யாழ்பாடினி

  What would you do if you suddenly realise that you are no longer the talkative, funny, outgoing person you thought of you? I thought it was just because I migrated and living in an alien environment. I pushed myself too much and got frustrated. After a couple of years of struggle, one day, when I was in my thinking mode, I figured out that I was never an extrovert. It's just that my family, friends and well-wishers made me feel like I was one 😅 It is okay to be yourself- not having a big group of friends, not enjoying parties, spending much time yourself, being a good listener rather than a speaker, having book companions, wondering all alone, working behind the doors, texting instead of calling, and talking about life and universe with your besties for hours rather than talking about fashion and movies.  This book is a comfort zone for introverts and ambiverts. My thought is that it may be one phase of our life. We may change. But, it's perfectly alright to be different......

Collecting seashells was my childhood hobby. It is still. The only thing that has changed is the way I see the seashells. In my childhood, they were mere ornaments. The last time when I was at Brighton beach, I went on collecting them with Kumaran. I brought them home and sat looking at them for a while. Each of them seemed unique. They looked like they had a story to say. They had a life before. They had a journey I never bothered to know. They were the messengers of oceans. I was at Altona beach last week. It was smelly, the colour of the water has changed, no seashells around, but I found bits of plastic. Not a surprise, it is closer to the industrial area. Here I have put together those seashells and bits of plastic together on my painting to remind me again that ocean lives matter. 

On the left, 'Colors of Chaos', on the right, 'Colors of Calmness', and in between, 'Life of Us'. Those who know me well can point out which side of the 'Life of Us' canvas represents me 😜 There is no straightforward 'happily ever after' like they say. Married life takes understanding, patience and continuous adjustments besides love as we both learn to live together. Make lots of mess and say peace ✌