#148, Pintueli Gajjar, A mother, biker and a photographer
My favourite quote from the book, Women Who Run with Wolves by Clarissa Pinkola Estés : ‘Within every woman there is a wild and natural creature, a powerful force, filled with good instincts, passionate creativity, and ageless knowing. Her name is Wild Woman, but she is an endangered species.’
“Be bold enough to live life on your terms, and never, ever apologize for it. Go against the grain, refuse to conform, take the road less travelled instead of the well-beaten path. Laugh in the face of adversity, and leap before you look. Dance as though EVERYBODY is watching. March to the beat of your own drummer. And stubbornly refuse to fit in.”
This has been my attitude in life. Ever since I was a kid, I was given a free reign by my forward-thinking parents who encouraged me to ‘go for it’ in life. No matter what I chose to do, my parents always encouraged me to do the best I was capable of. Coming from such an upbringing, I never have had to look back in life. An early marriage that didn’t last and with two kids to raise, as a single parent, I had an uphill task. But I took on life ‘by the horns’ and plodded on with determination and perseverance.
I know I am gifted … generously gifted. To name a few, I’m aesthetically gifted as an artist, have an ear for music, can multitask, write short stories and poetry, am self-motivating, can do wonders in a crisis, am compassionate towards animals and birds, have a green thumb, can cook fairly well, have a passion for hikes, bikes and the likes. I am daring and love challenges, love the outdoors and fear nothing.
Having had to miss out on a lot of passions due to other priorities in my earlier life, I decided to take early retirement from 22 years of teaching, to pursue my other interests in life. As women and home-makers, living for others 24x7x365, when do we enjoy our life? So, at 50, I left all work and took up other hobbies and passions with vengeance!
Biking came naturally as I loved bikes. With 2 Limca Records under my wings and the honour of being the only lady from Gujarat and a grandmother, crossing Khardung La, was a dream come true at the ripe old age of 53. Besides biking, which is my first love, I am an established watercolor artist, a keen photographer, indulge in poetry, and now I am writing a story for children.
Women in this country are basically free. It is only their own mindset which does not allow them to do what they want, keeping them locked in their comfort zones. Women must free themselves from such roles and venture out, spread their wings and learn to fly with their passions and interests in life. If not now, when?
Women should celebrate their womanhood. Just be who you are! A role model, be an inspiration, be your unique self, go forth and enjoy the journey of your life!
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