There are up days and down days. There are things we like to do. There are things we want to do but we cannot do. Life is short. There’s only a little you can wish when you are in death bed. I remember a Lawyer, now a Judge saying that you should enjoy every little thing that comes your way. ‘Do not wait for a ‘nakatha’ (an auspicious time) and overthink whether to do or not. Some things fleet so fast, you can’t get them back. If you get to work with a Minister, tell him to take you too around the world. Fill passports .There is so much to explore. And it’s fun. Sky is your limit. ‘
People mostly regret about experiences, relationships and happiness. At the age of 80 they wish for the ability to travel more and move as they could have done at 60. At 60’s they wish they were more energetic like in 40’s and 50’s. We wish to have those glory days back, because only a handful of people will enjoy their early life in 20’s and 30’s.
Age is a state of mind. Being young is relative. There are people who look like 40 or 50 when they are at the age of 70 or 80. Or some who are at their 40’s will look like 60 or something. The mental, emotional and physical health will determine how well you age and how ‘old’ you feel. You will come across old people doing things that young ones would do. Such people are strong and energetic in both heart and mind. So it’s all about how you feel.
Having said these, there are things you can enjoy more when you do them young.
Give yourself priority. Do what you like. Do what makes you happy. All things happen in your life depending on the choices that you make and how happy you are. Surround yourself with what makes you happy. That will make the journey easier to achieve what you want. And you will be satisfied. Enjoy small things in life. Take walks often. Stop and take a look at the tall buildings. Take a picture or two of what you enjoy seeing. Drop by a ‘kade’ and have your favorite crunchies. Go sit close to the beach and read some poetry. Sometimes even staring at passersby can be interesting. Make sure you appreciate what you see and do.
Stay close with people who are important to you. We may lose people on our way. If you find that you have lost someone who was very important to you, reach out and re connect with them. People who you consider important are very few and far between. So do your best to keep them in your life.
Go out. Staying outdoors is good for anyone. Get some fresh air to breath. Listen to your favorite song. Go out for a movie or watch the musical show you like. Let your feet dance to the beat. Get soaked in the sun. Even the rain isn’t bad. Enjoy what nature has got to offer you.
Remember to be who you are. Every person is unique in their own way. Do not be ashamed to reveal who you are. It is important to know yourself and know what you like at a younger age. The destination will be a clear one then.
Stop caring about what other people will think of you. Fear of criticism is one of the destructive things known to humanity. Learn early in life that other people have nothing to do with your life. What they think of you does not matter. It really doesn’t. And besides, people are too worried to know what you think of them to care about you.
When you are young, surround yourself more with people you love and happy to be with. Have positive people with you. Such people will shape up your life.
Try to travel as much as possible. Every one dreams to travel a lot. But time doesn’t permit once they get settled and have children. When you are younger, travel more, meet new people, experience new cultures, try eating with chopsticks, learn and read other religions, get into different clothing and learn other languages. Knowing another language won’t be a waste. It will help you to cross cultures easily, expand job skills and have a lot of friends to communicate with.
Above all experiment and take risks. Be bold and daring. Do blunders. Do new things. Get out and fail in things. You only get one chance. Make use of it as much as you can.
Give more and more. Give unconditionally. What you give will make you happy someday.
Start a business of your own. Or do a part time job while you do your higher studies. Don’t wait until a time comes for you to become an employee officially. Try your hand in business or work in a field you like. Employment is not a classroom subject. You got to experience it. The earlier and younger you start, the more you will learn and excel. Be crazy. Not in literal terms. But do something adventurous. When you turn 60 or 70, you won’t be able to enjoy camps, hikes and other fun things.
Life is good.
( Featured in "The Nation" newspaper on 26th October 2014 with a few edits)
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