My common woman!
I have a few characteristics which make me unique, I am sure you too have some! Share it with me in the end... would love to read it.
- I take positive steps on criticism received
- I take responsibility for my state of being
- I take my stand with confidence
- I can’t sit idle for long
I come from a middle-class Indian family, where there was a right to education but no say in decisions, whether it is getting a job, getting married with your own choice, or even what you are going to wear at a cousin’s wedding. At the age of 11, one of my cousins got engaged when she was 19 years old. It had me with a thought.. oh boy! by that age I would barely scratch my graduation.
Having all these brain-whacking thoughts I never realised whom I am getting supported by, ‘my mother. A common woman of India, yet not so common. who got married at the age of 17, but was never willing to give up! She completed her grad, and post-grad, diploma in her favourite skills — dressmaking after marriage.
She started working when I was around 10 years old. She used to travel in local buses for 4 hours and then walk for 4–5 km daily for close to 8 years. We barely got to spend time with each other but she managed it so well, that I got to learn so much from her life that I might not have received in verbal lessons.
Sharing how her steps shaped me today who I am.
- Take positive steps on criticism received
When my mom got married, she was trolled for being confident. Mom- “She has not done anything, she is only 12th pass! — I thank all of them today.” If I look at her today she is the first woman in both my maternal and paternal family to get her grad, other degrees and a job. Her taking a positive action not only changed her life but in long run, she opened paths for other women in my family and became a source of inspiration.
2. Be responsible for your state of being
A woman of dignity and hard work, my mother, worked 16 hours a day including travel. We never had any household helpers, despite we were able to afford to have one. Sounds crazy right! to me too when I was a teen. But she developed a strong family bond out of it. We started distributing work among us four in my family. We used to discuss everything from each other's day at work and school to what are we planning for the weekend, a stress burster. She developed a habit in me not relying on anything or anyone to make me happy and make the best out of the situation I may be in. It helped me grow strong mentally.
3. Taking a stand with confidence
“Your opinion might not always be heard, but if you don’t say it out loud it will be 100% unheard.” A woman who always stands with a straight spine and a smile can observe the vibe and intention of a person within seconds. Her aura is so confident that not a single word she speaks goes unheard automatically. She gave me the confidence to be who I am; today, my energy speaks for me.
4. I can’t sit idle for long…
My mother is also the one who taught me after school hours as a kid. One who was pursuing her grad, getting all the household work done, reading books and writing ‘gazals’, stitching new designs, whatever she could explore in her me time. The same applies to me, I used to sketch sit beside her, dance, and paint, being an adult I am still exploring writing, playing the guitar (so bad at it), trekking, taking care of my health, and reading books. Not necessary your interest will always remain the same. But if you stop exploring life will surely be stagnant.
The idea to share these thoughts is that we discuss women who brought broad visible changes, but a woman like my mom and yours is shaping tomorrow's youth. If we closely understand these changes, we will come out strong as a generation in every aspect of life.
Please share your thoughts and one woman who shaped you. :)
