The very thought of writing about the decade brought a question mark to my mind. The first three days of the #decadebloghop and even while writing the rough draft something echoed repeatedly.
\’What did I do that is worth looking back down memory lane?
Answering this was more challenging than writing it as a post. I know this sounds funny but this is the unshakable truth. Fasten your seat belts and get ready for time–travel with me.
2009 &10:The most important decision was about to turn my life around when I bought my ticket to Chennai. This city nurtured me from being a tiny sapling to a plant again welcomed me back after two years with my dad\’s support. I started pursuing my food and process engineering and each day meant a new experience with an interesting mix of classmates from different parts of the country. Apart from the fact that being back in Chennai brought me happiness, the college and its exposure gave me confidence and positivity. Although I was an average student, I enjoyed giving PowerPoint presentations (I think my right brain did this magic like others said) It in someway groomed my teaching and presentation skills and I never knew it was going to help me later in life.
2011: Although I brushed up my Hindi in the final year for the reason that it is an addition to my skills, I never made an effort to speak because I believe each language has its beauty and I should converse only when I am pretty confident about it. However, my English was good enough that there was no need for another language. I had perennial love for these three languages (Tamil, English, Hindi) from my childhood days. I can fluently write, read and speak in all the three languages today and this helped me drastically when I made the first tiny step towards my blogging journey.
6th June 2011 I was listening to a show on the radio early in the morning. The person who hosted the show spoke about the mercy of God and played a soulful song. This is what motivated me to think about it until I published my first ever blog post at almost midnight on the same day.
2012: It was a great year indeed except for the fact that it was my prefinal year and the thought that I would have to leave Chennai after a year did trouble me sometimes. If you ask me why I loved the city so much I can give you an unambiguous reply that I grew up seeing the city grow immensely. Today the city is adorned with big malls like Phoenix but years back Spencer Plaza was the only shopping destination. A movie in the weekend and dinner at Rathna Cafe with cousins and family and a mouth-watering chole bhatura at the drive-in restaurant on Mount Road once in a while meant happiness that only a 90\’s kid who grew up in Chennai can relate to.
2013: It was a year I happened to discover my potential as an individual. I had no option but to do my final year group project all alone. Initially fear entered my heart because four classmates were doing a project together. With God\’s help and support from my elder cousin who edited and helped me prepare the final report. I learned a lot and thanks to my friends who gave me a chance to explore my strength. It was a real achievement when my class in charge addressed me as the \”solo performer.\’\’ Even today my love and thirst for food technology are at its peak because of the confidence and knowledge I gained while doing my project single-handedly. All that happens with the will of God has a blessing within. When you stand up strong and bang hard and harder the door of success eventually opens.
2014: When I graduated my dad was not keen that I make my career in food technology. My story was not like “ three idiots”but with a twist dad always said, \” I educated you so that you can educate your children in future. I have never fought for anything in life including my professional career because it was never in my nature to do so. So I Gave up for I loved my dad more than my professional career.
2015-2017 As I found my life so stagnant I thought of giving it a kick start once again. I pursued a Masters in Business Administration and as I belonged to a business family this post-graduation gave me knowledge of the business world that I needed to know. After that, I realized even God was not yielding to my dream career in food technology when I was not able to attend my final interview due to unavoidable circumstances at home.
2018: This was a complete year of rejuvenation, that was when I rebooted the food technology blog that I started in 2014 which was more like fresh coffee beans just harvested into a perfectly brewed filter coffee.
2019: This was when I saw the sunshine in my career. It was divine intervention that I got to work as an online teacher at an (NGO) organization that imparts quality education to rural schools in India. My brothers inspired and encouraged me with their kind words and my two cousins who I love to address as my best friends forever gave me support and made me feel blessed. The soul satisfaction it gives me can never be compared to any amount of material satisfaction in the world. From wishing my teachers at school on teacher\’s day to getting a wish from my students – what else I can say, life is indeed incredible. Blogchatter a writing community, gave me so many ways to groom my writing abilities. I participated in the A to Z Challenge in April and completed it successfully. The confidence it gave me is limitless and with that, I developed my personal blog into a self-improvement blog by adding inspirational stories to whatever I Write. I launched a WordPress site that dealt with food technology, health, and nutrition, and my perfect filter coffee made its name among the coffee lovers to my surprise. It was well-received by people in the field of food technology. The food technology career I thought that would never be mine, embraced me. This was when I realized the truth behind the fact \’ Even if you lock yourself in the midst of four walls your passion enters through the window.
The first-ever fiction story I wrote as a part of Blogchatter’s creative writing course was published and I became an author through their anthology e-book on October 5th, 2019. My army, as I lovingly address my brothers, cousins, and friends, both from college and the writing community were the people who encouraged me in this achievement. If you ask me what keeps me strong in my ups and downs in life, It is the love and belief that my mother holds for me in her heart.
2020:My dad is also a gem of a person, except for his support in my professional career. Even though he denied me to get a job, the reason for denial was love and his overprotective nature. A few days back some friends of my dad said \’how come your daughter is sitting idle after studying so much \’\’They started judging me and spoke less of my abilities even though they matter nothing to me. My dad said to me \’ Dear if you get a chance to work after marriage please go for it \’ these words are a gift I consider.
A big thank you to those who motivate me with words of negativity because you are the special people who make me better and better each day and I today have the power to derive energy from negativity and transform it into the positivity that dwells within me.
You are what you create with persistent effort even if you fall. Remember to rise up with enthusiasm and you will eventually discover the dormant power of yourself and ways to utilize it to make life better for yourself and others.
Never ever give up your professional career for any circumstance of life be it even if the most important people in your life like father, daughter, son, husband say to do so. Do not retire or give up unless you are done and fully satisfied.
Never say no to your passion,even profession has retirement but the passion never dies as long as we live. \”May your passion be the light within you and guide you throughout life.\”
I am not a great achiever or super talentedbut I hope my post for the #decadebloghop is a small journal of inspiration to at least a few. If that happened I will consider myself blessed. A thank you to each one reading this post. Special thanks to the hosts and the sponsors for this opportunity. -Thank you blogger #decadebloghop #RRxMM
This post is a part of ‘DECADE Blog Hop’ #DecadeHop organised by #RRxMM Rashi Roy and Manas Mukul. The Event is sponsored by Glo and co-sponsored by Beyond The Box, Wedding Clap, The Colaba Store and Sanity Daily in association with authors Piyusha Vir and Richa S Mukherjee”
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Dear keep writing such wonderful articles and keep pursuing what you love. Hope you have a wonderful decade ahead!!!
Keep writing and keep following your heart. The universe will definitely do the magic. Ruchi https://thevagabond.me
finding your true passion amidst the clouds of family and societal expectations is really difficult. I loved how u described your journey while enjoying the little moments in life and accepting it as it came. u didn't hold grudges against anyone..instead u embraced it all and shone like a bright star. i love how u emphasise on the importance of realising our passion and standing up for it..
Yeah! I agree, financial security also helps to follow your dreams and passion. So don't rush and jump in any situation or create any, without thinking the plus and minuses. I'm glad now you are following your passion. Keep doing the good work. Deepika Mishra
Such an inspiring journey! I loved reading about your experiences and what you learned from them. I am especially impressed with the gratitude you expressed…just goes to show that you are someone who learns even from negativity. And takes even failure as a stepping stone. An admirable quality indeed! 🙂
You are what you create with persistent effort even if you fall–so very true, and such a wonderful lesson learned from the decade!
You seem to have experimented with a vast number of things in the last technology. A masters in business, food technology, blogging and so on. You seem to be a person with a number of skills.
Great to see you following your passion. I faced similar questions from people because they thought I needed to have a corporate job (instead of doing something I love). Wishing you the best for this decade. May your dreams and aspirations come true. 🙂
This is no less than a short autobiography of sorts and I am sure along with us readers you relived all the events in a new light. All the best
Ranjani…. congratulations! Wonderful expression of your journey and glad that you never gave up. Janaki(@beyond_familiar)
Follow your heart, Ranjini, it will take you where you need to be.CheersMeena from balconysunrise.wordpress.com
Follow your heart and the rest will be taken care of. Beautifully articulated. Loved Reading your post. Best wishes !
Loved the line \”you are what you create with persistent effort\”. How true these words are. Loved your persistent efforts and also the fact that you never gave up on your food and technology career.Wishing you success and joyDeepika
You are what you create with your persistent efforts. This is the lesson i am teaching my kid.
I loved the thing while reading your post, you thanked the divine grace for everything. I am doing the same. One thing is engraved in my heart, the story behind starting your blogging. Best wishes for this decade and more power to your writing journey. 🙂
What an amazing journey. It filled me with hope and enthusiasm. I really loved the way you moulded your life in your own way. I m quite inspired after reading this.Thanks for sharing ..Good luck and best wishes !!
Thanks a lot
Thank you so much, 😊
Thanks a lot for your kind words 😊🤗
Thanks Deepika ji really means a lot 😊😊😊
I am thankful to life and to you😊
Thank you for your words of encouragement 😊
Just a beginner jai ji and this happened because God is kind😊
We all have our obstacles but we can outgrow them. Thanks a lot😊
You mean to say it was long. l I did not know how to cut it short😊thank you
Thanks a lot @janaki for taking your time to read and comment. 😊
Thank you @meena means alot😊
Piya thanks a lot and I very much appreciate your efforts.
Thanks a lot I am glad you loved my post and I appreciate your efforts.
Suha I know you are wonderful mom I am sure you will teach right things. Thank you 😊
Wow that is a beautiful comment thank you so much and I very much appreciate your efforts.
My purpose of writing this post is accomplished. Thanks a lot dear 😊😊😊
“Dreamers are Believers and Believers are Achievers”Your decade of journey proved the quote Ranjini, I truly believe in what you say, that Profession can retire, but passion never dies…. never ever say NO to your passion….yeahhh����Well written, best wishes to you for coming decades.Archana
Keep bloggingKeep writingKeep authoringWish you goodluck for an amazing decade.
\”May your passion be the light within you and guide you throughout life.\”You just gave me encouragement to follow my passion.. Loved reading about how you carved a life full of accomplishments for yourself..Impressive journey..Best of luck for your future endeavours…
Inspite of not being able to follow a career that was your passion you have made a name for yourself in another niche! It is rightly said 'when one door closes another ooens' Glad you opened that door and broke free!
Food technology is something which im hearing for first time. Glad to know. All the best for future
Loved your journey ad how you have crafted the post. Finding your passion amidst all the odds must not be easy, i liked how you sailed through and enjoyed the little things in life – Vartika
The little baby steps would take you to the highest peak in food industry one day. And, as you said never give up on your dreams again and you will have all the success. 🙂
As someone who is torn between two wonderfully fulfilling careers, I can completely understand where you come from. I hope you find success on your terms and in the profession of your choosing! Much love and luck!
Food technology, wow what a subject. Glad that you rejuvenated and lovely lines when you wrote – fresh coffee beans just harvested into a perfectly brewed filter coffee a perfect line by food tech blogger.You respected family expectations, never gave up hope and see universe came up to help you and achieve what you wanted. More brewing and positivity to you.
Loved your honest and inspiring post. \”You are what you create with persistent effort even if you fall\”. This line is just wonderful. You have respected people around and have been confident and achieved a lot. Hope the next decade gives you all the success and happiness.
I understand that girl who doesnt have it in her to oppose the world. It is how we are bred with so much love and protection that we do not fight the ones we have absolutely given our heart to and are our Gods on this earth even when they aren't absolutely right. I made a decision not to pursue my higher studies for similar reasons and got married instead! Hope you find your way to being more of yourself this decade. Also, at the risk of sounding rude, I would like to say dont ever wait to do anything until after marriage. For a girl, it diminishes your options, increases your household responsibilities and limits choices. For example, I wanted to go on a lot of treks. My mom said wait till you are married and go with your husband. And it's only been 8 years and 2 kids. Life has been really good to me but no treks. I think I got really preachy and long. Anyways Ranjani, I shall be signing off now.
Contrary to what you believe – I do believe you are super talented! Always keep writing and please don't put your dreams on pause till \”after\” marriage!
What a wonderful journey from a food tech professional to a food tech blogger. You have moved by leaps and bounds, found the things you love to do or probably they found you, and shown so much gratitude. Wish you luck and love always!����
Thank you🤗for your kind words that made me smile😊😊
Just my small step to move forward😊thanks a lot 😊I appreciate your efforts very much.
God is kind that gave me the way to pursue a career 😊thanks a lot😊
You can follow my blog @ sivalivesonblogs.com
You will become familiar with food technology 😊