From The President's Desk

Source

I came across a new word a few days ago- 'nefelibata'. It means 'a cloudwalker' ; a person who lives in the clouds of her own imagination or dreams. I was really intrigued by the word. We dream a lot, don't we? Imagine a zillion situations for ourselves and try to live each one of them in our minds and dreams. Some dream of being born as a princess and twirling in the ballroom dance with a handsome suitor, while some dream of being a savage fighter who fights the evils of the world. Some dream of meeting the star-crossed love of their lives. While some dream that their favourite book or movie becomes a reality and they play the part of the protagonist. Let's just say, that whichever movie we watch, or book we read, there's some character that we wish to become, that we try to emulate. We all dream and envisage a future for ourselves- it might not appear pragmatic some times, but that's okay.

When I say this, the words of Ralph Waldo Emerson come to mind. He said, "Dare to live the life you have dreamed for yourself. Go forward and make your dreams come true." Somehow these lines are impregnated in my mind and I keep repeating them to myself. DARE TO LIVE THE LIFE YOU HAVE DREAMED FOR YOURSELF. Merely dreaming about our future won't lead us to that future. Merely dreaming about our dreams won't lead to the fulfilment of those dreams. We need to take steps forward and towards those dreams and make them come true. We need to believe in ourselves and in our dreams. Many people live their entire lives compromising and settling, without daring to take the risk to fulfill their dreams. You can see the weight of the pain on their bodies. Those once sparkling eyes don't sparkle anymore, that once chiming laughter doesn't chime anymore. Life is not a blessing for them but a drag.

These are difficult times. The world seems to stand on a ledge and the only way out seems to be jumping off into the abyss. But let's not focus on jumping right now. Take a step back and breathe. Feel it filling your lungs. Feel your heart thumping against your chest. Every new heartbeat you feel, it's a chance to a new life. It's okay to be scared, to be uncertain, to be devastated. Roads are meant for the journey not the destination. So, dare to start the journey. Dare to smile contentedly. Dare to dance in a crowd and dare to speak up when everyone around you turns mute. For you are so much more than blood and bones and flesh. You are composed of stardust and magical and mystical elements. You only have to BELIEVE and DARE to be the best version of yourself.

Trust the universe, they say

Worldly things don't happen by chance

It's like an act on stage at play

On ornate floors where people dance.

A stardust constellation of people,

Riding high on life

Like some dilapidated prequel

To an unending soul-strife.

But no matter what, don't lose faith,

When the world clammers you down.

Waiting in the infinite abyss, your future wraith,

Don't get scared or frown.

But laugh a hearty laughter

And flash your sparkly smile

Confidence is what you should chase after

The chase would be worthwhile.

Gauri Shukla

President

Redstockings Literary Society