The story is never a straight path. The destination is often unknown; the route a vague outline at best. But you know where you start. That’s in your hands. You are the beginning of your tale, and you can start at the tail end if you please.
In my lab, we’re big on the story. Your progress needs to feel like one, you’ve started and you’re headed out there venturing out to the scary unknown. You’re wading through ponds, nudging your way through bushes, picking up thorny branches gingerly and setting them aside. You’re in a valley and trying to look beyond the mountain ahead of you, you’re stranded mid sea trying to reach an island, you’re stuck on the ground unable to see beyond the cracks in the soil.
But you’re part of a thread, you are the story you’re weaving. This is your struggle, your island to reach, your mountain to conquer, your duty to pick your self up, dust off the sand and move along.
Your journey is unique and beautiful like no other. You’ll meet flora so green and exotic, vividly coloured animals darting around, hear the chirping birds and wish to fly.
Fly.
Take a detour, follow the flies. Listen to the plants. Stare at the animals. Find your way.
The best part about research is you don’t quite know where you’re headed, so just start. The currents will push you along, songbirds will show you the way and the lights will guide you home.
Sankalpa Venkatraghavan 