What’s Stopping You?

Doing an executive MBA is not something that is extraordinary! I mean, people can and do. But in my case, it was extraordinary, not because it came along with balancing a 9–5 job with a 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. and beyond class, but it came at a time when I had decided to QUIT!

I had three surgeries back to back, including a brain surgery followed by a depression of one-and-a-half years because of complete right side facial palsy resulting in a permanent loss of smile. I battled rejection—from myself and others. I faced body shame (which continues even today), and I was dumped after a four-year-long relationship, all at the same time. I never thought that I would come out of this with flying colors. But, as they say, where there is a will, there is a way! Joining a prestigious business school, spending three years there, seeing the confidence in the eyes of the teachers (which I myself had lost somehow)…all of this transformed me! I will always feel short of words in thanking this wonderful place, which provided a platform to think big and to have an opinion on anything!

I always wanted to write and tell the world my “story,” not because I wanted to gain sympathy or to prove anything, but just because I feel that if I can do it, anyone suffering any kind of problem can do whatever they wish to achieve at any point of their life. You just have to believe in yourself, decide on what you want to invest in when the world seems to fall apart, keep yourself busy rather than being anxious all the time, and put your strong face forward the next morning even if you cried the night before,

JUST DO IT! Don’t pity yourself. Shit happens with everyone. It was you this time, and later it can be someone else. So, please stop waking up and wishing you would have been somebody else! Indeed, stay true to who you are, and be you! There are still many people who crave the life you have, be it a basic primary education for their children or food for just one day at a time.

Just make the hell out of yourself. Fall, rise, fall, and get back to work again. Emotional resilience is not built in a single day, but takes long-term investment. In my case, I invested in studies to challenge myself. I also invested in my health and building relationships with the people who mattered the most to me at that time. Also, do whatever makes you happy. I started traveling and reading a lot of good books on many topics that interested me. Don’t be too harsh on yourself. Spend quality time with people who lift you up. Be humble. Trust GOD. Treat yourself well. Love yourself but don’t live in a dreamy world. Life is unpredictable, so don’t take anything for granted.

I have came to understand that being in the moment, putting your best feet forward in one thing at a time, always trying to be the best version of yourself, and comparing yourself to your own being can do wonders. Be your own hero. After all, there is always a silver lining beyond the dark tunnel!

https://medium.com/@vandana.eil/when-a-brain-surgery-followed-by-facial-palsy-did-not-stopped-me-what-is-that-which-is-stopping-you-88128aeff5fa