Dance of co-evolution and problem discovery

Let me share my story of leaving my home town to move to a bustling, unfamiliar city – Mumbai. It's been more than two decades now. This move catapulted me out of my comfort zone and into a web of new challenges.

Thanks to a friend's reference, my first accommodation was a 'chawl' (row room in a slum) in Jogeshwari, Mumbai. Most of the neighbours were considerate and cooperative. Yet, a group of unemployed youth was always hanging around my house. They would drink and play cards outside my room. Nights were full of their internal fights but were a nuisance to all others. Also, there was an anger of helplessness in their eyes. It was a problem for both of us; they felt resentful seeing us (my other room friends and I) leave for work each day while their constant presence disrupted our lives.

What do you do when surrounded by new problems in an unfamiliar environment? Do you flee, or do you adapt and evolve?

I knew something needed to change. I tried ignoring that gang and even considered moving, but that didn't address the real issue. I realized the solution wasn't to push them away but to pull them closer. I decided to break down the invisible wall between us and build a bridge instead.

That year, on December 31st, everything changed when they joined our New Year's Eve party because they had nowhere else to go. That night served as an ice-breaker; we found common ground and began understanding each other better.

A new relationship evolved from this experience, where open conversations became possible. One of these young men, RajuBhai, became a good friend who helped maintain peace in the area due to his influence among his peers. This new arrangement worked well - they found another place to hang out at night, and daytime was a non-issue for us as we were in our offices anyways.

Many such things were happening as I was new to the unknown city. This experience was akin to being thrown into the deep end of the Arabian Sea. Each problem was like a wave that threatened to submerge me. But as I learned to navigate these waves, I also learned how to swim. I discovered that confronting and understanding each problem led to personal evolution. My past self, comfortable and unchallenged, would have been ill-equipped to handle this new life. But as I faced each issue, I evolved into a more resilient and adaptable version of myself.

The intertwining dance of co-evolution and problem discovery is a testament to our innate ability to grow through challenges. It underscores the fact that confronting and understanding our problems isn't just a means to solve them but a catalyst for personal growth and transformation. In every problem we face, there lies an opportunity to evolve and become more robust versions of ourselves.