Remember Who You Are, Kid

The title reminds me of Mufasa saying a similar phrase to Simba in ‘The Lion King’. I even read it in my mind with Mufasa’s grandfatherly voice.

I have stepped off the usual path that people take. And I have a not-so-standard dream I want to achieve. Initially, I was very confident about it. No one could stand in my way, not even people who are supposed to be the closest to me.

But as the days went by, my resilience cracked with the number of stabs it had been taking from people close to me. And I was feeling the weight of it all. Confusion and doubt crept in. I was seriously second-guessing my dream.

And it made me feel sick. Then I realised, why am I even giving a thought to what people say to me? I am supporting myself. I’m not dependent on humanity. I depend on God.

There is a nagging thought – ‘Your dream depends on someone else following through on their word’. And this was getting me down. Then I realised I was told by this person that they were going to do it anyway.

So why am I stressing about it? I will hold up my end of the bargain. And seriously, like seriously, is the world going to end because I went off the beaten path? No, it won’t. In fact, my life will have more meaning to it.

Throughout these few months, I have realised one thing – it is a realisation that really cut me deep. Many people, including the close ones, loved my title and salary in the corporate world. It became synonymous with my personal brand.

And now, since I left it behind, it is very evident that they miss it a lot. But in the process, when I see their reactions and opinions through my eyes, it hurts. Doesn’t me as a person, my life, mean more to them than a title and money?

It has been a good eye-opener. People hide behind the excuse – ‘It is for your own good. You don’t know what you are giving up’. Well, guess what – I know exactly what I am giving up.

This entire chapter in my life feels Biblical. Only God and I are in on it. The dream, the life – I have got to see it through. I have no choice. God has called me to it. So, when people try to steer me away, it is absolutely useless.

I am finally on the path that God intended me to be on. Both professionally and personally. I have no choice and am at peace with it. This is exactly the way.

I had to take the exit from the highway and get onto the scenic country road.

I am exactly where God wants me to be and right on time.