In The Midst Of “Only If”

Her mother always told her “Anaisha, you are Special”

But  she replied one day “Oh dear Maa, for you I might, but when I see myself from other’s point of view am “JUST NO ONE” “SO IMPERFECT”

So being a mother you might think I am “Special”, but open your eyes & see properly “Am so fat, have a dark complexion. The list is so endless.....Life would have been different:

Only if I was thinner like Neha

Only  If I was a bit taller like Jaya

Only If I had a fair complexion like Priya

Only If I had long  straight hair like Tina, instead of these curls

Only if I was born with a silver spoon in the mouth like Ashi

Only if I had blue eyes like Kajal

Mother stood up from the chair, came close to Anisha & said:

“Thank God you are not Neha; else you would have been on medicines lifelong due to being underweight” What you don’t know about her, she has been prescribed medicines lifelong due to the same.

“Thank God you are not Jaya, who always feels left out in the group for any activity since your friends ignore her because of her height, she makes them feel insecure. As a result, she doesn’t have many friends to hang out with.

“Thank God you are not Priya she suffers from a disease which makes her actually look pale, which you have mistaken as fair complexion. She has to use a lot of makeup to hide her actual skin color. She has been told to avoid staying outdoors.

“Thank God you are not Tina since she actually uses a wig to hide her actual thinning hair”.

“Thank God you are not Ashi since her father got recently caught in a scam, he is in prison & all their property has been seized by the court leaving no roof on their head.

“Thank God, you are not Kajal since she is slowly losing vision in one of her eyes, the doctor has suggested operation, but no guarantee of getting back vision in her eye. She might have to explore the possibility of looking out for eye-donor & since she has blue eyes, getting donor is more difficult

Her mother came closer to Anisha & asked “Have you ever wondered what your name means? We named you “Anaisha” because the word itself means “Special” & that’s what we believe you are.

What you also don’t know at the time when you were born there were too many complications with me as a result doctor told us it was a difficult case to save your Life. Doctors had very little hope of your survival, yet you fought so bravely & I still see that spark in your eyes beta.

You are just special the way you are, embrace your uniqueness instead of running behind something fake.

Don’t get in the vicious circle of “Only If”, else you‘ll miss on the blessings you have in your life.

Do something meaningful in your life, that people remember you for your deeds then your complexion, height, physique, etc.

Learn to celebrate your uniqueness and blessings

 So “Anaisha” do you still want to be “ONE OF THOSE” or “ARE YOU BLESSED BEING ANISHA,” her mother asked

With tears in her eyes, Anisha said “Thank you Maa, for letting me know “How blessed & fortunate I am for “Being me”. You saved me from getting caught in the vicious never-ending the circle of “Only IF”

Anisha hugged her mom & she said: “Am blessed to have you in my life Maa”.

The doorbell ranged, as Anaisha opened the door she saw her friends ( Neha, Jaya, Priya, Tina, Ashi, Kajal) standing at the doorstep waiting for her to join them.

The only difference was this time Anaisha looked towards them differently, the black spirit of jealousy/inferiority complex had gone off

She finally got herself off from the hook of “ONLY IF”