The lost art of Chai pe charcha
She had a beautiful home, and it felt welcoming right from the entrance. I was admiring the interiors, which she had designed herself, when her daughter brought out amazing chai and we sat down to catch up for the first time.
When I got back, refreshed after time with a very positive person in a positive space, I kept thinking about how intentionally pursuing friendships helps women keep each other’s mental health in check.
My closest friends live in different countries and cities, and I still need to connect with people nearby. I am glad I have friends, and sometimes family, with different interests, and different people for different activities, hobbies and topics of discussion. I invest in relationships that pour into my cup rather than drain it. For some, I will go out of my way to keep the connection going, because I know they sometimes need me more than I need them.
Gone are the days when we were fed content saying women pull down women. There are some instances, but there are also men who pull down men and women alike, so why only talk about women being each other’s enemies? Some people treat the success of independent women as a crime, as if women were getting “uncontrollable.” Now that it is Navaratri, I can only imagine Goddess Durga or Kali being stopped from riding her lion or tiger and destroying the Rakshasas because she was getting too “uncontrollable.” Many people pray fervently to the Goddesses while disrespecting the Goddesses around them, who are unassumingly going about their chores, following their passions, making friends and unapologetically enjoying themselves.
So the next time you wonder whether to invite someone over for a cup of chai, go ahead. People who lift you up will find a way into your life. Just keep looking out. You never know where you will find great friends.
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