Who is Peace Seeker?
As my school friends rightly said, I am a defective piece – happily odd, weird and awkward. I believe you are what you do and at any point in life you can change what you do, and you become that.
What would you do differently from what you do now?
I experience social anxiety around humans but (thank God!) not animals. So, I want to try to see humans as animals that purr and wag tails in their own unique ways, with a capacity to love and give and feel.
Who inspires you and why?
I am so incredibly lucky to have my life filled with inspiring beings, but the following are my constant sources of inspiration. My youngest brother, who reminds me that you don’t have to be old to be wise. The middle one, the one who would kill for me, for showing me how to find humour in the darkest of times.
Dad, from whom I got my drive and optimism, he is also my favourite cheerleader. Most significantly, he showed me that it is never too late to grow. Mum, for teaching us that compassion is the only way of life, for demonstrating how to gracefully accept one’s own imperfections, and for being a rock to those around you by remaining our rock forever.
My cat, who is also my guardian angel for proving again that connection transcends species. My beloved friends and kin, who hold my hand in times of despair, balance me, accept me with all my flaws, reason with me and listen to me with compassion no matter the distance inspire me to be a better person.
What would you do to make a difference in the world?
Something very close to my heart is to help rehabilitate mentally affected people in loving homes. I know it will happen because Jaya Berged showed me how to have a vision and bring it to life. I would also love for more people to see therapy as jets in a jacuzzi for the mind.
Favourite holiday destination and why?
Kodaikanal – a beautiful hill station in India which is 7-8 hours away from my parents’ home. It is a place where I have built so many core memories and we have already booked to go there again when I visit India in December. It’s where I first experienced the joy of cycling. We once discovered a tiny little shop there that sells the best cheese omelette toast in the world, and I think we keep going back just for that, of all things, haha.
When friends come to town, what attraction would you take them to, and why?
A newfound gem – George Bass Coastal Walk, cheers to all those who create Instagram reels for the world and to friends who send it saying let’s go! It is a miniature version of the Great Ocean Road to me. Waves hitting rocks is something I can watch until the end of time!
I would love to ride a bike along the bay trail from Port Melbourne to Black Rock with all my friends who can ride a bike. I love riding bikes especially if you know some of your favourite people are just in front of you, I love the ocean wind, I love that trail for how refreshing it is, how calming it is, and most importantly for how flat it is 🙂
What are you currently reading?
I’m OK – you’re OK by Thomas Anthony Harris. Transactional analysis is something my mum has talked about all my life, but I never really cared to listen. Now, I am thoroughly enjoying it and it has been an amazing journey, slowly understanding the power of knowing yourself.
What are you currently listening to?
I have been listening to Luminary by Joel Sunny on repeat. It is a beautiful violin piece that I love even more because it was shared with me by someone special and bonding through sharing music is something I intend to do for as long as I live.
Happiness is?
Happiness is being silly with your favourite people. Happiness is your cat waking you up in the middle of the night to go to the toilet together every night. Happiness is a plant you killed (accidentally of course 😛 ) coming back to life. Happiness is belonging. Happiness is having a strong sense of purpose. Happiness is feeling free to be who you are.
What does the future hold for you?
For life, it would be love, laughter, growth and peace. For the immediate future, it most certainly is The Axe in the Ceiling (or Axe, as we call it) by Jaya Berged! Axe for me is more than theatre, it gave me the sense of belonging, the feeling of being accepted and the understanding of the power of a huge colony of ants (you’ll have to come see to get that one haha). I am mind blown by the strength of working together and I look forward to collaborating with many beautiful souls in this life.
Peace Seeker can be seen in The Axe in the Ceiling by Jaya Berged – which plays The Motley Bauhaus, Carlton, as part of the Melbourne Fringe Festival, from 12 – 20 October 2024. For more information, visit: www.melbournefringe.com.au for details.
Image: Peace Seeker (supplied)