All You Need is Perspective

Over the last few days, had a couple of conversations with people who were similar to one another, yet so different. Its keeping those conversations in backgorund that I put forth my take on the things that one takes for grnated in life, or in other words one's outlook towards life.

Ohk so before me move further, lets get some things clarified. The focus group, for the want of a better term, of this post is that of Indian students in their late teens and early twenties. The views that follow are mine, though as metnioned above, are influenced by my recent experiences. And finally, if you think you disagree, you are most welcome to share your thoughts.

Life is a journey, and during this journey we travel along a road that's unique for each one of us. The places that this road take us to are to an extent in our hands, for it can not be denied that we make our own destiny. However more often than not, the people who shape their own destiny are far outnumbered by those who are just happy to trudge along the road. They wander aimlessly on this road of life. During this journey called life, we experience a lot of things, some good some not so good. All is hunky dory as long as the experiences are good, but the real test comes when things aren't to our liking, when the going is tough. Its then that the true nature of individuals and indeed a society is revealed.

Lets consider a scenario. Most of us fail in one thing or the other. And its through these failures that we learn and indeed succeed in due course of time. Had everything been like this, life would have been so simple. Alas, it isn't so simple. No matter how successful we are, no matter what our accompalishments be, we'll find excuses to crib about things. 'Man I am such a loser, I didn't make it to the IIMs' , 'I have not been granted schloarship from MIT, i have failed my parents' are some of the common utterances of today's youth. Be it academic failure or heartbreak in a relationship, we tend to think of ourselves as the worst off person in the world. So much so that we aren't ready to listen when somebody tries to show us that all's not lost and life still has meaning. Its then that we really need to reflect and decide, are we really in such a pathetic condition? I think not.

In pursuit of materialistic goals we have neglected things that really matter in life, things that we take for granted. The next time you start to say that life couldn't be worse, pause for a moment and think, is my life in such shambles, that no matter what happens, my condition can't get any worse? If your answer is yes, then you need a reality check.

When was the last you acknowledged your family's support and indeed felt secure knowing that no matter what happens, my parents would always be there for me? Now think of all those millions who do not have families or whose parents don't love them. When you pray next, say thanks to God for your family.

Money is another factor that makes us crib a lot. It deosn't matter if we are wearing branded clothes, sporting a new cell phone and driving a fast bike. If there is something that we want but don't have money for, we'll crib. The next time you complain about something similar think of all those who don't have enough money to feed their families.

I don't want to sound all philosophical and say that since we are better than a lot of people we shouldn't be ambitious. No that's not the point. Being ambitious is a good thing but its also necessary to realize that these things are not the end of the world. Failure in an examination doesn't make you a total loser. As long as you are learning from you past mistakes, its enough.

Sometimes all what's needed is to put things in perspective.