FIVE FINGERS AND MY FIVE PASSIONS
As a child growing up, discovering one's passion is the key, but at the same time, it's not an easy job. It took me a lot of time to understand what I would love to dedicate my life towards. Discovered at different moments with different experiences and curiosity, here are my five passions or I would love to call my "வேள்வி" equated to my five fingers:
Literature as my thumb
All the other fingers need the thumb to function, so we call it the backbone of fingers. For me literature is my thumb because my character, my inspirations and aspirations are derived from it. There is always a bliss in reading a touching poem because they not only feed my senses, but my soul too. I'm always jealous of literates and musicians, because of what they can do and their magnanimous contributions to mankind. Few of my favorites are Thirukkural, Thiruvaimozhi, Thiruchanda Virutham, poems by Bharathiyar, certain portions of Yajur Veda among many others.
As I said, everything I aspire comes from it. Hence, whatever I pursue, I would love it to end in literature, like an “அந்தாதி”. For example, my pinnacle in Chess would be to write poems on the opening, middle, end games, pieces, and learnings. Not sure if I can, but that is what I aspire for.
Data Science as my Index finger
The index finger is known as the pointing finger. Data Science takes this spot because this is my prime identity and this supports all my works financially and provides stability to my life. I have to keep this up and running to fuel my other passions too. Learning from our past has been an innate quality within all of us. Riding a bicycle, learning a new language, everything involves takeaways from past actions. The soul of Data Science lives in the same. And so is my aspiration to make a career out of it!
Chess as my middle finger
A game that taught life lessons (will write one in detail about what I learnt) such as how one should conduct, which battle to choose, learning to keep the end goal in mind, and many others. I learnt this game back when I was a child from my mom, but started to take it seriously in the last couple of years. And I'm in the pursuit to become a titled player. The reason this is my middle finger is because the game can be brutal and tuff sometimes, one wrong move and you are done. The only time Chess feels a lot easier is when compared to life, because in life you deal with people not pieces :)
Music as my ring finger
Everyone loves music! I don't think anyone is an exception to this. It's universal and the melting point of our heart :) Right from childhood, my experiences have mainly been in terms of listening. But, after starting to work, I really wanted to learn music because I believe that will make me better appreciate the sounds that I listen to. With that in mind, progressing with violin for the last few months, which has been an exciting journey so far. I’m also trying to see music from a mathematical perspective like understanding the frequency of notes, and as I progress will involve more analytics here. Finally, I don't have to explain why music takes the place of the ring finger ;)
Travel & photography as my little finger
The little finger which completes my passion list is travel & photography. Every time I travel, it makes me a better person and it's liberating to my soul. And photography helps to stay in the present without thinking about the past and future. Started in 2016 at Madison, Wisconsin, I'm happy that I still continue to take pictures even today. Read more thoughts about my photography here.
Finally, my family and friends are my palm. Without their support and aid, I'm nothing. And hopefully, with all these together, I can keep contributing to the world in small positive ways. If you resonate with me on any of the above, feel free to reach out!
