Being Myself!

Being yourself does not mean being ecstatically happy, it means having a soft smile lingering on your lips. Being yourself means enjoying your own company. Being yourself is the comfort of home and warmth of your soul. Being yourself makes you happy and confident in your own skin. It lets you have your peace of mind. Being yourself sets your spirit free.

Somewhere along the line, for a brief time, I had forgotten to be myself. It could be due to the work pressure, or other factors raging around in my life. But when I realized this, I was surprised. Not because I had forgotten myself, but because I was actually missing myself. I never thought I could actually miss being my crazy and weird self, but the last month at home made me realized how lost I was and how far I was drifting away from my roots. Being the farthest branch of the tree may give you height and more light and space to grow, but it also increases the risk of getting axed much more than the other branches closer to the trunk of the tree. I would rather be the short thick branch closer to the trunk which bears lot more such short branches, flowers and fruits than the thin ambitious far fetching branch will ever grow. Its all about how well you are connected to your roots. The farther you drift away from your roots, the farther you may drift away from yourself.

That is what had happened with me, the last few months in Mumbai had been really fast and hectic. Sometimes it was work, sometimes it was the city and sometimes, I don't even know what. I had friends and people around me but somehow I had managed to loose contact with myself. Yeah, may be only I can do that! Or May be waiting for others does that to you. Too much anticipation actually kills your patience. Being too much patient may make you a patient! Trust me! Those are the times when you need to put your feet down and stand up for yourself without thinking of the consequences, even the Willow tree (the symbolic representative of humbleness due to its very flexible trunk and branches) has a breaking point! And when you do that, you may see that it was not that difficult in reality, it was just a matter of having the courage to face the unknown with equal grace and certainty. 

So this home trip was good in so many ways, other than the "hyped" wedding season. Though it was not a break or vacation from work, but it was a vacation in many other aspects. First is worrying what to eat! At home, like always, you just say the word "hungry" and you have minimum 3 options in front of you at any given time of the day. And with the wedding season, my taste buds were really in for a treat (thrice). The weddings were also means of reviving old friendships, revisiting nostalgic lanes of memories along with being present for some of my closest friends in their most celebrated days. The other was a vacation from being lonely in spite of being in a crowd. Its not that I don't have friends in Mumbai or my work place. I do have great friends, but sometimes you still feel lonely. At home, I am never lonely, literally! Even if I need some me time, I may hardly get any there. I don't mind that at all though! I actually enjoy all the attention :P ( that's the sly me). And the most important thing is you are at HOME! You have your family always around. Automatically everything seems so much better and blissful. So many far fetched things seem actually possible. You get the strength and clarity to take important decisions of your life. You feel that whatever happens, nothing will ultimately go wrong. You will have your family around to support and stand by you always, no matter what. And that you will always be their strength and that they look up to you. Yeah, I am definitely lucky to have such great parents.

There was also one more thing which was an added feather to this colorful hat. I made some great new friends in office in Kolkata and also met some oldies from college all in the same office. We clicked immediately and on the first day it felt like we have known each other from years. It was not any filmy chemistry, it was the Bong Connection, I guess. Someone had told me that I was too much of a Bong. So, yeah that bong connection really made all the difference. They became the reason I wanted to go to office everyday. In short span of about 4 weeks, we had our own routine of daily hangouts, constant jokes and our own lunch schedule. We all loved it! Meeting them made me realize how small the world really is. We found out that we all are somehow connected, through mutual friends and that we have some old stories to share and get updates on. I somehow know that we will be in touch always, at least I hope so. 

This encounter also made me realize what I was missing out on and that I was losing touch with my Bong self off late. And I love being Bong. Its the best part of my life and I am every bit proud to be a Bong. So I tried my best to revive myself as much as I could. Being yourself may not necessarily be your better self, but it is your best self. It gives your personality that spark and charm. Like, Rihanna said, "I may be bad, but I am good at it!!" Being myself gives me the confidence to take on the whole world without a care. And I love being myself! As per my Mom, it makes me look my best. 

So this Women's day or whatever, I solemnly swear to be my crazy, weird, silly, colorful, stupid, naughty, a bit childish (at times),  lovely and graceful self always at all points of life and never again losing myself for any person or circumstances. It may sound selfish, but that's the truth for me. Guys, be yourself, however, whatever it is. That is the best part of you that everyone loves. Without you, there is not much left in your self! Plus, an original is worth more than a copy!

Enjoy your life your way! Be yourself!! :) :)