Theme Explanation: Duty

Dear Reader,

We all have goals and dreams, wishes and desires. We work towards them in the ways we know how, trip over ourselves, go backwards and forwards, and sometimes, completely unaware of what the path in front of us looks like. I often think back to when I was 18 years old, I had just made the decision to go to business school and was about to start college in the fall. I had lists and lists of things I was going to accomplish, organizations I was going to be a part of, I even researched online for hours, may I add, how best to study in college. When I got there though, my mental health took a massive turn for the worse. I was depressed. At first, I thought it was just the various situations in my life, but now being 25 years old, I can say that I still battle with the strings of pain I was combatting then. If you had asked me at 18 what my duty was, I would have said to be the most successful business woman I know, to be the "boss". Now, if you ask me what my duty is, I would say to be happy; to go through life and understand that the pathway to peace is one that you have to choose everyday.

This issue explores this concept with the use of several influential creatives in the South Asian space. We understand collectively that dreams and goals are important and that to strive and work towards them and ultimately achieve those goals brings the utmost fulfillment. However, is this your duty? Is your duty and purpose so known to you that you can package it into whatever business you're creating, whatever interests you are pursuing, the path you are on? Is that your purpose? Or is your purpose to smile every day, to feel the sun when you go on walks, to hug your family and friends closely? Answering what your duty is can be tough, but that's the point because maybe it isn't the work you do or who you are around, but rather choosing peace, happiness, and love with and without the success of our earthly goals.

By Janani