Rose I am not, but I bloom still!!

I am dauntless, I am courageous- you stamp on me, you tread on me, you trample me- I still grow-tall and strong!!

I am that dandelion which fails to catch your eye like a rose, I go unnoticed, unappreciated...I still bloom and smile back at the sun nurturing me...You stamp on me- I gather my strength from it and bloom!!..I have a mission- I fulfill it everyday -you notice me or not!! I persevere each day, develop roots so deep that you stamp, I bloom, you stamp again, I bloom again!! I am  a winner!!!

I take strength from adversity, I endure hardships but still develop and grow,  I do not begrudge, I accept the challenge of life and smile still,  I fail to be crushed from within- you cannot crush my inner self!!!

I view this struggle as an opportunity- an opportunity to grow, to develop myself, to make my life beautiful and shine!! I win wherever I am, everyday!!

I am a true victor!!

I am not a martyr!! I am not a rose either!! I do not crave for appreciation!! I believe in myself, in my strength!! I still fulfill my mission, I will keep doing so- tirelessly, with a smile!!

I am that flower growing by the meadow - unnoticed , stamped, neglected- but still a victor, a true victor!!

Master of my emotions- I, me, myself!!

I was hurt.....Tears welled up in my eyes.....and all I wanted was to hit that man sitting right in front of me!!

I was shocked at how insensitive a person could be towards another fellow being!!

I was indulging in self pity and within a matter of 20 seconds, I had decided what I would do or not do going ahead...would not speak to him..would be indifferent....would get back at him at the first given opportunity.............

I cooled down...I am smiling...How kiddish I could be!!....

I heard my mind telling me it was my fault!!! I retorted back, "Mine?"

"Yes", came the reply...I was to be blamed...No one had the right to hurt or insult me unless I gave the permission...Would I allow a stranger to just walk into my house and rebuke me? So, how could I allow anybody to enter my life and affect me? The decision to be affected rests entirely on me!!....All I needed to do was shrug off the unnecessary and cherish the beautiful!!......

My happiness is my choice!!..independent of circumstances.....or people.....Whether I choose to smile amidst adversities or  I give up- all of it boils down to my attitude!!I need to expand my life and think beyond such trivial issues....I have so much to do...so many important things on my checklist...I have to try that new pastry in that shop around the lane, I have to possess a cute little puppy, I have to buy a scootie, I have to open my restaurant, travel around the globe......Whew!!! so many things yet to be ticked off!!

And I have to smile!!!

Aha!! that sounds nice, I told my mind. You have matured!!!...My mind said, "You better, too!"

True!! I realized that I had so little time and so much to do..Could I actually spare those 20 seconds moaning around for a person or an issue of so trivial an importance!!The answer is "NO".

I need to smile, I need to laugh and I need to say to that devil, "Sorry, you caught the wrong target!!"

"Thank You!", I said to that disheveled, dirty little brat with broom in his hand. "Good morning" came the instant reply. I smiled and saw his dirty but grinning face. His clothes were strewn with dirt, his face was unwashed and hair uncombed. With the broom in his right hand, he kept looking at me and smiling!

I was unsure as to which side the platform would come when I saw this little devil sitting near the gate. I questioned; he answered. I looked skeptical; he was confident. Sensing I was not convinced , he said, "Didi, roz is taraf hi aata hai". I smiled and he said that even he has 2 elder sisters at home. Like me. I smiled. 

I got down on the platform and looked back. He was waving. I waved back. He kept standing on the doorway waving, till he lost sight of me.

I don't know what touched me in those brief 5 minutes encounter. Was it his innocent smile?Was it his confidence with which he easily changed "Welcome" with "Good Morning"? Was it sympathy? I am still debating and keep remembering him.

I think it was his Spirit!!!

No complains despite having to clean the railway coach at that tender age, no complains of the poverty, no complains whatsoever!! Just that cheerful spirit!!

So many questions he left unanswered...what was his name....was he going to school....

I wish.....