Just the other day I was on a long haul flight staring at the deep blue sky studded with stars. It wasn’t the kind I see every day in Delhi. This was pure. There was nothing in between. There were constellations and me. Fluttering in the recesses of those formations were a galaxy of thoughts. Am I doing okay? Am I an achiever? What will it take for me to grow more? Will I build my business well? Am I open minded ? Am I pushing boundaries?

There were constellations and me. Fluttering in the recesses of those formations were a galaxy of thoughts.

I travel a great deal, sometimes I don't even have a choice. Being world traveller, I make the most of being on planes.  Exploring new cities and experimenting with new foods. Travel, with all its colour and commotion makes me think clearer. It makes me think.

Am I open minded ? Am I pushing boundaries?

It makes me ask questions of myself. As I did when I arrived in Tokyo. It's an intriguing country most would say. It's robotic and tech advanced. Everything moves by the clock. This was a conference of Asia best feminists and women achievers. These women had made it. But when I got talking to so many of the women I met there I realised women world over have common struggles. Not matter what the language, the language of sexism and patriarchy is universal.

Travel, with all its colour and commotion makes me think clearer. It makes me think. Exploration is liberating.

Hidden behind the veil of precision was a constricting culture, or women. Freedom was perceived. Many working women work 18 hours a day. Working well beyond your prescribed time is signal of achievement and growth. Most don't make it to top leadership. It's almost incumbent on women to show up in office, because they are 'seen' on their seats. How different was this from India? I realised that sometimes when you travel, what you get is more of the same. And that's wonderful because in shared problems, issues and challenges, lies the ability to raise a voice. And raise it together. That in many ways is good news because one's efforts could be replicated - from India to Japan and to Indonesia and SriLanka and they can yet ignite inspiration.

I realised that sometimes when you travel, what you get is more of the same. And that's wonderful because in shared problems, issues and challenges, lies the ability to raise a voice. And raise it together.

What I also learnt on this trip was how being accommodative is not being weak. It's being powerful. Listening to others and then sharing an opinion. For the notion of being accepting and open minded has a lot to do with how much you absorb. Not how much you speak. People, contemporaries and women specifically inspired me with their insights, their ability to recognise what affects them and find ways to push ahead. When women will, they do wonders.

When you tinker your senses, you are willing to let go more to let it all in.

Missing all the artist creations I ate at #Tokyo thanks to #womenwill and @tokyonobu - this bowl kind of says it all - the ideas, the rising sun, setting new goals, absorbing it all - coming back soon

A post shared by Shaili Chopra (@shailichopra) on Mar 4, 2018 at 5:48am PST

I made friends, I made connections. I came back with the intention of exploring new avenues, new conversations with people I had met in Tokyo about how empowerment could have a collective voice. Importantly, I met people in Tokyo who inspired me to travel to newer places. Newer cultures.

When you tinker your senses, you are willing to let go more to let it all in.