Finding My Peace Through the Bamboo Flute

Living in a busy joint family as a mother of two and running my own business means my life is rarely quiet. Between taking care of my kids, managing the household alongside my in-laws, and overseeing my showroom, I am constantly moving. Most people see an entrepreneur and a mother who has everything under control, but for a long time, the person inside that busy exterior was starting to feel very empty.

My typical day used to be a never-ending cycle.Day by day, this routine started to wear me down. I found myself struggling with mental stress and a lot of anxiety. It felt like I was a machine, performing tasks for everyone else but never for myself. I didn't have a single moment of "Me Time."

Deep down, I carried a bit of sadness. I remembered the girl I used to be before I got married twenty years ago. As a child, I had so many hobbies and talents. I loved music and art. My biggest childhood dream was to learn music in some way, but because of family situations and the responsibilities that come with growing up, I had to set those dreams aside. I stopped everything to focus on my family. Looking back, it felt like all those talents had gone to waste. I started to feel like I hadn't truly lived my life to the fullest; I was just surviving the schedule.

Then, one day, something changed. I was scrolling through Instagram, probably during a rare five-minute break at the showroom, and an ad for Flute Gandarvas popped up. It featured Guru Harsh Dave ji playing the Krishna theme on the flute. The sound was so pure and soulful that it stopped me in my tracks.

In that moment, something clicked. I didn’t hesitate. I didn’t stop to think if I had the time or if I was too old to start. I just clicked the button to join the community. I told myself, "This is for my peace of mind. If I don't do this now, I will never do it." I wasn't going to let this dream slip away like the others.

When I first held the flute, I honestly didn't think I could do it. I doubted if I could even blow into it correctly, let alone make music. I felt those twenty years of "missing out" weighing on me. I worried that my fingers were too stiff or my mind was too tired from years of stress. There were days I felt like my childhood spark was gone for good.

But as I stayed with it, something beautiful started to happen. To my surprise, my presentations were well-appreciated by Guru Harsh Dave ji and my mentors. Each time I received a positive comment, I felt a little piece of my childhood happiness coming back. I started to actually enjoy listening to my own recordings. It wasn't just noise anymore; it was music that I was creating.

The real turning point came when I received my Foundation Finisher certificate. I was so excited, but the biggest challenge was yet to come. Guru ji asked me to play in the "Soul Spark" event. It was a virtual stage, but the pressure was real—there were over 500 members watching. I was nervous, but I played my heart out.

After my performance, Guru ji praised me in front of everyone. He called me the "Fastest Learner" of the community. He told everyone that I had achieved this level in just six months, starting from a total beginner with a straight flute. He said, "Anyone can play like her if you practice like her!"

In that moment, I felt a huge sense of relief and pride. I thought to myself, "Mission Accomplished." I wasn't just a mother or a business owner anymore. Im even a musician!

This journey has changed how I handle my daily life. Before the flute, I would get stressed so easily. Now, I have a different perspective. I’ve realized that I can’t control everything that happens in a day, but I can find my own peace of mind.

Whenever I feel overwhelmed now—whether I’m in the middle of cooking or feeling low at work—I put on Guru ji’s recordings. That positive vibe and soulful touch instantly calm my heart. I don't react with the same anger or anxiety I used to have. The flute has taught me patience.

It is amazing to look back at that first day. I went from being someone who was unsure if they could make a single sound to being a mentor for others. Today, I help my co-learners, and it makes me so happy when they tell me that I have become an inspiration to them.

The flute is no longer just a piece of bamboo in my hand. It is my companion. In many ways, it has become everything to me—my teacher, my comfort, and my soulmate. It gave me back the "Me time" I thought I had lost forever. It taught me that it is never too late to reclaim the parts of yourself you left behind. My house is still busy, my business is still demanding, and my kids still need me—but now, I have the music to carry me through it all.

— Kalaivani