Story: The art of being alive

Nirupti, a young woman from Illam district in Kathmandu, was known for her talent in performing arts. Her natural grace and captivating expressions captivated audiences, but she also had a quiet yearning to transform her passion from a mere hobby into a boundless pursuit. Her dreams soared as high as the Himalayas, and she longed to transform her passion into a lifelong pursuit. However, In the pragmatic realm of her parents’ world, where success was gauged by grades and secure professions, Nirupti’s artistic talents found themselves confined to the realm of extracurricular endeavors. Though her parents applauded her performances with pride, they gently nudged her towards pursuits deemed more ‘practical,’ harboring uncertainties about the viability of a career in the arts.

As the years went by, Nirupti’s fears grew stronger, wrapping around her dreams like climbing vines, suffocating them with self-doubt. Being the elder daughter in a middle-class family, she carried the heavy load of tradition and responsibility from a young age. But when she entered the corporate world, her dreams clashed with reality. Even though her stable job paid well, Nirupti felt deeply unhappy and lost. Every day, Nirupti faced a silent battle against the strong currents of societal expectations and family duties. The pressure to conform and sacrifice her dreams for practicality felt like an insurmountable mountain weighing down on her. Each passing moment added to the weight of her unfulfilled desires, pressing against her chest and suffocating her spirit. In the depths of her mind, she fought wars against doubts and insecurities, grappling with the fear of being judged as selfish if she dared to pursue her own happiness. Nirupti’s inner world became a battlefield, where her dreams clashed fiercely with her responsibilities, and the noisy chorus of societal expectations drowned out the whispers of her heart. She yearned to break free from the chains of convention, to chase after the fleeting visions of her dreams shimmering on the distant horizon. But fear held her tightly in its grip, trapping her in a life of silent desperation. Nirupti, was on the brink of collapse due to the weight of her unvoiced struggles. She felt the weight of her life as a facade, sacrificing her true self for others’ sake. Her struggle was not just about self-discovery but also a battle for survival against overwhelming expectations, where staying true to oneself felt impossibly costly. Her unspoken dreams burdened her heart.
One fine day Nirupti, walking through streets of Kathmandu, finds a hidden gem in a quiet flower shop. She meets Jimmy, a gentle florist with warm eyes, amidst the blossoms and raindrops. Despite his calm demeanor, Jimmy’s presence brings a soothing balm to Nirupti’s weary soul, bringing her a sense of comfort and happiness. Their first interaction sparked with Nirupti’s curious gaze at a vibrant bouquet, its colors swirling like reflections on water. Intrigued, she leaned in to listen as Jimmy expertly narrated the stories behind each bloom, painting vivid pictures of nature’s wonders. In the midst of their conversation, a connection blossomed between them, rooted in their shared passion for gardening and a mutual love for life’s little joys. As they chatted, it felt as though the barriers of solitude dissolved, leaving behind the promise of a friendship as lasting as the flowers that adorned Jimmy’s shop. As Nirupti’s bond with Jimmy deepened with love and respect, she found herself engulfed in a world where conversations flowed effortlessly, meandering through topics of art, cinema, and the profound beauty of life’s intricacies. In Jimmy’s presence, she felt liberated from the burdens of her corporate existence, relishing the bliss of being genuinely understood and valued. However, upon reentering the bustling crowds of Kathmandu, a veil descended over her, shrouding her true essence in silence. In those solitary moments amidst the bustling masses, Nirupti felt the weight of her responsibilities pressing down on her like thorns piercing her flesh. Nirupti grappled with the fear of failure and the inadequacy of her responsibilities. She feared she couldn’t provide for her family or ensure her brother’s education. These fears drowned out her dreams, and she believed that shirking her duties was a betrayal of her core values. In a world where middle-class survival meant balancing personal desires, she held the belief that fulfilling duties was the epitome of wisdom. In her view, true greatness lay not in chasing fleeting dreams, but in shouldering the weight of obligation. Nirupti found herself caught between the allure of freedom and the constraints of duty. In this struggle, she grappled with reconciling the dreams that whispered in the shadows with the tangible responsibilities that anchored her to reality. Yet, amid the turmoil of her internal conflict, one truth remained unwavering: her family depended on her, and she was determined to ensure their well-being, even if it meant sacrificing her own happiness. As Nirupti wrestled with the conflicting desires within her, Jimmy’s words reverberated in her mind like a beacon of hope amidst the darkness of uncertainty. “Dreams are not to be forsaken, Nirupti,” he had affirmed, his voice brimming with conviction. “They are the echoes of our true selves, urging us to break free from the chains of doubt and fear.
With newfound determination, Nirupti resolved to face her fears head-on. One day, lost in the whirlwind of her thoughts, the phone rang, jolting her from her reverie. It was the theater she had applied to long ago, offering her a role she had only ever dared to dream of. Heart pounding with excitement, Nirupti turned to Jimmy, her trusted friend, and poured out her inner struggles. His response was a beacon of unwavering support, strengthening her resolve to confront her family and speak her truth. Summoning all her courage, Nirupti gathered her family and shared her deepest desires. Shock rippled through the room, reflecting the turmoil in her own heart. Though uncertainty clouded their expressions, amidst the chaos, one voice spoke with clarity. We may not grasp the world of dreams as you do, Nirupti, her father’s gentle voice murmured, . “But one thing we do understand – you’re our child, and your happiness means everything to us.” despite their differing understanding of dreams. They shared a warm embrace and unwavering determination to navigate the unknown together. As Nirupti absorbed her father’s words, a realization dawned upon her. Sometimes, confronting our innermost feelings and desires, expressing our true selves, is not only acceptable but necessary. She understood that as long as she wasn’t harming or disrespecting others and upheld her own boundaries, it was perfectly alright to be true to herself.
In the days that followed, Nirupti embarked on a journey of self-discovery, gracefully balancing her newfound love for theater with her cherished responsibilities. With each audition and rehearsal, she felt her confidence grow, realizing she could pursue her dreams without losing touch with her roots. Every performance became a masterpiece, painted with strokes of passion and purpose, as she cast aside doubts to embrace her own potential. IN Nirupti’s journey, she came to understand that her parents’ concerns were not rooted in opposition to her passion but rather in their deep-seated worry about financial stability. Growing up in a rapidly changing world where money often reigns supreme, they feared that pursuing art and passion might lead to financial struggles, particularly in a country like Nepal . Nirupti empathized with their perspective, recognizing the harsh realities of life and the importance of financial security.
However, as Nirupti pursued her dreams, she also discovered profound truths about happiness and fulfillment. She realized that while money can provide temporary happiness through a materialistic lens, true fulfillment comes from following one’s heart and finding purpose in one’s passions. Through her own experiences and observations, she witnessed countless individuals trapped in mundane jobs, sacrificing their happiness for the sake of financial stability. She understood that it’s better to fail at something one loves than to succeed at something one despises. For Nirupti, this journey wasn’t just about following her passion; it was a testament to the resilience of the human spirit, a triumph of courage over conformity. As she danced beneath the spotlight of her dreams, she found her place in the world—a place where her true self echoed with clarity, illuminating the path to happiness and fulfillment. In her radiant triumph, Nirupti found solace knowing her pursuit of passion wasn’t selfish but a testament to the boundless potential within each of us. In the words of Forrest Gump, “Life is like a box of chocolates. You never know what you’re gonna get.” In Nirupti’s case, life offered her the chance to embrace her dreams, reminding her that the art of being alive lies in chasing those dreams while staying true to oneself.