fun when I'm young and excited about it than waiting for the appropriate age. :P

Unachievables

We have all had that one thing which we wanted with all our heart and soul but certain situations or conditions rendered them unachievable. It is common occurence for the unachievable to be a person. Something or someone we have always fantasised about or wanted to call our own. The pursuit of the unachievable brings out the romantic, the poet and the dreamer in us. We are so engrossed in trying to achieve the unachievable that we never give much attention to how the desired object fits into our life. And when I say object, I mean both the living and the non - living because in our efforts to win the target, fuelled by mindless passion, even though unintentionally, we become a little selfish and end up disregarding the feelings and needs of the prize we have set our eyes on.

In our minds, the race to win becomes an unending process, the end of which we don't give much thought to. When maybe just by coincidence or maybe owing to our incessant efforts or maybe because of a little bit of both, we achieve the unachievable, our joy has no bounds. I'm sure you know where I'm heading. But I'll continue anyway. The rejoice is often short lived because after we are done admiring our achievement, we might be at a loss of words when we ask ourselves 'what next' or when we begin to think 'this doesn't feel right'. This moment maybe delayed but it will come. One day or the other. The romantic in you will never acknowledge it but there will be no getting away from it.

But it shouldn't keep you from wanting, desiring and aiming. Because whether we have realised it or not, we all live for the race. We all need a dream which becomes a purpose towards which all our efforts are aimed. It is just important to remember always the feeling we had when we first made the unachievable our life's goal which will help us keep its importance fresh in our minds. And to find a new unachievable. But it shouldn't conflict with your achieved unachievables.

The world is full of possibilities and impossibilities. Never stop dreaming. Never stop cherishing the dream you turned into reality.