In the bustling city of Mumbai, there lived a young woman named Priya. Fueled by a deep desire to make a positive impact, she worked for a local NGO dedicated to community welfare.
From the beginning, Priya devoted herself to her work. Whether it was organizing events, connecting with donors, or coordinating volunteer initiatives, she eagerly took on every task. Her dedication caught the attention of her boss, Mrs. Kapoor, who saw the perfect opportunity to shine in Priya.
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| Image by Piyapong Saydaung from Pixabay |
Initially, Priya was thrilled to be recognized for her hard work. The satisfaction of knowing she was contributing to positive change fueled her passion. However, as time passed, a disheartening pattern emerged. Every successful project, every positive outcome, was claimed by Mrs. Kapoor as her own. Priya's contributions were overshadowed by her boss's relentless ambition.
Undeterred, Priya approached Mrs. Kapoor one day, gathering the courage to seek acknowledgment and perhaps a raise for her efforts. Yet, Mrs. Kapoor always had an excuse—budget constraints, organizational priorities, or skillfully changing the subject with compliments and promises for the future.
The turning point arrived when Priya was assigned an overwhelming project with an impossible deadline. Exhausted and on the verge of burnout, she finally summoned the strength to speak up and ask for recognition or assistance. Mrs. Kapoor skillfully played the victim, painting herself as the target of an ungrateful employee.
The guilt trip worked. Priya found herself once again carrying the burden, sacrificing her personal time for the sake of the organization. But this time, a seed of doubt had been sown in her mind.
As Priya continued to toil away, she began reflecting on the toll it was taking on her mental well-being. Sleepless nights, constant stress, and the sinking feeling of being taken advantage of started to wear her down. One day, as she looked at herself in the mirror, the realization hit her—her kindness was being misused, and her happiness was paying the price.
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| Image by Piyapong Saydaung from Pixabay |
Priya decided it was time to prioritize herself. She began setting boundaries, saying no when necessary, and prioritizing her mental health. Predictably, Mrs. Kapoor cried foul, portraying Priya as selfish and uncommitted. But this time, Priya stood firm.
In the process of reclaiming her life, Priya also explored other opportunities. She realized that her talents and kindness were valuable, and she didn't need to settle for a situation that drained her happiness.
Eventually, Priya found a new job where her efforts were recognized, appreciated, and rewarded. Looking back, she understood that being good to others didn't mean sacrificing herself. It meant finding a balance, knowing when to say no, and recognizing her own worth.
As Priya moved forward in her new journey, she carried the lessons of Mumbai with her—a city where goodness prevailed, but not at the expense of one's own well-being.
Reflection:
In the journey of Priya, we witness a tale that resonates with the universal struggle of balancing kindness and self-preservation. It's a reflection on the fine line between altruism and self-sacrifice, a lesson that many of us grapple with in our own lives.
Priya's story urges us to question the boundaries we set and the value we place on our own well-being. It prompts us to examine whether our acts of kindness are empowering or debilitating and whether the accolades we seek are deserved or unjustly withheld.
The story invites us to recognize the signs of exploitation, be it in the workplace or in personal relationships. It highlights the importance of standing up for oneself, setting boundaries, and realizing that being good to others should never come at the expense of our mental and emotional health.
Priya's journey is a reminder that kindness is not a one-way street, and it's okay to seek acknowledgment for our efforts. It encourages us to navigate the delicate balance between compassion and self-care, ensuring that our goodness is not a tool for others to exploit but a source of strength for ourselves.
Share Your Thoughts
As you reflect on Priya's tale, consider your own experiences. Are there moments where your kindness has been taken for granted? Have you found yourself sacrificing too much in the name of being good?
Priya's story is an invitation to reassess, redefine, and reclaim the narrative of your own journey towards goodness and self-preservation.
hosted by Cindy D’Silva and Noor Anand Chawla in collaboration with Dr. Preeti Chauhan.
6 Comments
One must learn where to draw a line and to what extent we can allow one to take advantage of us. Above all factors, is respect. If there is no respect, the best thing to do is walk away.
ReplyDeleteFelicia, I so resonate with this story. I have been used and walked over multiple times at the workplace, and suffered major losses. But I guess, I stopped late, but it's been worthwhile and can claim my real creative self.
ReplyDeleteFelicia this is the story of almost all corporate houses irrespective of the nature of the business. I myself remained a victim of such corporate game but I started responding when I saw my boss showing my work as his and claiming the reward in his name. I was in the bullet point for being aggressive but I was adamant and shared this behaviour to higher management and Corporate HR team without letting anyone know with valid proof. Warning given to my Boss and later he was shifted to different department. Understanding the trigger and taking right action helped me in that scenario. I am glad you shared this story as it will help many in their corporate life especially the freshers.
ReplyDeleteFelicia, as you've rightly mentioned, there are many Priyas in the society. While some put their foot down, others are vulnerable and continue. It is necessary to know where to draw the line and stick to it.
ReplyDeleteIn sharing Priya's journey, I can't help but reflect on my own experiences. I, too, believe in helping my new clients and pouring my efforts into making a positive impact. However, over time, I've found myself taken for granted. Experiencing all this still I do whatever I can to help them.
ReplyDeletePriya's story resonates deeply as it mirrors the universal struggle of balancing kindness with self-preservation. It makes me question the boundaries I've to set and the worth I assign to my own well-being. Are my acts of kindness empowering or debilitating? Priya's journey serves as a reminder that kindness isn't a one-way street. It's a call to navigate the delicate balance between compassion and self-care, ensuring that our goodness remains a source of strength for ourselves, not a tool for others to exploit. This topic is really emotional.
I have been a victim of kindness since many years. And now I finally realised my kindness is killing my mental health. I am slowly maintaining boundaries and walk away from the people. People whom I think they are mine 😑 But I choose to walk away permanently from their life.
ReplyDeleteShare Your Thoughts. Do not leave links in the comments!