I have been working in India for the past few weeks and I am back on the soil of the good old USA. The trip was thrilling and productive and the whole team brought their best game.

One particular bit of information stands out for me.

One of the members I met in India told someone that “Indrani was so normal and down-to-earth and we really got to see who she was.”

I was quite surprised as I never see myself as anything other than down-to-earth and me being me.

It was explained to me that the team in India did not know me as “me” but as a philanthropist who has invested in a project.

My photo is boldly displayed, (which kind of scared me, truth be told) and my bio is on the poster and I was simply a one dimensional character that blocked the doorway when they were in a hurry to get into the office.

I am glad I did not show up as that flat personality.

I greeted them with hugs and laughter.

We did the training and I burst into song and dance (caught of video, to my chagrin) and insisted that they all sing and dance with me.

We visited projects in the field and instead of sitting down as a proper lady should, I heard the singing and drumming and my Trinidadian feet just started moving to the beats. Soon the abuse survivors were up on their feet and dancing with me.

The Executive Director simply said, “What an ice breaker.”

I keep forgetting that there is ice to break!

I keep forgetting that people don’t know me as I know me.

And that is ok.

The only person who needs to know me is ME.

I need to remember who I am…

A survivor of abuse turned thriver in a full life.

A woman who dreams about ending abuse globally to women and children.

A person who has lived many years and has much love left to share.

As long as I remember these few tidbits, I will be ok.

My environments may change…
Houston
New York
New Delhi
Trinidad

AND I stay the same.

I laugh out loud.

I smile big and bold.

I see the divine in everyone.

A person on the trip asked me how it was that I don’t get sad with all the survivor stories and I said that I know their pain will go away so I focus on their courage and bravery and see only their divine selves.

This formula works for me.

When it stops working I will change it.

What’s your winning formula?

Tell us how it works for you.

Love and light,

Indrani