Written By: Shayanika Suresh
I was gifted a book for my birthday this year by a dear friend who has been my biggest support system and guide in my most depressing moments. This book was perhaps the one thing that any aspiring author, like me, would need. Chicken Soup for the Soul: Inspiration for Writers is its title, and sure enough, it has inspired me to write this piece. The book begins with a quote, by Mary Manin Morrissey, “You block your dreams when you allow your fear to grow bigger than your faith”. I cannot tell you how applicable this is in your life, but it certainly describes mine.
Take writing for example. I know I love to write, and I always have. But, am I good at it? That question has crossed my mind too many useless times, and I am certainly not proud of it. This book, however, has made me realize that I am not the only victim of such thinking. Perhaps that was the purpose of the gift, and I am ever so grateful for it.
For many years, I shied away from socializing, hiding my huge plastic glasses behind a book, no matter where I went. I barely spoke a word in class, and muttered in response when I was spoken to. With my closest of friends, I would speak with enthusiasm, laugh out loudly but all that quickly disappeared in the midst of a stranger.
For those who know me now, I have clearly come a long way from the shy me, but my fears shift onto other subjects each and every day, and as such, every day is a fight for my faith. That which has captured my passion, I am able to conquer with ease, and that which I fear, I am imprisoned by. It is this fear, I have realized, that is my biggest enemy, and I am sure there are many more like me. To those like me, I write this piece. The first step to victory is overcoming your fears. The first step to overcoming your fears is to admit them. Open up to yourself. You need not tell the world, but don’t fail to tell yourself. Once you admit the fear is there, you will be able to take the next step to fight it.
Every day is a gift that has been granted to us. Yes, we often take it for granted, and we do not realize its value. But it really is a gift to live, and we are blessed to be able to live our dreams. So why should we let our fears stop us from living those dreams? Fear of losing, fear of dying. Who cares? Let the future be what it chooses to be. Live the present with all your heart, and work towards achieving your dreams. However far you go, that itself is an accomplishment worth celebrating.
Every day, I am pushed and driven by beautiful people in my life, to reach further and higher. To those people I am blessed to have in my life, this is my little thank you.
CTYA’s Blog has started a new feature every Thursday called ‘Thoondal’, meaning inspiration, stimulation, or inducement. Through these weekly features, the author hopes to inspire you, stimulate your senses and induce you to think deeply about the topics she addresses and finally, to use those thoughts to inspire many more wonderful youth like you.
About the Author:
Shayanika Suresh is a Law Graduate currently working on establishing her legal career. She is also a passionate writer and has self-published a collection of short stories, “Lips no longer sealed”. Shayanika’s passion to raise awareness of various social issues that affect individuals and society as a whole is evident in her work, leaving a message for the reader to take home.
Tags: Speak Out
