Counting my blessings. And letting go of the rest…

When I was little, I was often teased by other kids for my complexion. I was a tad too dark. And it wasn’t just the kids: I’ve grown up listening to some very unappropriate comments about the colour of my skin from various adults. I’m almost my mom’s photocopy but I inherited my dad’s dark skin. People would shake their heads with pity like it was some unfortunate accident.

In a country where 80% people have dusky to dark complexions – people are “obsessed” with white skin. I am not going to go into the reasons why; some say it’s a remnant of the colonial era, some says it’s a result of the caste system as the so-called “superior” castes tend to have a lighter skin. The fact is, even today, dusky actresses are not the norm in Bollywood. Pharmacies sell skin creams promising girls (and now even men) a fairer and “lovelier” complexion. (Worse the ads usually equate a lighter complexion with more success in personal and professional life) Matrimonial ads have prospective grooms looking for a “fair” bride.

Unfair (pardon the pun) and unjust? Borderline racist behaviour? Or simply a beauty criteria (like tall, thin, etc.)? I don’t know.

On coming to France I saw the other side of the coin: people with light skins spending hours in the sun to tan, using UVs, etc.

So I wonder: don’t we always aspire to be something we are not? The grass always seems greener on the other side of the fence. We always find a way to burden ourselves with unrealistic expectations and in the process make ourselves unhappy.

My resolution for the day: Be myself. Be happy. Be grateful for what I have.

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