Do you really feel free?

For those of us here in india, today is our Independence Day – the day we celebrate our freedom.

I’m thankful for the people out there who continue to fight to protect that freedom that we enjoy, and often take for granted, every single day.

With that being said, one of the things that I’ve realised over the last few years, is that many of us don’t feel nearly as free as we would like.We’re extremely fortunate to have our basic Indian liberties such as freedom of speech, freedom of religion etc. but many seem to feel trapped by the very lives they have created for themselves.

Why is this? The simple answer I believe, is uncertainty.

Most people don’t experience the freedom they truly want and deserve in their lives because they’re afraid of the uncertainty surrounding making a change.

Can you relate to this at all?

Uncertainties like:

-  How will I pay my bills if I switch to a career that makes me happier?

-   I’ve worked my whole live to afford this house and mortgage, there’s no way I could sell or downsize now

-What will my friends and family think if I pursue something that is a little more unconventional?

While yes, here in India, we’re the land of the free.However our society also sets us up to follow the traditional path, which can make it feel as though you don’t have as much control over our lives and choices.

I'am sure most of us simply looked at 15^th August as a three day weekend, as opposed to what it really stands for. I think it is actually an opportunity for many to have a taste of true freedom and do things they wish they could do more often. It truly is a day to celebrate freedom, both on a governmental level and a personal one.

My point for all of this, is today, think about your freedom and what it means to you. Answer the question, “Do I truly feel free?”

If not, think about why.

There’s not a day that goes by where I don’t consciously think about how fortunate I am to live this type of lifestyle. Sure, I’ve worked really hard to get here, but I can definitively say, it’s been worth it every step of the way.

If there is one thing you could do this week, to get yourself one step closer to the freedom you really crave in life, what would it be?

Happy Independence Day :)

Difference is a blessing!

Difference is a blessing, it's the leader of the ship
For if all the sailors went right, they would all sink
Difference is a blessing, imagine if we all wrote with the same ink
Imagine if all the birds were the same, same colour same wings
Imagine if we loved no other than the colour pink
If we went to the store everyday, to buy the same food and drinks
If every season was spring
If we all had the same dreams and if in the same way we would all think
Imagine if we were all born kings
If there were no carpenters or servants to wash the dishes in the sink
Give it a couple of days and the world would end
But difference is a blessing, not a way to offend
The hand holding it from the middle, always there to mend
Difference is a blessing, a connection between two friends
Your self contradictions are the same
For if you look at your contrasting frame
You'll find every aspect keeping you sane
For your contradictions are a blessing, an equation with meaning
It's what's keeping you from sinking and shaping you as a human being!

I'm a woman...

I am the martyr,
The mother of the martyr,
The sister of the martyr,
The daughter of the martyr.

I am the injured of the revolution,

The protester,the jailed,the detained,
The tortured,the exiled,the kidnapped and the raped,
I am the veiled, the non-veiled,
It's according to my deep conviction,
I am white, light skinned, dark-skinned,
Anyway, I am a beautiful soul.

I am young by spirit, old by experience,
I am the pregnant,the wife,the single mother and the widow,
I am living with one hand,one leg,one kidney,
But I study,I work and I travel,

Yet I am not the victim,I am the leader.
I clean up the streets of my nation ,
I raise up the past, present and future generations,
I speak out for my son at school,
For my client in court,
For my art at theatre,
For my mind on paper.

I live in the city, in the town, in the countryside, in the suburb, in the mountains, on the borders,
I am Africa, Asia, America, Europe, Australia and every corner where there is life and sound,
I boost the economy, I advance the technology.

Do I deserve to be equal to you? YES I do because I AM a woman empowered by my words

I raise my voice for human rights, for justice, for social change,
I use connections to unite,
I use platforms to debate,
I use my words to shape the reality,
I perform, I lead.

My achievements are not to be waived,
My dreams are not for giving up,
My body is not for sale,
My mind is not for manipulation,
My place is not for abdication,
My job is not for quitting,
My views are not for granted,
My rights are not to be violated.

Why? because I AM a woman empowered by my words.