Hello, dear readers!
Today, I want to share with you a journey that transformed my life in unexpected ways. It’s a story of how I transitioned from being an engineer to embracing my passion for poetry and eventually receiving the sequence of many prestigious national and international awards beginning with 21st Century EMILY DICKISON AWARD 2024.
The Beginning of My Journey
Growing up, I always had a love for words and stories. However, like many, I pursued a practical career path and became a successful engineer and soon a multi national company executive. The world of numbers, logic, and problem-solving was where I spent most of my time. And I used to spend my leisure time to express myself through the beauty of words.
Discovering Poetry
In 2019, to pursue my passion I started the Gujarati Jain religion “Tirthankar Parichay” series in the magazine ‘Kutch Gurjari.’ This experience ignited a spark within me, and I started writing poems, capturing my thoughts and emotions in simple yet profound verses. Poetry became my outlet, a way to navigate through life’s complexities.
Collaboration and Growth
My journey took a significant turn when I collaborated with German poet Dominique Rosenberg. Creating illustrations for her poems and getting featured in her book ‘In The End You Will Bloom’ and “ Head-Heart-Harmony” was a milestone. This experience not only honed my skills but also introduced me to a larger audience.
Embracing Multiple Passions
Balancing my engineering career with my growing passion for poetry wasn’t easy. Yet, I found a way to juggle both worlds. My work in the digital marketing agency, Associate Digits as a co-founder and content manager, and my passion for writing complemented each other, allowing me to grow professionally and creatively.
A Step into the Literary World: Mysteries of the Midnight Garden
As my confidence in writing grew, I had the opportunity to contribute 12 poems to the anthology Mysteries of the Midnight Garden. This collection brought together voices from various poets, each exploring themes of mystery, beauty, and the hidden corners of our minds.
Building Confidence Through Diverse Experiences
With all the literary work in my mother tongue Gujarati, collaborating with a German author, contributing in anthologies, working as a digital marketer, and being an engineer, the integration of all these experiences gave me a strong foundation. This blend of creativity, technical skills, and cross-cultural collaboration made me confident enough to take on the 21 Days Challenge. After successfully completing the challenge, I felt inspired to curate my book, North Star.