When I was in school, I was unhappy I thought I had no extraordinary talent. I was neither a nerd who scored the highest grades in my class nor the talented all-rounder in extra curricular activities nor a sports person nor a singer/performer and off course not one among the most beautiful and popular girls. I danced only once in a group song of 54 students and was in the last line. I scored average marks and never ever sang a song. When I ran , even in small groups I always came last. I had very few friends and neither my presence nor absence made a difference
I was just an ORDINARY girl.
During my college days I read somewhere that all great people believed in " Doing ordinary things EXTRAORDINARILY". I started reading more about the journey of people, celebrities, authors whom I looked up to. I read more about their past before they reached the pinnacle of success. Their journey inspired me and gave me an inner strength. In this process I found answers to many of my unasked questions.
Yes I was too scared to ask anything then and now I can answers anything you ask fearlessly !
After attending around 6 to 8 auditions I was selected for the main lead in an Tamil movie 4 years ago in Jan 2010. Why I didn't do it, is another series of posts, till then you can keep guessing. I secured Distinction in all my Engineering Exams( B.E in Electronics and Communication) and did score 80% in my Masters ( M.E in Digital Electronics ) while I was working too. I would work Monday to Friday full time, and attend classes on weekends. Its my dream to get a Phd, the last degree on my list!
Some friends who know me, who really know me keep saying that am extraordinary and am gifted and a very talented person etc... I can keep my hand on my heart and say "I am just an ORDINARY girl, there is nothing extraordinary about me. I strongly believe I am extraordinarily ORDINARY. I am just like the other millions of girls who saw EVERY PROBLEM as AN OPPORTUNITY."
Convincing PROBLEM == OPPORTUNITY is the most difficult thing.. That what probably made you XtraOrdinary.
ReplyDeleteSo true
DeleteThank you for sharing your inspiring journey Ananya!
ReplyDeletewow thats an inspiring story :) :)
ReplyDeleteI loved this post for its honesty. Somewhere I could relate to it....to that ordinary girl. I guess she's there in all of us.
ReplyDeleteI can so relate to you about my school life.. Never ever scored a distinction, never was in extra curricular activities, i did sing once, in a choir group. I was noticed in school when i got jaundice a week before my 10th std board exams and scored a 80%..
ReplyDeleteOrdinary and extraordinary are the phases of life for everyone. For some it is in the school-going days, for some it is post retirement and for the rest it is the time in between. The point is duration. It appears to me that you are blessed by Jupiter, Mercury and Mars is also in a good position. occasionally great rush of anger may spoil everything, so watch out that. Meditation shall be of great help to you.
ReplyDeleteWe all have the ordinary girl in us, Ananya ! Just that some opportunities make us realise the hidden strength and we become extraordinary, because we unknowingly put a little 'extra' to the 'ordinary' that we are :) Honest post, Ananya !
ReplyDeleteIt is much more difficult to find happiness and satisfaction in ordinary things of life...and based on what I have read so far in this series, you seem to be extra-ordinarily good at finding happiness and enthusiasm for life and living, having such open-ness to new experiences and new opportunities. And the way you have overcome some big and small challenges in life is no ordinary thing either :) So enjoy the extra-ordinarily ordinary person that you are :) And good luck with the PhD!
ReplyDeleteIt's an inspiring journey, Ananya, where today you hold your destiny in your own hands like the globe of your life. I was also an average, in fact, below average in school and junior school but today, I am slowly finding my way and still struggling.
ReplyDeleteCheerz
I think it's all about accepting yourself as you are, and genuinely believing that every person is ordinary, but each person, including yourself, has some extraordinary qualities.
ReplyDeleteFor example, Sachin Tendulkar is an extraordinary cricketer, but most school teachers ('ordinary' people?) are much better teachers than he is.
Extraordinary people I believe go through extraordinary set of problems along with extraordinary success! I love being ordinary... Your post is quite inspiring- so is your hard work! All the best for your PHD! And may your list extends to post-doctorate ;)
ReplyDeleteTurning problems into opportunities requires lots of will power, strength and positive attitude. You have all the ingredients in perfect proportions :)
ReplyDeleteI am so touched and humbled by reading all your wonderful responses Thank you so very much !
ReplyDeletewow i think you have achieved so much in your life!You are extraordinary in my opinion.
ReplyDeleteInspiring journey, Ananya where ordinary people aspire extraordinary in life. I'm sure many of us will find inspiration in this amazing journey called life:)
ReplyDeletewell thats all it takes to see a problem as a oppurtunity to become Xtra-ordinary .. :)
ReplyDeleteBikram