On being asked to introduce ourselves, most of us would answer where we work, our job profile, and often skip all the other dimensions of our personality. I believe all of us are multi-dimensional and have multiple skills to follow, practice and master. But alas, we are all so lost in our daily jobs that it has become our sole identity and not just a part of our life. Our lives have become centered around our job/business, leaving little or no scope for to pursue anything beyond it.
Passion could be anything and everything, as long as it is something that you enjoy doing; things which makes you feel content and happy. For me personally, it is about engaging myself in something which is beyond greed of money, fame, or any other materialistic stuffs. It is a 'me time' that I have rewarded myself or to be simply put - it is that part of my day/week when I can totally immerse in my thoughts without being worried about the outcome.
Being influenced by celebrities, leaders and influencers alike is too cliché. So today, we will read and celebrate stories of ordinary people (in no particular order) who happen to live their life extraordinarily. Their life is extraordinary because they are willing to find time out of their busy schedules and pursue their passion. They are as ordinary as me and you but are tremendously self-motivated to prioritize their love for passion and feel fully alive.
Anshuma Poddar - Zumba Instructor, Nutritionist, Author working at a US MNC
Anshuma lives a multi-dimensional life, honing and mastering multiple skills. She has always been motivated towards doing more than just her day job. From early days, she has been into giving tuitions. Socially, she has rendered various CA lectures for e-commerce websites and worked on different platforms to spread financial literacy. All the more, she has even got a book published in her name.
Her latest addition to these skills is that she is now a licensed Zumba instructor and a nutrition coach, helping people achieve their fitness goals. On being asked about how does she manage time, she believes "if one really has the will, they always find a way. It is nothing very extra-ordinary."
Jaydeep Banik Mazumdar - Singer working at Intel Corporation
"Singing has always been my passion since childhood. Hence, it was a no-brainer for me to enroll for music classes as soon as I got my first job at Intel. The two years of COVID presented an unique opportunity to finally pursue my passion in singing and make up for lost time. On a daily basis, I do my riyaaz in morning to improve my fundamentals in hindustani classical music and reserve late evenings for singing lighter forms of music. All these helps in increasing vocal stamina, pitch, texture, etc. Subsequently, I have signed up for guitar classes to further enhance my musical skills.
Although, it does get hectic at times but the occasional praise I receive from social media or from performing at office functions keeps me going. Music actually adds meaning to my life."
Supriya Bajaj - Social worker, Dancer working at Deutsche Bank
"Life is too short to be selfish.
As we keep getting older, we do not regret doing things done, rather we regret not doing few things. I work in a MNC and like most of us around there is nothing to regret or to be specially proud of. So, I engage myself in lot of other activities and amongst that, the one closest to my heart is my association with NGOs. I regularly work with two NGOs, who work in the field of education, development and support of students. Whenever I meet these under privileged children and am able help them in any way, I feel a sense of satisfaction which I don’t receive from doing anything else.
These children need a lot of care and support but it means the world to them even if someone even lends a ear to their problems. For me it’s a privilege to be able to help needy."
Aayush Agrawal - Poet, Writer working at HUL
"Writing for me - is an escape. It is not an escape from the normal - but an escape to the normal. It adds a calming presence in my life, calms me to the core - especially when things get overwhelming. Writing is not something for which I need to take some time out - it just comes naturally to me.
Although I have never specifically allotted time for writing down a poem/shayari but if I were to start taking it as a habit and devote time, it just wouldn't work for me at least. I would lose my natural flow. Nonetheless, the whatsoever little time I spend on writing, they are my cherished moments - I will always be grateful for it without any regrets."
Agnieszka Przystalska-Mazur - Wine Expert working at Zilch, UK
"During the first lockdown of 2020, homebound, I discovered my love and passion for wine tasting. So much so that I even found a school in London that delivered classes via an online webinar, and delivered wine samples to my home! And then it started - weekly classes that made me feel like I’m back at uni! I learnt so much about wines and vines, how varieties are different too each other, what climates they like etc. What makes Sauvignon Blanc grown in New Zealand to that grown in France? All with tasty wines – and it’s not just an excuse for drinking (as some of my friends suggested!), it’s a real passion to this day!
Now I simply wait for weekends and holidays to venture out, experiment and improve my tastebuds in wine. This has now provided me with something to look forward to in my life."
Purpose is not to pressurize you to find and pursue a passion. It's completely fine to not have one. But if you do have one, please stop making excuses like lack of time and get down to pursuing it. Remember - for we may die only once but what's in just breathing, if we are not fully alive..