Sum total of life
What is the sum total of life? Is it the accolades that you win, the adulation you receive, the promotion you get, the love of your life, or the greed for greenback?
For too long, we have defined life in terms of milestones. First distinction, first job, first love, first house, first child…and the list goes on. No longer have we crossed one, then we are ready to put our sight on the next (almost like running an unending race). And you might say what has led to such a sorry existence of thyself? Herd mentality. Yes, we humans have so expertly ingrained this in our daily lives, that it has literally become a norm of living your life. In fact, people who are less conventional, who wish to follow their own path are sometimes termed as ‘reckless’, ‘rash’, ‘weird’, and all other sort of expletives. They are thought as wrinkles that need to be smoothened out.
Why do we adhere to, bend to these standard norms of the society? Why is it that there is a certain way, a certain time, a certain process and a certain whatnot that we need to follow to be wise in the eyes of others? Don’t get me wrong, I am not saying to act entirely foolish or be completely rash or make an idiot of yourself by your own making or try to be a rebel. What I wish to convey is that it is sometimes acceptable to try out your own thing, to follow your calling and not just follow what the so-called norms and beliefs of the society say.
One can try to relate to Robert Frost’s poem, ‘The Road not taken’ whichhas a special significance here. By taking the road less travelled, it made all the difference for the author. Similarly, we can see many people throughout the world who are successful in life because they made some unconventional choices for themselves. They took a grasp of the life that they intend to live.
I believe that the moment we realise that we are going to be writers of our own destiny, that is the moment we consciously make attempt to live life fully. That is the moment we are truly alive.
Take a step back. Look around. Make a choice. It will make all the difference.
