At BrilliantRead Media, it is our constant endeavour to bring meaningful and powerful stories from India and around the world to empower and motivate our growing community. As part of this, we invited Shabri Prasad Singh for an exclusive interview with us. She is an Author, Writer, Mental Health Activist, Change Enabler and Influencer. Let’s learn more about her incredible journey, background, and advice for our growing community!
Excerpts from our exclusive interview with Shabri;
Talk us through your background and your journey, please;
I was born on the winter solstice in the year 1984. My father, who is no more unfortunately, was an IPS Officer of the 1976 batch Cadre, Punjab.
Militancy was high in Punjab in those years. I am so proud of my father for being the rare honest Idealistic Cop of his service and combatted militancy with honesty.
We then moved to England, London as he was deputed in RAW, had to change my name from Prasad to Shrivastava. Ergo identity confusion started penetrating in my psyche.
Who was I?? I still don’t know yet. It’s a journey I’m taking everyday.
How did you discover your passion as an ‘Author’?
I’m an author because I always wanted to write it as simple. But the fuel was given by betrayal from a best friend who wrote a horrible untrue book about me in 2009, I hit rock bottom and it gave me the courage to see a psychiatrist, the best in my opinion in the world.
For me, my godfather Dr. Sanjay Chugh, who diagnosed me, treated me and installed the ability to know that I can write a book and write the truth.
The truth has a way of coming out no matter what !! you just have to dig deep enough.’
Despite the challenges, what keeps you going when things get tough?
God, my Godfather Dr. Sanjay Chugh, my therapist Purnima Ji, plays a big role of my parents Mukta and stepfather Dr. Amandeep Singh and my pets and close friends, the ones I for sure know who will not betray me. you know in life you get to know yourself really only after 30.
Before that, we are all lost. We learn each day everyday. That is beautiful, learning and correcting ourselves is the journey.
Accepting our faults and the faults of others and trying to improve ourselves each day is the journey that gives hope and hope gives birth to zest, keenness and fuel to live on.”
Don’t ever lose hope.
Who do you believe has been the biggest source of motivation in your daily life?
God simple and Ramesh Chander Prasad the man who gave me life, whose DNA is in me.
How important is it that someone seeks help when struggling with their mental health?
Vital it’s vital. mental health is no joke. It’s paramount for the well-functioning of a human, and society in general. how many tragic suicides happen each day in the world??? the percentage will alarm you.
As we speak someone is struggling with some mental health issue or the other. It’s absolutely essential to seek help when it comes to healthy mental functioning.
What are some of the strategies that you believe have helped you grow as a person?
> Seeking mental help
> Accepting my problem
> Believing in hope, honesty, god
> Willingness to change
> Giving back to society whether it’s donation or giving free mental health therapy. My doors are always open.
What are the three most important lessons you have learned in your life?
– Believe in yourself
– It’s you, you should be your top priority
– Accept your shortcomings, be kinder and loving towards yourself.
In your opinion, what are the keys to success?
Success is not but the key to happiness is being satisfied with yourself. Don’t enter the rat race, it will never end.
What advice would you give students and young professionals who want to have a successful career?
I would say no shortcuts, hardwork is success. It’s satisfying for the soul.
Last but not least, what about your journey makes it satisfying/exciting?
The key to my journey is not running my life when I wanted to and keep on climbing the mountain even if I take long periods of rest.
BrilliantRead is committed to bringing stories from the startup ecosystem, stories that reshape our perspective, add value to our community and be a constant source of motivation not just for our community but also for the whole ecosystem of entrepreneurs and aspiring individuals.
Note: If you have a similar story to share with our audience and would like to be featured on our online magazine, then please write to us at [email protected], we will review your story and extend an invitation to feature if it is worth publishing.
