One of the most important mantras for a full and fulfilling life is “Life long learning.” As important as formal education is, if we stop learning at the end of class 12, graduation or post-graduation we will miss out on so much more than we have actually gained.
In this post we are celebrating the 2nd place winner in our writing competition. Shruti Singhdeo wrote a poem titled When the World Silences You, Life Teaches You to Feel. In it she explores with simplicity, elegance, daring and boldness, one of the key lessons life outside the classroom teaches us: vulnerability and humility.
(A lesson not taught in school, When the World Told Me to Be Strong)
The road of life is long,
And if you ever feel tired —
It’s okay to just say so.
Because life teaches us something
That no classroom ever does —
That vulnerability isn’t weakness;
It’s the beginning of healing.
And when there’s no one around,
Come back to me.
I won’t tell you,
“You’re strong.”
Instead,
I’ll let you show your weakness.
I’ll let your tears fall freely —
Without trying to hold them back.
Because sometimes,
the most important lessons
come not from words,
but from silence,
from sitting beside someone
who simply lets you be.
When the world tells you,
“You’re so beautiful,”
I’ll say —
“Even if you’re not, so what?
You’re a kind soul.
Don’t let your beauty define you,
Let your ability, your heart, be your identity.”
That’s what life teaches us —
to value character over appearance,
kindness over charm,
truth over perfection.
And listen —
I’ll stand beside you
When you break,
When you fall apart,
When you stumble…
Because sometimes,
Not being brave
Is a kind of bravery too.
These are the quiet lessons
Life whispers between the chaos —
Lessons no school ever dared to teach.
If you are human, you will experience weakness. But if you develop the trait of vulnerability, you will learn how to reach out to others in your weakness. Shruti Singhdeo tells us how important this is.
Congratulations Shruti, on a beautiful and well written poem.