In a world that's constantly pitting people against one another, fuelling insecurities and benefitting off the misery of people feeling less than those they compare themselves to, unabashed self-love and celebration of what makes you, you, can sometimes seem like the most radical act of rebellion. After all, how often do we give ourselves permission to indulge ourselves in ways that are more meaningful than retail therapy? How often do we allow ourselves to bask in the afterglow of our own awesomeness? If you've ever struggled with self-love, acceptance and kindness for your own person, Sushmita Sen can teach you a lesson (or ten!)
It's impossible not to break out into an admiring smile while scrolling through her Instagram feed. Almost every post is a celebration of life's many gifts, happiness and bullets of wellness philosophy. If you're having a tough day at work, are feeling listless, or are generally dissatisfied with life, you need to follow Sushmita on Instagram. She mesmerised the world with her words back in 1994 (Who can forget her "essence of a woman" answer, so on point with the world, back then) and she continues to impress us with them, even today - albeit on a different platform.
Just this morning, she "welcomed" February in a style that's difficult to imitate, but we know we're going to try anyway. Like her long-time trainer Nupur Shikhare said on Instagram, "Faith is taking that one step, even if it's on the ceiling."
That time when she made us realise that even celebrities, with their charmed lives, grapple with issues a lot like us - the difficulty in taking a step back to regroup and move forward. The next time you're facing a crisis of confidence while trying to make a decision that's right for you, you might want to remember Sushmita's words.
And that other time when she lit up like a sparkler when she saw a child. Another throwback to her Miss Universe days, when she spoke openly and often about her love for children. Makes you realise, simple pleasures of life really do cost nothing.
The time when Sushmita gave us a timely reminder that taking care of your body and investing yourself in fitness is not just about building the body, it's about building your character and the person you want to be.
And the time when she reminded us of the truth we forgot, somewhere along the way while growing up: we don't need a reason to celebrate, we are the celebration!
We hear this often enough, but often tend to forget in the cacophony of life and all its demands: alone is a beautiful and powerful state, never to be confused with lonely.
Sushmita even sometime lets us sneak a peek into the world of joy that motherhood brings into her life, and the importance of looking at the world with a different perspective every so often - even if it turns your world on its head!
The reminder that age is just a number, a pretty shallow one, at that. What matters is if you are the person you want to meet, at every stage in life.
And another reminder to say thank you every once in a while, to whatever/ whoever it is that one believes in.
It was difficult not to feel overwhelmed while reading Sushmita's delighted words on turning 18 years old as a mother.
And finally, that time when she reminded us of the reservoirs of power, strength and courage that each one of us carries within herself.
Brilliant, isn't it?
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