Rasika Wakte - Pune, Maharashtra

 

When I was first introduced to the work of Let’s Make A Difference, I wasn’t sure what it really was or how huge an impact it would have on my life.

Before:

I was a very shy girl with only a few people in my circle. I hesitated to ask for help or even talk to someone unless I absolutely had to. Along with that, I was quite lazy. I would delay my work until the deadline was right around the corner. In fact, the word “procrastination” described me perfectly at that time. My relationships with my distant family weren’t great either. Even my own cousin felt like just an acquaintance because we never really spoke.

During:

When I first heard about LMAD, I didn’t know what happened inside its premises. I didn’t understand what it truly meant to look deep within myself. I attended my first conference in 2024 with my cousin, and that opened up a completely new path in life. LMAD taught me about change, about the responsibilities we hold as the upcoming generation, and most importantly, about myself. Through quiet time, I learned how to look into the actions I take in my everyday life. I got to reflect on everything I had done so far: the way I work, the way I maintain relationships, and the way I treat others. I started becoming conscious of how things around me should influence me, and I learned the importance of letting go. One of my biggest takeaways from those eight days was the healed bond between my sister and me. We connected and understood each other in a way we never had before.

When I attended my second conference in 2025, things were different. My introspection was clouded by guilt over the mistakes I had made in the past year and even earlier. My sense of change was overshadowed by an urge to be perfect, instead of simply believing in who I was becoming. I remembered all the broken contacts, the tension in some of my relationships, and my role in those situations. But as the days passed, that heaviness slowly faded away. A new thought emerged: correcting myself in the future is possible. I began thinking about how I perceive myself and how I should be working on myself instead.

After:

I have understood one important thing: real change takes time and consistent effort. It doesn’t happen overnight, or even in a year. LMAD has taught me lessons I will never forget. It has helped me see parts of myself that I never noticed before. I now have clarity about my strengths and weaknesses. I know that patience is the key to many of life’s problems. These values aren’t perfected yet, but they are firmly rooted within me. I have learned how to manage my desires and understand people’s emotions better. With guidance from Viral sir and support from all the volunteers, I can confidently say that I am a better version of myself and still growing on this journey of self-reflection and improvement.