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 Thank you all for your kind words, congratulations, and thoughtful comments on my last post. I truly appreciated reading every one of them.

In case you missed the last post, https://www.rekhasrambling.com/2026/07/cultural-conflict.html 

I realized that my post sparked an interesting conversation, and I wanted to clarify something.

I'm not against celebrating accomplishments. Quite the opposite! In our family, we absolutely celebrate milestones when they happen. We celebrate graduations, birthdays, new jobs, and all the moments that make life special.

What I was talking about was something a little different—sharing those celebrations publicly.

I grew up with the belief that announcing your own good fortune too openly could invite bad karma or bad luck. Whether or not that's objectively true isn't really the point. It's simply one of those beliefs that quietly becomes part of who you are.

The culture often reminded us about the phrase "Nazar lag jayegi." It loosely translates to, "The evil eye will fall upon it," or "Don't attract unwanted attention to something precious." Whether it's a child, a new home, a promotion, or good news, the belief is that drawing too much attention to it might invite misfortune.

Whether you believe in nazar or not isn't really the point. It's one of those cultural beliefs that quietly becomes part of who you are.

Even after living in the United States for many years, a small part of me still pauses before I hit "Post."

Ironically, there have been several times when I've shared wonderful news online, only to have something difficult happen shortly afterward. My logical mind knows those events aren't connected. Life has always been a mix of joy and sorrow. The good and the bad come in cycles. But emotionally, that little voice from childhood still whispers, "Nazar lag jayegi."

That's why I said I'm caught in the middle.

One culture teaches quiet humility and protecting what is precious. Another encourages celebrating life's milestones openly and inviting others to share in your joy. I see beauty in both.

Perhaps growing older isn't about abandoning the beliefs we grew up with. Maybe it's about understanding where they came from, appreciating the wisdom they carried, and gently deciding which ones still serve us.

So these days, I'm learning to celebrate with gratitude instead of fear.

Thank you for celebrating alongside our family. Your kindness made finally sharing our daughter's wonderful news even more special.

For those of you who also grew up hearing, "Nazar lag jayegi," did that belief stay with you? Or have you found yourself letting go of it over the years? 

 I'd love to hear your thoughts.

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