8 Colours in My Rainbow: Life is All About Living

🌈 8 Colours in My Rainbow: Life is All About Living

By Laxman Nath

“There are seven colours in a regular rainbow. But this is my rainbow. There are eight colours and I’m still counting.”

🌱 Beginnings: When Life Was Effortless

Life started beautifully, long before I even realized, I was the main character. Psychology tells us there’s a stage in every infant's life when needs are fulfilled without being spoken. I was no exception.

But time, as we know, is ever-changing. Slowly, the ease with which we used to receive things faded. We had to struggle. We began to understand the constraints of the world around me and we were constantly tested. I’m sure my younger self went through that, just like everyone else.

My growing mind had to absorb unfamiliar ideas. They weren’t easy but they were essential for development and socialization.

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👶 From Expression to Expectation

In my early years, crying probably worked. Then came love or anger to express what I wanted. But as I grew, even those strategies stopped working. Their magic faded with time.

Soon, people began to demand things from me my parents, teachers, neighbors, even strangers. 

- Discipline

-Good behaviour

-Academic excellence

-Respect 

Expectations arrived before I even understood what they meant.

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🎢 The Roller Coaster Years

That’s when life turned into a roller coaster. Books appeared and every year, more books piled on. My study hours increased along with the pressure to meet everyone’s expectations. While others socialized, I was stuck juggling textbooks and exams.

Years later, when people asked why I was so reserved, I smiled and said, “I’ve always been like this.” But the truth is, I wasn’t.

I used to love playing with friends, hugging my mom, kissing my dad, and sharing mischievous adventures with my brothers. But the system that aimed to make me smart and successful also took away my innocence, emotional expression, and joy.

I built walls around myself. I made rules:
“To be a good son, I must do this.”
“To be respected, I must do that.”

Soon, life became a series of 

“I have to,” 

“I should,” 

and “I must.”

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🧑‍🎓 Shrinking Circles and Silent Pressures

As time passed, my circle of close friends shrank. Study hours increased. The few who remained were fellow bookworms, still dear to me today. My teenage years were more about test scores and duties than joy, love, or exploration.

But, as I said, time changes everything.

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🏫 College: A Fresh Start and New Colours

College was a breath of fresh air. A new environment. New people. New perspectives.

At first, I remained shy and reserved. Old habits die hard. But inside me, a new world was taking shape, my own rainbow of eight colours. These were friends from different backgrounds and beliefs. Being around them brought joy.

Some liked me, some didn’t and that’s when I learned: “You can’t please everyone—and you don’t have to.”

I began speaking up. I shared my thoughts and experiences. To my surprise, people listened. Some even appreciated what I had to say. That’s when I realized: “To be understood, you must first express yourself.”

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⚽ Learning Through Laughter and Loss

I joined sports not because I was good at them (I wasn’t!) but because they gave me joy. I failed, miserably at times. But I kept going. Eventually, I improved. That taught me: “Failure isn’t the end. It’s the beginning, if I choose to keep going.”

My mindset, communication, and even academic results started to shift.

I struggled in my first year, disappointing those who cared about me. It hurt. But it helped me understand: “There must be a balance between what I want and what others expect.”

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📉 When You’re Lost, Let Go

The following year wasn’t much better. I was discouraged. Maybe it was the pressure. Maybe I actually started caring again. In that confusion, I learned another truth: “Some things are beyond our control. Let them go.”

I returned to my studies, this time with the support of my family, friends, and teachers. The same people I once thought were limiting me were now lifting me up.

That’s when I realized: “Some battles we fight alone but the most important ones, we win together.”

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🌀 Becoming Whole

This chapter of my life was filled with laughter, lessons, friendship, mistakes, and self-discovery. I became more balanced. I respected expectations but I didn’t ignore my own needs.

I learned to play many roles:

• A respectful son

• A supportive friend

• A playful teammate

• A compassionate leader

• An adventurous traveller

• And yes, someone with a silly side too

I began to live by a new mantra: “Sometimes, it’s best to let go—and go with the flow.”

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🎓 Finding My Purpose: Psychology and Meaning

I wanted to contribute to society—to make a difference. I struggled with study choices but eventually found a path that felt right: A Master’s in Psychology.

A field where emotions, human connections, and lived experiences weren’t just acknowledged but respected. From day one, I knew: “This is where I’m meant to be.”

I was surrounded by passionate, thoughtful people. They didn’t just teach me, they shaped me. I grew into someone more mature, empathetic, responsible, and joyful. It became more than a career. It became a calling.

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👨‍👩‍👧 The Present: Love, Family, and Fulfilment

Today, I’m a married man, with a loving wife and a beautiful daughter. My career in mental health is growing steadily. I work with people, stories, pain, and healing. And it brings me peace.

Some may still see me as careless or reckless. But I don’t let their opinions define me. Because now I know:
“Only I get to decide who I am—not someone who hasn’t walked in my shoes.”

🌈 And Still… I’m Counting

There are seven colours in an ordinary rainbow.
But as I said this is my rainbow. There are eight and I’m still counting. 💬 What About You?

What colours make up your rainbow?
What moments shaped you the most?