Embracing My Shakti: A Journey of Resilience and Rediscovery
My name is Hima Arora, and I am an educator of English Language and Literature for the International Curriculum at Shiv Nadar School. I am sharing my story today because I believe that nothing can stop you if you have the will and desire to find your own identity and faith in Shakti, our mother goddess.
I was born on a cold December morning—back when December truly felt like winter—to parents who had married for love despite the disapproval of their conservative families. My father, an army officer, was frequently posted to remote locations, which kept my parents far from the watchful eyes of their families. They enjoyed an independent life for a while, and soon, I was born. Shortly after, my father received a field posting to Tanga Valley in Arunachal Pradesh, a place unsuitable for a baby. At just eight months old, I was left in the care of my grandparents in Dehradun.
During this time, my mother had to visit my father in Tanga Valley, leaving me behind again. Soon after, she became pregnant with my sibling, and it was decided that I would stay with my grandparents while my parents remained far away. Letters were the primary mode of communication in those days, and as a young child, I could neither read nor fully comprehend what was happening. I grew from a toddler to an adolescent with little interaction with my parents. While my grandparents showered me with love, I always felt like an outsider, especially in a household where my uncle and his family had their own lives.
When I was 12, my father was posted to Delhi, and my parents finally decided to bring me back home. However, the homecoming I had imagined was not the reality I encountered. Instead of feeling like I belonged, I quickly realised that my parents saw shadows of my grandmother in me—her habits, ways of thinking, and presence in my being. This reflection in me seemed to annoy and anger them, leaving me confused, hurt, and heartbroken. I constantly questioned why I was being treated like an outsider in my own family.
As time passed, I excelled in my studies, hoping that one day I would be known for my own identity—something beyond being just someone’s daughter or, eventually, someone’s wife. I had big dreams of carving out a space for myself. But destiny had its plans.
Soon after I graduated from college, I was married, and soon after that, I was blessed with two beautiful children. At the same time, I cherished my role as a wife and mother; the fire within me to be known for who I was never diminished. I longed to be independent, someone whose identity wasn’t defined solely by relationships.
At the age of 30, I made a decision that changed the course of my life. I enrolled in college again, taking up a teaching job at a playschool to fund my education. It was an overwhelming time—balancing the responsibilities of motherhood, work, and studies—but I was determined. That decision to pursue my dream of becoming an educator allowed me to reclaim my sense of self, and I have never looked back since.
Through the years, I’ve learned that while I may not always be the best when I start something, consistency and determination help me overcome even the most significant challenges. I discovered that embracing my inner Shakti—the divine feminine energy that resides within us all—gave me the strength to achieve what once seemed impossible.
For instance, driving was always a daunting task for me. The thought of sitting behind the wheel terrified me. But one day, my son, who was just three years old, told me how much he missed me driving him to football classes and birthday parties. His words ignited something within me, and I decided to conquer my fear. Slowly, I learned to drive, and today, I am proud to say that I can take on the road confidently.
Currently, I am focused on another challenge—getting better at my yoga practice. I may not be perfect yet; sometimes, my teacher points out my not-so-perfect asanas. But I know that just like driving, with persistence and patience, I will master it. I have learned that with determination, anything is possible.
Why am I sharing my story today? Because I want every woman to remember that we all carry the spirit of Shakti within us. My journey from feeling like an outsider to becoming an independent educator and mother proves that no matter our challenges, we have the power to rise above them. We can shape our destinies, overcome our fears, and embrace the person we are meant to become.
Nav Durga is more than just a festival for me. It is a reminder of the strength, resilience, and power that resides within every woman. Just as Durga embodies Shakti, we, too, carry that divine energy capable of overcoming any obstacle that life throws our way.
So today, I celebrate not just my story but the stories of every woman who has ever fought to reclaim her identity. Let us honour the Shakti within us, for with it, we are unstoppable.