Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow… (Chapter-1)

“When I got enough confidence, the stage was gone.. When I was sure of Losing, I won. When I needed People the most, they Left me. When I learnt to dry my Tears, I found a shoulder to cry on” …No matter what you Plan, you never know what Life has Planned for you; Success introduces you to the world, but Failures introduces the world to you…!! 

I decided that there cannot be a more dedicated introductory section to the most sophisticated and shining star Sophia Loren, nor a “just” piece of presentation from my end instituting the legend and her work, if not for her work introducing herself! Here is the most cherished share for you to read through and relish time and again. It is timeless and eternal, until we get to the true essence of the share. I would like to THANK one of my Uncles who inspired me with the following newsletter share, that in turn inspired to brush through the legend’s memoir yet again! Let’s fondly review it together… 

Sophia Loren is an incredible actress that is living a thrive-worthy life. Her memoir and auto-bio sets the stage realistically with a poignant poinsettia and the chaotic, yet entertaining house filled with her grandchildren to celebrate Christmas as a family! Sophia addresses herself as a compulsive perfectionist through the Prologue. The determination with which the marvel actress sets her family introduction is par beyond comprehension. Subtle, yet thought-provokingly powerful. The memoir is also one of my personal favorites and I would prefer to gift the same to my close friends that live in the United States! Looks like Sophia provoked my 2020 gift-share already! 

Sophia embraces “Comings and goings are always very special moments. They set the merry-go-round  of recollections in motion, opening doors to yesterday, today and tomorrow”. WOW! Isn’t all of our lives wonderful and worthwhile when we look at the myriad of happenings and memories we have created and recreated as we travel this journey ? Personal growth always becomes enormous when we are in a circle of elite thought-leadership. And, I for one always feel that our heart and mind integration in itself is a thought-leadership platform for an inward journey of realization. A moment of quiet can usher in the peaceful beating of the heart. From within, we will find that encouragement means “inspiring courage”. The courage to use verbal compliments becomes a greater motivator than nagging words. It could be either to the self or even to others. Life’s deepest meaning, many a times might not be found in accomplishments, but in relationships we earn and learn about. True purpose of life shines glaringly clearer. 

“The wooden box holds my treasure trove of memories. I’m tempted to leave it as it is. Too much time has passed, too many emotions. But then I muster the courage to pick it up, and slowly carry it back to the bedroom” – what a heart-searching thought! How often do we hold our treasure troves to pause and count on our blessings, and be thankful for all the blissful happenings in our life ? This happens every single day with me, especially when I sit to reflect “inwards”! Yes, the true journey undertaken is the path taken inwards, and not externally. The journey becomes most simple, warmhearted and unselfish when the true purpose is realized. As Sophia glides through her experiences and past especially with her family around, I relish my own (even though it’s 1/3rd that of the legend’s life thus far), the resonance is strongly felt. 

The Romilda – Riccardo love story dates back to one of the fall evenings in 1933, in the streets of Via Cola di Rienzo! It is not one of those pleasant love stories that gave birth to our legend, however the one that none ended up being happy. Failure was neither inherited nor admired as the stepping stone. Future was uncertain to everyone in the family, hence they were conflicted and wracked with doubts along the journey of (relationship) growth. Not having the credentials to aspire for a job that we need is an extreme challenge to growth. The family faced that challenge. How bold will we be when we write our own memoir ? Would you attempt aiming at one ? Would you admit all the downside that you have faced thus far, call them out in public heroically, and convince yourself that the journey of growth is well determined when that realization happens ? I am answering the very same questions that just left my thoughts to be black and white here. Did I answer all of them ? Not yet. Will I ? Yes, I truly will, in all honesty. Sophia goes on about her side of the family “the Villanis”.. “United we stand, divided we fall, is what the family always believed” 

A vibrant message, richness of authenticity, unity in diversity, and traditional specialities, are all bringing in the unique and rich flavor of the journey undertaken. It is not only evident via our legend’s life experiences, it would make sense if we sit down to write each one of ours. What say ?! “Perhaps more than bread and even more than love, the main ingredient in Mamma Luisa’s cooking was imagination”…!!

The varied interests that experience teaches and instills in us day in and day out as we grow through life’s trajectory is immense. I had wanted to be a teacher once when I had loved my teachers and professors at schools and colleges. I wanted to imitate doctors that I had been with, wanting to be themselves instead of mine at one stage of life when one of them treated me for my asthma/wheezing complain! Then as I grew closer to Science and Technology, I wanted to dedicate my dream life to be an aspiring research student! For a brief period I aspired to become a counselor, child specialist. Myriad interests! The energy that I have held used to best describe me through that journey. I have always wanted to do something that I wanted to achieve; however, I wouldn’t hesitate to drive that aspiration with actions that dwelled more energy oriented actions as well! What I became is a truthful human being that has well understood the values of life. The memoir of our legend actress Sophia Loren instills those values that everyone learns through their own experience. What we learn from other’s experience is a “life-time inspiration”! I relate to the above said with the following quote as is from our celebrity icon: My chemistry teacher loved me, as did my French teacher. I’ve always been good at languages, something that helped me a lot with my career. But at that time I had no idea what I might become; for all I knew I was going to be teacher, which is what my father wanted for me. Or at least this is what I seem to remember. Do you recall your journey ? Why don’t you take me through yours ?

Be it an achiever’s dream or a passionate desire; either of the two will not let the bearer fall asleep even when seduced by antibiotics or steroids! Time can speed up suddenly, old fears can make way for new challenges, and everything can take on a different appearance, while we head down unknown and unimagined roads. 

Yesterday bloomed into a memory, Today is being well-lived, Tomorrow is being researched at. Watch out for my sequel as I brush through the leaves of our legend’s memoir…

Meanwhile, do spend sometime to write down in comments below some of your best reflections from the past!