That advice changed me

By anusha chowdary

If we wake up smiling and joyfully, that entire day will be so good. But that's not the case earlier for me .I am used to wake up with a grumpy face, like all the misfortune in the world is being carried on my shoulders. Not with a particular problem, but my general demure was like that. My friends used to make fun of me for dragging my lazy body everywhere, and me being a big part pooper.

My mother took a bigger job on herself searching names that best describes me, only to her disappointment. Finally, she concluded that i am a specimen that needed a thorough research.

Well, now that's not the case. My friends think I am very affable and jovial. My mother says, an angel entered my body these days. yes, that one advice changed everything. A good stranger i once met in a park advised me ,that completely transformed me. like every other day, i sat on a empty bench in the neighborhood park hoping to escape the jog. A middle aged man sat beside me ,watching me for sometime.

Suddenly to my bewilderment, he asked" what's your age?!".

Women don't like being asked about their age, that too from a stranger, a big nope.

I hesitated. He reframed his question" did you cross your 30s?!".

"No" ,I shouted. He had his ways to make me speak.

" I am just 25" I broke the silence, i desperately hoped he would nod his head in agreement. But, he didn't, I think I know the reason. No one would believe it, if they saw me.

" Don't lie. You look like you are forty" he smirked.

I am lazy enough to move that damn body and give a hard punch to someone who dared to increase my age by fifteen years.

" No " I said. Anymore words would require more energy.

" Really. You gotta do some moves girl" he laughed so loud to alert everyone around.

I didn't respond. I think he understood my problem, he again slowly said" I am running a fitness Centre nearby. I want you to pay a visit sometime ".

But, who cares about a stranger advertising his outlet in such a gross way, I didn't.

Days went as usual ,waking up with a face that is so boring and unwelcome.

That stranger didn't leave me, not yet. I didn't know why he was so eager to show me his fitness Centre. I then decided to pay a visit, not out of interest but to escape from his constant pitching.

It was beautiful there, with so many young people laughing, talking and joking .There were a few middle aged women bending on their knees laughing so loud, like someone sprayed laughing gas.

The stranger took me to his cabin and gave me a few books on self help. He smiled at my surprised look and said" people who come here are all with some problem. Physical, psychological, obesity, emotion drain, they come with one or the other. But here we teach them gratitude, self love, how to cope with challenges".

He didn't ask me to join. He didn't preach to me to be a better person. All he did was to give me some good books ,which opened my eyes to a better world. Later I too joined that fitness Centre and made some very good friends. I learnt to appreciate my life as it is. Every night i write a diary Now i am waking up with a big smile on my face. Whatever is the situation, i am taking it as it is and trying to cope with it. I became a better person thanks to a stranger's advice. Few good books, few friends to laugh with and seeing how life is not all roses ,made me transform myself.

By anusha chowdary