When I read Snow’s post for the weekly challenge of Friendly Friday  , John Lennon’s ‘Imagine’ is what popped into my head right away. And though I was not sure what photos to post for this as I could not think about any at the moment, I surely did not want to miss out on this! And so I chose to participate.

   As Snow says ‘ It’s not necessarily a better version of things, just a different one, composed of the choices we didn’t make. And there are so many new choices we make every moment, starting right now.’ Choices are a crucial part of ‘who we are, who we choose to be’  and that’s a responsibility we shoulder everyday, without probably thinking a whole lot at all times. Choices often chart who we cross our paths with and what road that leads us down and where we find ourselves as a result of that. For instance around 2006, I chose to submit an application for the JET (Japan Exchange and Teaching Program) on the very last date and at the very last hour, literally. I already had a job that I was happy at and was planning for my Ph.D and teaching in Japan was something I had absolutely never thought about. And guess what? I did end up getting selected, teaching,  having an unforgettable time and making a million memories during my two year stay in that beautiful country. I am not sure what the alternate version would have been (had I not applied) but I think it would not have been as wonderful . I met someone there who has become one of  my closest confidantes and while we live in different countries, she continues to be my dearest friend. And you know what else? I reconnected with Neel while in Japan (we went to the same high school and knew each other but weren’t really good friends) and over Skype calls, we fell in love with each other. A good twelve years later, here we are trying to navigate this chaotic world and figuring out how to raise responsible kids who know right from wrong and do not end up criticizing the amazing courage of the kinds like Greta Thunberg. (I was appalled to know the hundreds of hateful comments that have come her way…what is wrong with this world..i feel like screaming out at times!)

    I wish that the world was a bit different, a bit kinder, a bit safer. I still hope that it can be one day. There are many choices we could have made but we did not..some we probably regretted and some we celebrated. Irrespective of what we did and we did not, all those shaped us to be our current self and I hope, moving forward we are inspired to make choices that are responsible.

Sharing a very favorite photo that stands for that choice I made in 2006 that led me down an alternate path and I ended up being where and what I am today.

A very powerful word, much stronger than its alternate.

Tokyo Tower, signifying a rather significant alternate route I took!

Taken in Minnesota near Two Harbors, we were contemplating going down these stairs as it would mean climbing them back up and near the end of our day trip, we were already quite exhausted. But I am glad we did go down these stairs as the view of  Lake Superior was remarkable. Though we could  see the lake quite well from strategic points at a higher elevation but going down, it was so different. There was serenity and a feeling of humbleness and it served as an appropriate ending to that day.

And since John Lennon came to my mind, here are the lyrics (in case you need them) for you to sing along!