#DearZindagi

Dear Zindagi,

You promised me a lot. But what you have given me has surpassed all that you ever promised. I knew that both beauty and ugliness would come my way, for nothing comes unalloyed. You have encompassed both good and bad. When I look back and also regard the present, I realize that the richness of living is in bringing all these experiences together and weaving a beautiful tapestry of them. 

Sometimes, life - you - get so busy and monotonous that we get fed up and negative about everything. At times, I didn't know who to go and talk to, because I didn't want to look too helpless. But that is the time when you started teaching me lessons. And no book taught me those things, certain instances happened that dawned upon as self-realization.

When I try to achieve my goals in haste, you slow me down. You teach me patience and the value of waiting for what is worthwhile. You teach me that - like the river that gets around so many bends and boulders, you also will make me flow over and around obstacles and difficulties. 

You often squeeze me like a lemon and so, stress, pain and defeat become part of my experiences. You make demands on me. I am made to take on responsibility, to care for others and to give something back to you. However, when the demands became excessive you have shown me that sometimes I have to be squeezed to give out my best. You have also given me the chance and opportunity to recover when the feeling of being squeezed of all energy threatens to take over. 

Looking back, I find that you have enriched me with a gamut of experiences. You've let me experience the fact that being tested does not mean one has to seek escape from you. When we say 'yes' to life, we are really saying 'yes' also to surprises, setbacks and personal tragedies, and not only happy times. 

We humans are hypocrites. When we get what we prayed for all the way, we are still never satisfied. We fuss about just anything and everything. Small or big. We crib daily. I crib daily. Water shortage issue? Train problem? Heavy rains? Not satisfied with the job at hand? Slow internet? Everything. But you taught me, "See opportunity in every difficulty. Trust your abilities, never give up and share fat thank you's with everyone around! "

In the course of time, so many things have happened, but not every happening was significant. I have now learned to skip and not mull over or get bogged down by happenings that could have been accidental, coincidental or negative, and therefore they do not say much to me anymore. 

Dear Zindagi, you are a twin sister of time. In learning to make the best use of time and putting our talents to best use in activities that are essentially time-bound, we are really living life to the full. 

The Holy Grail of the lessons you taught me-

a) "What is meant for me will come to me. No conspiracy can take it away."

b) As long as we don't forgive people who have hurt us, they occupy a rent-less space in our mind. So forgive and forget! 

c) Self pride is a necessity and always carry a magic lotion of 'optimism' wherever you go.

d) Sometimes the best revenge is to smile, move on and do nothing! 

e) Wanting to be someone else is a waste of the person you are. You can't please everyone. You are not even born to do that.

f) You should not rush something you want to last forever.

g) At one point, you will either have the thing you want or reasons why you don’t.

h) There will be haters. There will be doubters. There will be non-believers, and then there will be you – proving them wrong.

i) Be careful who you make memories with. Those things can last a lifetime.

j) There comes a time when you have to stop crossing oceans for people who would not jump puddles for you. Have your own back.

k) Not always money will make you happy. Do what makes you happy from within.

l) There is no good in investing in cold people and dead relationships, ever.

m) You can't control situations and moreover you can't control the people involved. Learn your lessons in time. There is a silver lining to every grey cloud!

n) Your pain is changing you, make sure it changes you for your good.

o) Don't worry about your heart. It isn't so delicate. It has the stamina to last for a lifetime. No bone there to break, securely wrapped in a set of ribs, your heart is built to take a punch and still be strong enough!

I have learnt my lessons and the need to put up a good fight and keep the faith. I will celebrate you, and not waste any opportunity you put my way. When I whisper a prayer, I say, "THANK YOU, LIFE, FOR THE GIFT OF SELF TO ME!" 

Life, you are worth fighting for! YOU are the best healer. Thank you for these precious lessons. No one has yet uncovered the mystery of life, and perhaps no one will, but we know you are a beautifully intriguing mystery. World is a prism of desires, unquenchable thirst and unsatisfying hunger. But, you are like a mirror- reflecting back, my actions. Thank you for teaching me to be happy, simple, original and unique in my own way.

Love From The One You Heal Daily,

Aayesha.

P.S: "I am writing a letter to life for the #DearZindagi activity at BlogAdda".