Today I turn 40 and that is indeed a good reason
to break the silence out here!
I had some ambitious plans throughout the year and
while I am still in pursuit of those, here I am, in its true glory. Someone asked
me whether I feel "old and wise" – I would say, as old as I have ever been and
wise enough to not know so many things.
My dad had shared a wonderful math equation that
has resonated in my head especially this past week:
Math of life = “On birthdays, you add one year in
your life and you take away one year of your life.”
Math of life on your birthday = “You add one year in your life and you add lots of
happy memories + smiles + achievements to be proud of”
I am not a big birthday person when it comes to
celebrating my own but it is a good milestone date to revisit the various hats
I wore and to reflect on all that has shaped and inspired me into who I am
today.
As I look back, I see a blur of my childhood years
and some extremely core memories with my family. They have seen me through my best
and worst, have protected me, loved me unconditionally, forgiven my mistakes.
They gave me strong roots for which I am
lucky and extremely grateful!
I was consumed with choices in education, career
and relationships. I made new friends, deepened friendship with some, lost
some; wish I had stayed connected with some.
I strengthened the dotted lines with new family members through the matrimonial bond.
I switched from owning a landline
to cell phones to the iphone. I roamed around many parts of the globe. My
defining moments in life came with being connected to Initiatives of Change and AIESEC and soon
after leaving the comfort zone to go to Birmingham.
There were moments when I couldn’t care less about
my future and then there were times I did worry about my future.
I found true essence of the word ‘TRAVEL’ through its
extremes from ruggedness, culture and history to luxury.
I have loved every bit of my career and industry
choices so far. I loved working at all the various organizations - some friends even call me by one of its acronyms! I did go on and off but never derailed from the philanthropic track
– something I feel passionate about.
I married at a time I feel was right; to the person
I deeply love and respect.
I became a mother – wearing many hats through that
one single role – and surprised that I am still alive through all those fears,
doubts, letting your heart beat out of your own, the pain of losing one.
Now here I am all of 40 today – switched nationalities
on paper and lucky to be connected to two strong heritages; moved from Mac to
PC and off the career track for now.
As I roll up my sleeve to what lies ahead,
I wish that I can make my boys the most successful venture A and I would ever
have. Seeing them and rearing them to be empathetic men, philanthropic and
strong citizens of the world will probably be the most precious gifts of all.
To my family, friends, my alma-maters,
organizations I have worked at/been part of, my colleagues - here’s to you all
who made my 40 count! And here’s to the next 40!
