autobiography of a bangle
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It all started with my box of bangles. I was fond of bangles as a child, but there was something peculiar about that attraction. I was enthusiastic about collecting bangles and not wearing them. My grandmother got bangles for me every weekend under the false impression that I liked to wear them. Each time they were of a different color and texture. The brightly colored bangles inspired my imaginative thinking, and I began to have creative ideas about playing with those bangles. I would go on for hours talking to myself and being the bangle seller and the customer at the same time. Countless hours ensued in this playful activity, but there was never a dull moment! One day, I declared to my parents that I would like to sell bangles for a living. This remark was not taken seriously by my parents.
As I look forward today towards my occupation of being a physician assistant, I reflect upon the idea of being a bangle seller. We live in a fast paced world of modern science and technology. Our needs and desires are never ending. Moreover, there is no sense of satisfaction with the fulfillment of our needs. We are always wanting to have more in every aspect of our life. Many questions arise in my mind when I meditate on these thoughts. Am I satisfied with my life? Am I enjoying everlasting peace and happiness? Is happiness all about being successful in life, fulfilling our desires, or is there something more to it?
My life as a bangle seller would be peaceful. My wages would be meager. I may have frugal skills, but I would be happy and contented in leading a simple life. I would have the liberty to roam in the woods, get to know people in the town and share my joy and happiness with them. I would not be overburdened by responsibilities besides taking care of my family. It is an Indian tradition that on the day of the wedding, the bride and all other women related to her, wear a new set of colored bangles. Like all other bangle sellers, I will be able to make each Indian wedding colorful with my bangles. In addition to that, I would enjoy the temple fairs and sell bangles to women in those fairs.
Even though, many believe that bangle selling is a dying profession, it is still very prominent in rural India. Happiness comes from giving, and I believe that nothing can give me more joy and peace by delighting Indian women and daughters with a colorful set of bangles.
I would like to end this blog post by adding a verse from the poem “Bangle sellers” by the Indian poetess, Sarojini Naidu.
Bangle sellers are we who bear
Our shining loads to the temple fair…
Who will buy these delicate, bright
Rainbow-tinted circles of light?
Lustrous tokens of radiant lives,
For happy daughters and happy wives.