Of tattoos & things!

When I was 18, I went to a tattoo parlor to get inked. I wanted my boyfriend's name and he refused (saying that it was bad luck). I browsed through the catalog, but couldn't pick any that I liked. Over the years, I have done an extensive research on tattoos around the world. Still, no luck.

FINALLY, I did decide on something that I am happy to look at everyday. It is small, personal and has a meaning for me.

My father died when I was in high school. Our world fell apart into a thousand pieces and my family has since been picking up the pieces. It has been ages, but life still feels incomplete. I am so blessed in my life, but I could trade all that in a heartbeat to go back and have my dad with us.

As I grow older, I have come to a harsh realization. I remember him less and less each year; his little quirks, how he used to speak, how he used to behave. His memories are slowly becoming a blur…..and it scares me! Not only just because I am forgetting my dad, but because I am forgetting my past. I am forgetting the person I was before I became the person I am today. Change is normally a good thing, but sometimes you need to hold on to the familiar things.

That’s when the idea of a tattoo came back. I WANTED, no NEEDED a reminder of life and love. The people in your life might not be there tomorrow, but the love will ALWAYS be there. The infinity symbol signifies eternity. The letters on the bottom of the infinity read ‘Prem’. It’s my dad’s name – both our names have the same meaning – LOVE.

So, my tattoo basically means ‘ETERNAL LOVE. It’s a small ode to my dad. My first love might have been lost, but lives for eternity within me.   

Lessons from 'The Lion King'

Yesterday, I went to watch 'the Lion King' at the Minskoff Theatre in New York City. This Broadway show had been on my wish list for a while and I am so glad I got to watch it. It was a visual treat; the colorful costumes, extravagant sets and exotic music added to the magical experience.

There were a few takeaways for me from the show:

1. Hakuna Matata

This Swahili phrase means 'don't worry, be happy'. It is such a simple notion, yet we always forget it. We're so busy in our rat race that taking a chill pill seems impossible. We're running after a good education, a good job, a good life...and forget that sometimes, the journey is more important than the destination. We forget how to enjoy the ride..and we forget to count our blessings. This saying reminded me that I need to stop, take a step back and be grateful for what I have. It also helped me remember that certain things in life are beyond my control and that I shouldn't waste my energy worrying about them. I should try to do the best with the things I DO have control over.

2. Your past will always be there; you can either run from it or learn from it.

If you don't know the story of the Lion King, it is about the lion cub Simba. He runs away from home since he thinks he is responsible for his father's death. Eventually, he comes to his senses and comes back to reclaim his rightful throne and home. What keeps him away for so long? Fear, embarrassment, doubt..

In our attempt to create a beautiful future, we sometimes try to alienate our past and dissociate from it. I know I did at times! But what we fail to realize is that we are a sum total of our past experiences, emotions and energies. Our mistakes and our failures make us who and what we are. If we stop running from our past and let it teach us valuable lessons, we will emerge stronger & better than before.

So, relax and enjoy the present!