Let’s begin with the definition of enthusiasm: A feeling of energetic interest in a particular subject or activity and an eagerness to be involved in it.
Life has so much to offer, only if we have enthusiasm!
This story is about a bunch of ladies who live in Mumbai. They do not stop inspiring and amusing me time and again. My friend’s wife and his sisters are members of this group. Often, I hear from my friend some of their activities. I have also witnessed their enthusiasm in several occasions.
This group may have been formed about 8 years ago and since then their enthusiasm seem to only increase! Few weeks ago, I heard they planned a visit to Mumbai’s Crawford Market, it is one of South Mumbai’s most famous markets. A week later I heard they visited again! And, a week later they visited again! The distance is around 35 kilometers and in Mumbai local train it takes about an hour. My curiosity prompted me to ask my friend this question “what do they do there?”. It turns out that one in the group member may have requirement to purchase an item or two from market, and the others join. But, all return back with a bag or two filled with stuff 😊. He added, there is a lot more to that, days of logistics planning, what and where to eat, dress code, and more! Usually, it’s a day affair. Finish home responsibilities early, some work delegation and start early and return by afternoon! I like addressing them as “Crawford Dwellers”. 😊
And, there are more! Mumbai is known to celebrate all Indian festivals; we all know that! But this group takes it to a different level! In one of the Navratri festivals, I witnessed their enthusiasm. 9 dress code for 9 days. Again; plan purchases, logistics, finish home responsibilities, setting expectations, work delegation. And, not to forget hours of non-stop Garba dance. Wonder where do they get so much energies!
Holi festival is charged up with their undying enthusiasm. A rare occasion when their spouses along with children also participate and get a feel of their energies and enthusiasm. The group also participates in Ganapathi festival with same enthusiasm. Plan, practice and perform for a group dance. Deepavali is no exception!
Couple of years ago I visited my friend with my family. My wife got a chance to spend some time with this group. She joined them to a famous pub known to leave the dance floor for the ladies. Well, this group is also known to take the liberty to consider the tables too as part of dance floor 😊. My wife had a rocking time with group and wished she had a similar group here in Bangalore.
Do they do anything else? Plenty more! Daily Zumba, birthday parties, monthly kitty parties and sometimes go out on a trip outside Mumbai.
I hear that they have their annual calendar filled with planned activities. I keep wondering where, when and how they plan their calendar. I am making a guess here; they probably meet during evening almost every day in their society’s garden that has a great landscape and extremely positive surrounding. I presume this is their War Room (originated from a military term, war rooms are spaces where key people get together to solve a difficult problem). Reminds me of another corporate IT term “Stand-up meeting” (A stand-up meeting is a meeting in which attendees typically participate while standing). In their case, we could call it “Sit-down” meeting.
During my childhood, I have seen and participated with my mother in her “ladies club” meetings. My mother was an active member contributing to the club. I have seen a similar enthusiasm, with just one difference “social status”. This would sometime kill the enthusiasm. I don’t see this an issue in this group. It seems an out-and-out engagement with fun.
There is a message I feel that others must take from this bunch of ladies.
Enthusiasm creates moments and moments make our life beautiful!
I wish you ladies keep rocking!
Author: Raghuraman Kadambi
Image credit: CC0 Children Enthusiasm