THE GIRL WHO JUST DONT GIVE UP
To all the people who are growing up in an unequal world which simply dies not recognize or celebrate their uniqueness....
It is not every day that an auditorium full of eminent people mostly in their 40s who have carved their own niche in society , will listen with rapt attention when a teenager is delivering a speech.
but then , AISHA CHOUDHRY is no ordinary teenager and her speech, delivered at a high profile TEDx event in Pune .
While the eighteen minute TEDx talk was an eye opener in itself, what made it even more compelling was the fact that the teenager who delivered it actually was on an oxygen tube that helped her to breathe while she took on that task. It has been her constant companion for the last few years because she has been largely dependent on after she developed a debilitating condition called PULMONARY FIBROSIS that reduced her lung function to just 20% of what it should have been .
She is an artist of remarkable talent and an individual of remarkable fortitude and wisdom. I would like to share with our readers the videos of Aisha Chaudhary – and also the life lessons that I think each one of us can learn from this positive little individual.
1. Happiness is a worthy life ambition
When we say ‘ambition’ we tend to think of a career, success and recognition. Certainly each one of us should strive to be as successful as possible within our chosen spheres, but the ambition of ‘merely’ attaining happiness is a very worthy one too. When you think of it, isn’t all ambition geared towards feeling happy? If you want to be rich, famous or successful, you want these things because you believe they will make you happy. So really the ultimate goal of life is happiness – or at least it should be.
2. Optimism is always an option
Your doctor could tell you that your new born baby has less than a year to live. Or you could be told that you have to live the rest of your life with terrible disease. You could decide that things are hopeless, or you could decide that you choose to grab whatever hope is held out to you. There is always something positive in each situation. Sometimes life seems to ask me to choose between the devil and the deep blue sea. But even in the grimmest of situations, there is some hope.
3. The power of the mind is limitless
Human beings have a tremendous ability to achieve what we set our minds on. The power of the mind can cure illness – the efficacy of placebo medications is an example of this. We have that ability within each one of us: to defeat the odds and accomplish that which seemed difficult; even impossible.
5. You are never too young to be wise
Aisha Chaudhary is 17 but she is wise way beyond her years. She has sorted out life in ways that most older people can only hope to do. Wisdom is not about the number of years we spend on earth, but about the way in which we utilise the time we have here. And yes! There is no indignity in accepting the wisdom and insight of a person we perceive as young and inexperienced – a small child can teach us a thing or two about honesty, about embracing the joys of life, of loving unreservedly.
6. Anyone can dare to dream
So what if you have a life threatening condition, struggle with financial difficulties or have any number of other problems. You can still dream to achieve what you desire. Just because you and I may be hamstrung with seemingly insurmountable problems, you and I don’t have to give up on our dream; give up on life!
7. Problem or Opportunity? You choose
As Aisha Chaudhary turned to art when she was in a wheel chair and unable to participate in normal activities that kids around her took for granted, so can we transform a problem into an opportunity. It all depends upon our perspective. We could look at a broken leg as a terrible misfortune that keeps us from a normal life or we could look upon it as a wonderful opportunity to listen to music, read books and watch movies that we’ve been meaning to – things that we didn’t seem able to find time for otherwise.
8. “Why Me” is a Futile Phrase
No matter how terribly unfortunate you think yourself to be, no matter how terrible your affliction, someone else is sure to be worse off than you. Self pity is not only futile; it is a most unattractive quality. People who might otherwise sympathise will reconsider their compassion – surely if you’re giving yourself that much sympathy, you will not need more from others!
AISHA HAS USED A PHRASE TO DESCRIBE HER OWN JOURNEY - "SINGING IN THE LIFE BOAT". THE ART GIVES SHAPE TO THAT PHRASE. THE WAVES ARE SWELLING TO SWALLOW THE BOAT WHICH IS STILL SAILING HIGH AND AISHA (THE CAPTAIN OF THE BOAT) IS DEPICTED AS A MUSICAL NOTE. ITS GENTLE CURVES RELATE TO THE FEMININE PERSONALITY AND ALSO WITH THE CENTRAL THEME OF THE PHRASE. ALL THIS IS HAPPENING BELOW THE GENTLE ARC OF THE STAR FILLED SKY. THE STARS ARE THE PRECIOUS MOMENTS OF HAPPINESS AND SELF-DISCOVERY IN THE REIGN OF DARKNESS.
