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Follow your heart

Would you think twice before a change in career or just take the plunge? TANYA ABRAHAM finds out

Variety is the spice of life. It adds that dash of seasoning to life that individuals need today. And that is why women are opting to follow their passions and indulge in a number of careers. Ask them and the answer is plain and simple. Life is too short, and what better than being able to enjoy doing all the things you love.

So it's not surprising when Liza Chavra took a break from her HR job of seven years and moved with her one-year-old daughter from Bangalore to Kovalam to run a home stay for six months.

"It is something that I wanted to do, to be in the hospitality business. And I must admit the experience was more than enjoyable. Besides, I believe, it has been a true test of my HR skills."

Would she do it again? "Why not?" she says, "it is a good business, and it has given me a lot of other ideas. I guess I would say it has snow-balled my desire to venture into other fields of interest."

For others like Saanya, a writer, giving up a full-time job was to follow her love for interior decoration.

"Although I am still learning to play with design and colour, I have realised that there are many opportunities. This has removed the monotony of a regular job, and has brought that extra zing into work. Besides, I felt that if I did not do it, there would always be a part of me feeling that I had missed out on something."

No guts no glory

Most women believe that it's important to be passionate about what you do, something that brings in satisfaction.

"It is the best way to keep yourself in high spirits," believes Aarati Pradeep, "and that is something you need to do especially when one is responsible for keeping a happy ambience in a family."

She explains that it took months of discussions with her husband before she decided to work part-time at an advertising agency and spend the rest of the day baking cakes and cookies.

"It was initially difficult, especially since it seemed like I had more household responsibilities. But it all worked out well once a routine set in with a little bit of help from my husband."

So then what about the money? Doesn't one miss the regular flow of income?

"Well, one does feel the pinch in the beginning, but once things settle, you will find that it can actually bring in more money," explains Smitha Rahul, a former teacher who recently opened a clothes store in Ernakulam.

To some, it's the willingness to take a risk, to give up that security to do what one's heart desires. However, there are some who believe that taking the risk is easier when there is another earning member in the family , "so that the pinch is not felt," adds Smitha.

"You are talking about juggling two different careers and if you have a family to take care of; it would be a test of patience and good management," points out Saanya. But there is no gain without pain.

"And it's better to take a risk and try what you want to while you are young and capable for then there is no regret later on," explains Kalpana Menon who left a travel agency to start her own travel agency and is now planning to open a restaurant.

So, here is to following your heart's desire. To taking that risk and going all out for it. For you live only once.

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