Since birth, I have been so accustomed to having "The only" title, be it in the family or in college. I was born being the only daughter to my parents and the only sister to my brothers, and so, the only girl in the family, until 10 years back, I lost that only girl title when my first niece was born. She somehow occupied my place. But then, I became the only aunt to my nieces and nephew.
I entered college and I became the only Mizo and the only Christian in my class, and I guess this is going to last as far as my academic life is concerned. I have to mingle with my non-Mizo friends, where I have to be with them trying to understand what they are talking about while they converse in Kannada, Tamil, and now Hindi, and there are many times I go "Duh" because if they forget to explain things to me in English, I lose track of whats happening around me.
Well, coming to the point, having "the only" title isn't easy. Your responsibility becomes big.
For instance, had I not been the only daughter and sister to my family, I would have married a guy of my choice 10 years ago and lived happily ever after (hehe). On a serious note, the expectations that comes from the family becomes high, and its tough trying to fulfill them sometimes.
And then being the only Mizo is one big reputation I have to keep. If I do anything wrong or right, people will assume "Oh, thats what Mizos' do". Few days back, my lab-mates showed me a picture uploaded on facebook of Mizo guys killing and roasting a dog, blood spilled all over, with comments like "How can they do this to dogs?" "So cruel" and they asked me "Do you also eat dog meat?" I have to stand there defending my own, telling them that I don't eat dog meat, and its only some of the people, not all of us. As a matter of fact, a picture of any animal, being slaughtered isn't a pretty sight to see. I was there to tell them about it, so that they don't get wrong ideas of my people. But yeah, my ancestors were head hunters, which means we can be mean if we want to, so beware though (:P)
Being the only Christian (in lab/class), I have to be extra careful in everything I do. "Practicing what you preach" becomes a priority, when you stay among non-believers. Things which may seem a minor issue to some people, like returning that extra 10rs when the salesman makes a mistake in giving you your change, or paying that 2rs (only) balance you owed to the tea stall guy yesterday, becomes means of showing who you are and what you learn from the Bible. You have to keep in mind that, people are watching, and you have to be on guard. And you can actually preach the gospel with your deeds.
Uncle Ben said (In Spider -Man), "With great power comes great responsibility"
Mimi says (In her blog) - "Being the only one brings in great responsibility" :D
Report on 12w challenge - the graph is horizontal :-)
Here's sharing Adele's "One and only" (not much related to the post though)
Here's sharing Adele's "One and only" (not much related to the post though)
9 comments:
4th paragraph : "Mizos' " ;)
Hope that you'd live up to the expectations!
@Ajay: thanks man, correction will be made right now :)
Just as I thought ;-)
I'm on the flip side being the only boy in the family, and expectations are a plenty for sure. I sometimes say' what the heck, let them say what they want'. But this is slightly difficult in Mizo society. Anyway, keep up the Mizo Christian characteristics,you are doing all of us proud.
@Dr John: How clever!! :D
@daniel: yeah, you just can't say "what the heck" and leave, thats the burden :-/ Thanks for the inspiration! :)
But but but... you're not the only "Mimi Hrahsel" :P
Another good post, sis. Yup, being the only one definitely gives you greater responsibilities, especially when we live in a world where all of us jump to generalization and stereotyping immediately.
@Mizohican: Thanks bro.. I see you've been commenting on my posts, so, which means your being yourself after some distraction (hehe). And i definitely know you can relate to this post, coz your the only son.
Now this post made my thought running around like a thirsty chap looking for a drink on dry day - "Am I the only one too?"
As a matter of fact, we all are in a different way. And you happened to be one of the most unique of them all. :-)
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