Write Your Own Story!

No, this is not a movie review. While I am in the midst of working on a dream project and also accountable to myself to write at least two planned blog posts this week, I am sitting on my desk at around 7.30 pm on a Saturday evening and writing this 'unplanned' post. Some write-ups are driven by soul after all!

Today, as I woke up at around 10 in the morning, I received a message from BookMyShow (sent by my father) that I have been invited to watch the movie, Manjhi: The Mountain Man. This was no surprise to me because my father remembers and takes care of every small thing related to me. My father knew how much I had been eagerly waiting for this movie since the day I told about this Mountain Man to some children in a session on Goal Setting (Skills for Life Session 2 - Goal Setting).  However, today, my first thought was - 'How in the world am I going to find time for this!' Little did I know then that I will regret this thought later in the day.

Going to the movies is like a ritual for my father and me. We both are big big fans of watching movies, be it at the theater or at home. However, my mother and sister do not enjoy the same. So it naturally fell upon the two of us to be each other's best company. Over the years, this has turned out to be my most awaited and cherished ritual for me. But today since my father fell ill, my mother and I went to watch the movie together. So, whenever my father or I are not able to go for the movie together (due to unforeseen situations), my mother kindly bestows her kind company upon us. We are a family after all.

Let me come back to the movie now. For people who do not know about this magnanimous hearted man named Dashrath Manjhi, let me try and throw some light in brief. Dashrath, hailing from a  small village of Gehlaur in the state of Bihar in India, spent twenty years carving a road through a mountain. Yes, a road, through a mountain, alone. His motivation - the death of his wife while trying to tread on this treacherous mountain. People called him insane and what not, but he kept believing and treaded on this insurmountable journey with conviction and strong will. Indeed, love gives us strength, courage, and meaning in life.

It needs to be strongly mentioned here that this was a huge mountain which people had to cross or travel around on foot to reach the nearest town of Wazirganj to access medical care and other facilities.  The State and many other agencies had given up on this task because of the difficult terrain of this mountain. Dashrath, however, was determined to make way through this mountain so that no other person has to die like his wife did. So, this story in a way also presents a perfect example of how a personal battle based on love, determination and courage, turns around the universe, the world and the society, for good; the only condition - STAY MAD.

I do not want to delve into the details of the movie and how it treads into perilous zones of untouchability, caste system, politics, and greed. And how Dashrath Manjhi in spite of all of this, does not give up! I want to just share with you my takeaway from this movie.

We all like to believe that we cannot change our destiny, it is all written. May be, this is because, having this belief comforts us, it lets us be, it is easy. However, from what I have gathered in the past twenty four years of my existence is that - we have to write our own story. Therefore, I do not believe much in what is called 'fate' or 'destiny'. This movie only reinforces my faith in this thought when Dashrath humbly mentions - Bhagwan bharose mat baitho, kya pata Bhagwan hamare bharose baithe hon (Do not leave your destiny in the hands of God, may be God has left your destiny in your own hands).

Now this is something powerful! The universe blesses us only when the power of the universe inside us unleashes to its fullest potential. If Manjhi would have believed that if it is destined, the road will be made; I am sure we won't be writing about him today! 

I carry a long-term vision in my heart and soul - to substantially bring down the number of people in slavery worldwide. One day, I believe that slavery will be gone. You may think that I am joking around or that I have completely lost sense of what reality holds on ground, but let me tell you that I have not. 

A vision may seem impossible to us. But how do we know the possibility or the impossibility of realising that vision until we reach a point in life where we do not see a way forward? So, I like to personally believe that nothing is impossible, for there will always be a way as long as we keep believing in us, truly and completely. And when there seems to be a dead end, there will definitely be something to show us some light and therefore help us in walking forward. After all, when we honestly unleash the power of the universe that lies inside us, the universe outside, blesses us with all its mightiness and love.

Throughout this beautiful life and even beyond, the journey is ours, the battle is with our inner self, and the results will also be ours. Then, why do situations and people matter so much to us throughout our lives! Leave all inhibitions and the assumed hurdles, unleash from all your shackles and fly, for the journey is yours and yours alone.

For once, start writing your own story, for it will be the one that is unheard of, the one that will leave a strong legacy behind you, and the one that truly will mark your permanent impression on this Universe! Whatever we require to write our story, lies within us. 

I have started to write my own story a few years ago and it has been pretty enthralling until now. And I am sure that it will get better as I progress through life. 

So, would you like to write your own story? :-)

P.S. Thank you Dashrath Manjhi for being a fellow story writer. You have not just lived your life well, but you have also given meaning to many many lives around the world, including mine.