Road to be taken
Introduction: Every crossroad in your life involves crucial decision-making. It is pertinent to know your soul before venturing out on a select option
Source: Vijay Times, Family Matters- Pg 2.
Copyright © 2006 Puja Goyal.
LIFE has many possibilities, to explore, create, live, change, and adding towards an entity called me, and another called you. But, is it as easy as it sounds? It is and it isn't. Most often, our decision-making is governed by the influences of others. And as a result, somewhere down the line, our life becomes prearranged and conventional.
From studies to career to marriage, we come across so many choices that we tend to feel lost not knowing what to do. Enveloped in fear, doubt and anxiety, decision- making becomes an ordeal instead of an adventure. We are afraid as to where our decisions will lead us, whether they will give us a sense of security and happiness, and finally, the ever-haunting question, "Am I doing the right thing?" We evade decision- making until it becomes a necessity.
The individual is torn between expectations of oneself, family and peers. Soon, the prospects of emotional and even financial turmoil, disapproval of others, take their toll and make the state of transition tough.
Man as a social animal likes to relate to people. Individuals who do things differently are either revered or considered rebellious because they do not "conform". We like to convert individuals to "us" and fear demands conformation. The ancient Romans used to say that the Fates led those who "would", and those who "wouldn't" they dragged. Many a time, those who get dragged tend to drag others along, bringing the prefect lose-lose situation at hand!
When does it become important for someone who is talented in painting to work as a clerk in an office because it will provide security? We are all conservatives when it comes to change. We want to conserve the social image. Regardless of this, the individual's basic reason for existence is to follow his own destiny. As one grows up, destiny becomes blur and gets caught up in one's own life, and everybody else's!
"At every crossroad on the path that leads to the future, tradition has placed 10,000 men to guard the past," said Maurice Maeterlinck (Belgian Symbolist Poet, Playwright and Essayist - 1862-1949).
Life is all about choices and the decisions we make in order to arrive at our destination. What if you were told that irrespective of the road we take, there will always be a treasure chest waiting to be opened by us?
In our life many roads come our way. There are roads that lead to fame and fortune, and others leading to isolation and poverty, to happiness and to sadness, to victory and to defeat. With so many roads to choose from and with limited knowledge, which road should you take? What is the guarantee that you choose the right one along the way?
You don't know where a road will lead you until you take it. There is no guarantee of success; it would also seem like a deck of cards sometimes. This is one of the most important things we need to realise about life - that there are no guarantees. Nobody says that choosing to do the right thing all the time would bring happiness. Loving someone with devotion does not guarantee its reciprocation. Gaining fame and fortune does not guarantee happiness.
Yet every road will take you somewhere, because there are too many possibilities of arriving at your own treasure chest, its content of which is directly proportional to the road you take. There are too many possible outcomes that you really cannot control. The only thing you have power over is the decisions that you make, and how you act and react to different situations, while you move towards the chest.
In life, we are so overawed by the thought that we might make the wrong decisions more often than the right ones. The fact is that we donít really know if the decision was wrong or right till we reach our destination. Most of our agony comes from this thought - pondering over the result before we act. Although it is true that one wrong turn could get you lost, it could also be that it could be an opportunity for an adventure, and moreover open more roads. It is all a matter of perspective, and having the confidence in yourself no matter what life brings to you ...
While a period of transition not only brings out the best, it can also bring out the worst. You have to decide which way you want to move - or get stuck in a time warp. Get as much information as you can about your situation. With information comes confidence in deciding. Often, the reason for indecision is the lack of information.
Realise the options that are available to you. Sometimes you would want to do
something immediately, but wouldn't have the resources, can you in such a case afford to postpone your goal? If you find no options available, you can create your own - isnít that simple? Entertain and explore ideas without dismissing them. Sometimes, the most outrageous idea would prove to be the right one in the end. You could ask people around you what qualities they notice in you - for example, if someone says "your flair for dramatising situations is immense! then perhaps you could make use of it and become a writer or an actor" - irrespective of what people around you tell you. Make sure that you make your own decision.
Assess each option by looking at the advantages and disadvantages it offers you. Do not make a decision out of fear and anxiety. It is important for you to trust yourself and have the confidence to make a decision. Be persistent once the decision is made!
"Listen to the beat of the soul, and believe in it, for it will take you where you will belong "
Source: Vijay Times, Family Matters- Pg 2.
Copyright © 2006 Puja Goyal.
LIFE has many possibilities, to explore, create, live, change, and adding towards an entity called me, and another called you. But, is it as easy as it sounds? It is and it isn't. Most often, our decision-making is governed by the influences of others. And as a result, somewhere down the line, our life becomes prearranged and conventional.
From studies to career to marriage, we come across so many choices that we tend to feel lost not knowing what to do. Enveloped in fear, doubt and anxiety, decision- making becomes an ordeal instead of an adventure. We are afraid as to where our decisions will lead us, whether they will give us a sense of security and happiness, and finally, the ever-haunting question, "Am I doing the right thing?" We evade decision- making until it becomes a necessity.
The individual is torn between expectations of oneself, family and peers. Soon, the prospects of emotional and even financial turmoil, disapproval of others, take their toll and make the state of transition tough.
Man as a social animal likes to relate to people. Individuals who do things differently are either revered or considered rebellious because they do not "conform". We like to convert individuals to "us" and fear demands conformation. The ancient Romans used to say that the Fates led those who "would", and those who "wouldn't" they dragged. Many a time, those who get dragged tend to drag others along, bringing the prefect lose-lose situation at hand!
When does it become important for someone who is talented in painting to work as a clerk in an office because it will provide security? We are all conservatives when it comes to change. We want to conserve the social image. Regardless of this, the individual's basic reason for existence is to follow his own destiny. As one grows up, destiny becomes blur and gets caught up in one's own life, and everybody else's!
"At every crossroad on the path that leads to the future, tradition has placed 10,000 men to guard the past," said Maurice Maeterlinck (Belgian Symbolist Poet, Playwright and Essayist - 1862-1949).
Life is all about choices and the decisions we make in order to arrive at our destination. What if you were told that irrespective of the road we take, there will always be a treasure chest waiting to be opened by us?
In our life many roads come our way. There are roads that lead to fame and fortune, and others leading to isolation and poverty, to happiness and to sadness, to victory and to defeat. With so many roads to choose from and with limited knowledge, which road should you take? What is the guarantee that you choose the right one along the way?
You don't know where a road will lead you until you take it. There is no guarantee of success; it would also seem like a deck of cards sometimes. This is one of the most important things we need to realise about life - that there are no guarantees. Nobody says that choosing to do the right thing all the time would bring happiness. Loving someone with devotion does not guarantee its reciprocation. Gaining fame and fortune does not guarantee happiness.
Yet every road will take you somewhere, because there are too many possibilities of arriving at your own treasure chest, its content of which is directly proportional to the road you take. There are too many possible outcomes that you really cannot control. The only thing you have power over is the decisions that you make, and how you act and react to different situations, while you move towards the chest.
In life, we are so overawed by the thought that we might make the wrong decisions more often than the right ones. The fact is that we donít really know if the decision was wrong or right till we reach our destination. Most of our agony comes from this thought - pondering over the result before we act. Although it is true that one wrong turn could get you lost, it could also be that it could be an opportunity for an adventure, and moreover open more roads. It is all a matter of perspective, and having the confidence in yourself no matter what life brings to you ...
While a period of transition not only brings out the best, it can also bring out the worst. You have to decide which way you want to move - or get stuck in a time warp. Get as much information as you can about your situation. With information comes confidence in deciding. Often, the reason for indecision is the lack of information.
Realise the options that are available to you. Sometimes you would want to do
something immediately, but wouldn't have the resources, can you in such a case afford to postpone your goal? If you find no options available, you can create your own - isnít that simple? Entertain and explore ideas without dismissing them. Sometimes, the most outrageous idea would prove to be the right one in the end. You could ask people around you what qualities they notice in you - for example, if someone says "your flair for dramatising situations is immense! then perhaps you could make use of it and become a writer or an actor" - irrespective of what people around you tell you. Make sure that you make your own decision.
Assess each option by looking at the advantages and disadvantages it offers you. Do not make a decision out of fear and anxiety. It is important for you to trust yourself and have the confidence to make a decision. Be persistent once the decision is made!
"Listen to the beat of the soul, and believe in it, for it will take you where you will belong "
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