Be you!

The Indian society is fond of westernization. We love the idea of overall change in our lifestyle, maintaining higher social standards and improve in every possible way, which without any doubt, is indispensable. But then, we are so absorbed in the idea of normalising western culture that we often forget what our core values are, we remain oblivious as to what it is that we really want. We forget to cherish the simple things in life.

Everybody wants you to open up these days, try and be more of yourself but when you actually oblige by that, they take a step back because they don’t want to accept the boldness. I sometimes personally feel that no matter how hard we try to accept a person’s individuality, we as a society fail to completely appreciate it on some levels.

In a casual discussion with a friend one day when asked ‘What’s your hometown like?’ I said ‘It’s good but I don’t like it there.’ To which I was given a strange look and I was prepared for the next question which would have gone like ‘Who doesn’t like the place they’ve grown up in?’ Though the conversation ended soon I started wondering why is it so important to fall in love with my hometown when I’m totally in love with all the places I’ve ever lived in. A lot of people move around, one place to another, calling it home and I seem to love the idea!

In another conversation with a co-worker, I remember him complaining about our working environment and how nothing was right about it, to which I completely took his side and agreed. I don’t know what stopped me from saying that on the contrary, I loved working there. The colleagues, the bonsai by the desk, the red clock on the wall and ofcourse, the work; I loved it all!

I often wonder that in spite of saying we prefer originality, encouraging ourselves to be free, speak our hearts out.. we ourselves find it difficult to stand by it. Just as we put filters on our Instagram pictures to make them look prettier because let’s face it, who wants to see the real us? Now what is it, if not the fear of getting rejected? Are we all not looking for some sort of validation there?

This has to be changed. So the next time someone asks you to be yourself, ask them in return, ‘Will you be able to handle it?’ Whatever the situation, do not lose your true self to others.

Let us all try and build a society which is more open, unbiased and welcoming; because only then will we be able to create a safe environment where our opinions would matter, originality would be valued and that would be the time when there would be no hesitation before expressing our thoughts or feelings. And remember, the change starts from me, from you, from all of us.

“Be the change you wish to see in the world.” Gandhi ji said; and that’s one good thing he said only if we follow it. So follow it, it’s needed and now would be the best time to start with it.