A famous Bollywood actor stands in his signature stance and delivers an epic dialogue in one of his hit movies. Loosely translated it goes something like this – they say that if you truly wish for something from the bottom of your heart, then the entire universe works with you to make that wish come true.

The first time I heard it, I fobbed off the words just like any other Bollywood exaggeration that sounds dramatic at that moment when you watch the film, but extremely cheesy later.

But when my journey of writing unravelled itself like a wish coming true, suddenly it was not so cheesy at all.

A friend who started off on a dream of her own, a friend who was a soulmate in the journey of writing, a friend who begged me to let Anandhi marry Subbu and not Karthik because she couldn’t imagine Anandhi marrying anyone else, a veritable army of family and friends who actually took the time out to read what I wrote and were brutally honest and forthright with their feedback… everything came together to kick start my journey to becoming a writer.

It was one of those wishes that I didn’t even know I had. The universe seems to have known before me how therapeutic and how fulfilling it is for me to put thoughts into words and let them lead me where they may.

It’s definitely not been a journey without hiccups. I’ve made a lot of mistakes too. Taken a lot in my stride as part of my learning experience. Been in the middle of a controversy which showed me the real power of the pen and how it can inadvertently hurt when you meant for it to bring people together. Incidents that humbled me as a writer, made me realise what a long journey of self-discovery I’ve embarked upon.

I’ve discovered Appa is my biggest inspiration to write. The nostalgia that the memories around him evoke are unparalleled to anything else I write. Speaking of nostalgia, I seem to get a lot of my inspiration from the past, from an era long gone but still lingering in the recesses of my memories, some pleasant, some not so much.

I’ve realised now that I have to welcome it all with open arms. Embrace each memory whether it brings joy or pain. Explore each thought, whether positive or negative. Take every path that my heart insists to walk on. It makes me feel vulnerable and empowered all at the same time.

I don’t know what the future holds. But I do know I am grateful for every opportunity to take a thought and put it into words. And above everything else, grateful for every one of you who takes the time out to read. Thank you!

Illustration Photo Credit – Yos Photography