31st of Jan was my last working day at Citibank. I had a wonderful day at work. I took in the atmosphere of the office, knowing that my new office would be different. I watched my colleagues laugh, talk, click snaps, knowing that I would miss them. I said Good-bye to my laptop, blackberry, and carried my visiting cards along.
And as I drove from the office for the last time, I cried. With sadness for the friends I left behind. With happiness for the new life I was approaching. As tears flowed, a voice rang loudly, “YOU DID IT, YOU REALLY DID IT!!”
I stopped my car. The realization dawned. I had broken free. I felt like a Caterpillar transforming into a butterfyl. It was painful. It had taken me 3 long years.. It had taken all my strength and more.
I examined my new found wings, wet from the transformation. They felt strange, and I didn’t know what to do with them. And the voice rang again, “YOU ARE READY TO FLY!”
And I flew, drying my tears, racing my car to My new life….
My NEW life…It has more meaning now, as I am also nurturing it within me.
My wings are now dry and I am accustomed to my new body, mind, heart and soul. So what have I discovered in the past 30 days?
I discovered how it feels to not get my salary at the end of the month. And it didn’t feel that bad. :-). Ok it just hurt a bit!!
I have learnt to be my own boss, my own mentor, and my own motivator.
I have learnt to navigate through my own highs and lows of working from home.
I have discovered the joys of being around my son, basking in his radiant glow as I pick him from the school bus.
I have discovered the happiness of going back to my B-school and teaching students. And that it’s neither as easy nor glamorous as it looks.
I have re-discovered the joy of being a student again. To go through the ups and downs of learning, challenges and fun.
I have learnt to relax and let go, and just be.
I have learnt that it’s ok to slow down, sometimes due to my physical health, and sometimes due to my mood swings.
I have learnt that setting up a business takes patience and time.
But most of all what I have learnt is to appreciate each day as it comes. It may be spent in doing something productive or maybe nothing at all. Yet, it serves a purpose, as long as it takes me even one tiny step closer towards my goal.
And yes, to be grateful and honored to have the chance to live my NEW LIFE. It has its challenges, but somehow they seem to melt away. Maybe it's because I never lose sight of WHY I chose my NEW LIFE. Or then again, maybe it chose me.
