"I’ve lived in a chawl my entire childhood"

 “I’ve lived in a chawl my entire childhood. As a kid, I understood the importance of education–I’d study & top my class. But as years passed, Papa couldn't afford my fees; he was a contract worker & we were scraping by. I remember being in Class 8 when my fees hadn’t been paid for 9 months. That’s when Papa told me, ‘I can’t send you to school.’ 

But instead of giving up, I tutored kids from junior classes to pay my fees. I was 13 & I promised myself, ‘One day I’ll study in a reputed university & work at a big company’–that was my dream. 
The want to be a ‘somebody’ only grew & so, after I graduated from school at 18, I decided to go to a college in Mumbai. Vapi to Mumbai was a 3.5 hours journey, daily, but I didn’t mind; I was hungry to make it. 
I continued to tutor to fund my education. Everyday, I’d wake up at 6 AM, travel to college, tutor, visit a library to study & return home at 11! I knew my efforts would pay off & after I completed a year, my family moved to Mumbai to support me. 
In my 2nd year, I heard about a program being offered by NIIT. When I read more about it I knew by the end of the program, I’d get placed with a good company & so, I gave a screening test for it. And I got chosen! It was the happiest day of my life & I told myself, ‘The sky’s the limit!’ Papa was so proud of me! 
I put all my energy into my studies & not only topped my college, but I also got placed by NIIT at KPMG! When I got my first salary, I took my family for dinner & bought Mummy a ring for Mothers Day! 
After 3 years of hustling in Mumbai, my placement secured my future & I earned steadily.  
Then, I started working on my next goal– getting an MBA degree. And so after a 8 hour work day, I’d study for my exams & return home post midnight! Still, I failed the exam... It hurt, but I put in even more hours & passed on my next attempt! 
My family threw a party for me & Papa told everyone, ‘My girl paved her own path!’ To see him smile is all I’ve wanted!
I am the first girl in my family to have come this far. And when Papa tells my story to girls from my town, I feel proud to see their eyes sparkle with the belief that they can achieve their dreams too!” #AbPlacementPakki

{Credits : Humans of Bombay }

What isn't important.............

 What isn't important: a fantasy that the average person with a degree has fewer skills than the average person without. Of course, there are exceptions, but they are just that: exceptions. Companies complain all the time about college grads not having every single skill under the sun, but who do they turn around and hire for basically every professional, white-collar job?

These Will Hold You Back

 I will get everything perfect.

I will control everything.

I will say yes to everything and leave myself open to feeling exhausted and taken advantage of.

I will determine boundaries are selfish and as such will have none.

I will decide saying no means I am not loyal or dedicated enough.

I believe I am not good enough and this belief will influence all my decisions.

I believe I am helpless and cannot do things without others doing them for me.

I will live with envy in my heart for all the things others can have that I can’t have.

I will be perpetually attracted to people who are not available to me or don’t treat me well.

I am afraid that others will judge me so I will take no risks.

I will be angry at anyone who does not see things the way I see them.

I will commit to things and then not follow through so I can show me I cannot really be counted on.

I will make excuses to justify things I do that are not good for me. (I’ve had a rough week and deserve this plate of french fries.)

I think people who truly love me should just know what I want so instead of spelling it out I will get angry if they don’t get it right.

I will never ask for help.

I will live convinced that I don’t deserve good things, and don’t deserve to be loved.

-Dushka Zapata