So here we go again…another year under a considerably broader belt 😉 Isn’t it wonderful how the years have been expansive in addition to everything else?
I had thought of what I wanted to say and it was pretty much the same stuff I say every year around this time. Then an hour ago, I listened to this talk by Nigerian author Chimamanda Adichie entitled The Danger of a Single Story and she blew me away with her eloquence and the simple lucidity with which she articulated her thoughts. She was brilliant and the subject matter intriguing. She talks about how we cannot know a place or a person unless we know all their stories – and there are many. How we can dispossess and diminish people by concentrating on just one of their stories, when empowerment and humanity are just another story away. What she said isn’t new, but the way she said it was powerful and I listened spellbound. She’s a fantastic storyteller. If you have a few minutes, give her a listen. You won’t regret it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D9Ihs241zeg
And so naturally I began to think of all the different stories that make me who I am today and that continue to evolve around and within me shaping my tomorrows. There are ongoing sagas and a million short stories. There is poetry and farce. It’s part soap-opera and part fairy tale. And at the very heart of it all is me – just another little speck of dust whirling away in the Big U – following my own orbit and trying to figure out ‘What Next? What’s the next story?’
And I find myself asking that now – what is that next story? But it’s mostly rhetoric, you know what I mean? It’s what makes this journey exciting – the not-knowing! So although there are a few stories that even now are unfolding and others that lie nascent – all I want to do today is be thankful for all of them. And I want to thank my friends and my family for allowing me into their lives, their hearts and their stories – cause that is what I am – the product of a million different tales. I am honoured and I am grateful. It’s been wonderful and it’s been worth it 😀
And if you still haven’t wished me – well that’s a whole ‘nother story 😉 😛
Have a Happy Day People ❤
Here’s to Stories & Storytellers everywhere 🙂
H is for Happiness 
Lovely post! Many happy returns of the day Harsha! Lots of love to you, today and everyday xxx
Thanks Anshu 🙂 I was really inspired by Adichie’s talk…and began thinking of stories which are never far away anyway! Love you too ❤
From one storyteller to another….happy happy to you!! Thank YOU for being part of so many of my stories, and thank you for letting me be a part of all of yours…..it is a privilege!
As for this—> ” I began to think of all the different stories that make me who I am today and that continue to evolve around and within me shaping my tomorrows. There are ongoing sagas and a million short stories. There is poetry and farce. It’s part soap-opera and part fairy tale. And at the very heart of it all is me – just another little speck of dust whirling away in the Big U”——–I wish I had written this as the tagline for my blog! 🙂
Hope you have a wonderful day full of love and good health and warm wishes….and prezzies and cake of course! Here’s to an exciting year chockfull of stories. And here’s to you finding the time to tell them 🙂
Big hug! xxx
Thank you my sweet! Love you M 😘😘😘 You know me – not really the mushy type – but I think old age is finally catching up with me, coz I find myself tearing up at all the love I’ve been blessed with! My wish for myself mirrors yours…I hope I find the time but more importantly the discipline to write regularly 😛
Wrote this after listening to Adichie’s speech…isn’t it amazing how the Big U always, but always has our backs?!! 😄👍
Well, I sat on this reply for a while, because Munira came along and said all the good words – or so I thought until you replied to her. Now all the good words are officially taken 😉 So, I shall go with:
May you continue to share many, many stories my friend. Thank you for joining mine, and becoming part of them, too. I feel blessed to have met you, even if it’s “just” onine. Much love on your day!
Aaaaw Heather! You always always say the nicest things 🙂 The best part of blogging, apart from the outlet it provides is the connect it has helped me make with people like you and Munira – people who would otherwise have been lost to me! It’s the Big U at work again, sending me everything I need!
Isn’t Adichie special?! I must confess I’ve never read her and now I can’t wait to! Keep telling your stories. They make me happy 🙂