Dear Sadichha,

I am a 26-year-old girl, doing theatres, as acting is my passion. Besides, I am also working in a 9-5 job at an office. I haven’t been able manage both. My heart wants to stick to theatre since it’s my dream. However, my parents don’t like it because it’s not a secured job. Though my parents are right, I can’t quit this. What should I do? Who should I listen to? My heart or parents?

Don’t shy away from a challenge. It might be difficult now, but with time you will be able to make it better. If you are passionate about theater, look for opportunities where you can act and work on projects. That way you’ll see how you could start that career professionally. On the weekends or during holidays if you could work that out, you’ll not miss out on your dream. I know it is difficult balancing a 9-5 work and trying to have a career in theater. You could also talk to people from the industry and see how they’re working. Maybe you could get a work in a theater itself? That way you’ll have a job that gives you a steady income as well as allows you to pursue your passion.

Dear Sadichha,

After completing my +2, I went to Australia. I am currently 20 years old and live in Sydney. My parents took a loan for my abroad studies. Sustaining life here is really hard. I have to work so much. This has clearly hampered my studies and cannot concentrate fully on my studies. I failed in the first year. However, my parents think I have been doing well here and they expect to see me in Nepal this winter. I don’t know how to tell my parents the truth. Please suggest. 

Honesty is always the best policy. If life is really very hard for you, why don’t you come back? Is there a possibility that you could? If yes, I would really request you to look into that. If the main reason you went to Australia was for your studies and you haven’t been able to study and failed because of the workload, what is the point in being there, suffering so much? Talk to your parents over the phone, a video call maybe and explain to them your actual situation. As parents, I am sure they will understand. You are just 20, you have the entire life ahead of you. Instead of trying to achieve something that you cannot why not aim for something that you can actually do? Come out clean to your parents, talk to them, be honest and this winter maybe come back for good. You could always start your studies here and work on the side. There are many opportunities here for the people who look for them and work hard.

Dear Sadichha,

I am 42. I also am a father. I had a best friend. We used to have fun. We went to the same school, college and also were in the same band. Now, he is no more in this world. I cannot forget him because we shared lots of memories. He shared with me his hard times. I was so busy back then that I couldn’t give him time. That thing still haunts me today. I don’t know what to do. I just miss my friend.

I am sorry for your loss. You don’t need to forget him. Keep him alive in your memories and thoughts. What is gone is gone, don’t think about all the things you could have done. The time has passed. However, if you do want to honor your friend, maybe help his family. If the two of you are similar in age, then he must have also been in his 40s, does he have a family, a wife, and children? Parents? Maybe you could visit them and see if they need any help. Start by helping them, if you could in any way. I think that will give you a lot of happiness and help you not feel that guilty for not being their for your friend when he wanted you to.

Dear Sadichha,

I am a teacher and I believe I was born for it.  I want to educate people. I teach population in school. The problem is that no one supports me. They think population is too “cheap and weird”. Even my parents aren’t supportive. They had a dream to make me a doctor. But after failing twice, they literally stopped talking to me. Still, they don’t. I really miss them. Please say what I should do.

I love the fact that you want to be in this profession, I really do think that a good teacher can create an everlasting change in the lives of the students. ‘Population’ is an important subject for the kids in school. I remember a lot of important topics being covered in that subject. Don’t be disheartened. Be a dedicated, hard-working teacher and show people the results of your hard work. As for your parents, I am sorry that they don’t see your passion for education. Do keep trying to maintain contact and touch with your parents, they will come around one day or another. You will come across a lot of naysayers in your journey but don’t let them affect you. Surround yourself with like-minded people, who want to create change and who are positive towards this profession. Push yourself every day to be better. All the best.