A Chance Encounter That Lit My Path: How Meeting Rupa Mehta Changed My Life
Sometimes, if you’re lucky, the universe brings someone into your life right when you need them most. For me, that someone was author and wellness educator Rupa Mehta. Our paths crossed in a way that felt less like coincidence and more like destiny—at a time when I was navigating personal challenges and seeking clarity both personally and professionally.
It all started with Rupa’s new book project. She was looking to connect with an Early Childhood educator, and through a mutual connection, our worlds aligned. From the very first conversation, there was something magical about our interaction. Rupa didn’t come with a sales pitch or a fixed agenda. She came with curiosity, empathy, and a desire to truly connect.
That meeting led to something much deeper than a professional partnership. Rupa introduced me to her very first book, Connect to Your One, a transformative guide that helps individuals uncover the one word that defines and guides their life. It’s not just a book; it’s a journey of self-discovery.
At a time when my own path felt uncertain, Connect to Your One helped me uncover something powerful about myself: my word is Light. No matter how dark things may get, I always find the light, and more importantly, I follow it. That truth sits at the core of who I am. It guides me as a leader, a sister, an aunt, a friend, and as a human being. It reminds me of my purpose, my resilience, and my unwavering belief that even the smallest flicker of hope can grow into brilliance if you nurture it.
Working in education for over 24 years in New York City public schools has taught me many things—but perhaps the most important lesson is that we are all students of life. We are all evolving, learning, and finding ways to show up as our best selves for the children, families, and communities we serve. To do that well, we have to start with ourselves.
That’s what made connecting with Rupa and her work through NaliniKIDS so meaningful. She doesn’t just create programs; she creates possibilities. She sees the whole child—their heart, their emotions, their spirit—not just their academic potential. Her work is rooted in wellness, self-awareness, and empowerment, and she brings those same values into every adult conversation, every student interaction, every partnership.
I’m not just grateful for the opportunity to collaborate with Rupa professionally, I’m grateful for what she brought into my life: clarity, connection, and a renewed sense of purpose. She reminded me of the importance of self-awareness, and how essential it is for us, especially as educators and leaders, to pause, reflect, and ask ourselves: What truly guides me?
Rupa helped me rediscover that the light I had been searching for was already within me. That realization changed the way I lead, the way I love, and the way I live. And I believe every educator deserves to find that kind of clarity in their own journey.
So I encourage you—whether you’re in the classroom, leading a school, or supporting children in any capacity, to take time for yourself. Choose you. Discover the word, the value, or the truth that grounds you. Because when we take that journey unapologetically, we show up with greater intention, authenticity, and joy. And when we do that, everyone around us, our students, our staff, our families, feels it.
The connection I made with Rupa was one of those rare and beautiful gifts life offers when you’re open to it. It’s a reminder that the people who cross our paths often do so for a reason. And sometimes, they don’t just help us professionally, they help us remember who we are at our core.
Let that be your invitation to explore, reflect, and lead from within.