My Life, My Way

Typically, we wish for room-mates, friends, people, or in short, the world around us to adjust ‘our way’. The origin of this being the notion, that if things churn out as we want, we’d be happier and life would be more comfortable as there would be lesser reasons to fret over. But, what we fail to realize, is that even this statement does not eventually turn out to be true. There is always the thought ‘kaash, aisa hota!’

 ‘Is it so hard for you to understand?’…is one question we’ve all asked, somebody or the other. But how many times have we been posed the very same query? Loads, isn’t it?

This proves, that we are all ‘inflexible’ creatures, in the heart of hearts; sometimes not listening to others; and at other times discontented, because we aren’t appreciated. In a nutshell, we are all in the same boat; yes, could be different sections of the boat, but the same vehicle at the end of the day.

The above, however is simply a brief of the problem; the problem of always living with that something which is not complete—in the ‘head’ or in the ‘heart’. Next the doubt arises: What is the solution?

It doesn’t lie in one word, neither is there a shortcut to it. But the basic key, to making one’s life comfortable, is to ‘be-the-change-you-want-to-see’. By this I simply mean, that the next time before labeling somebody under the ‘Go-to-hell’ or ‘I-hate-him’ categories, just take a moment and think, what would you have done if you were in that ‘somebody’s’ shoes? If your response is what he is doing at present, then why do you not approve of it?

That, now, is because all of us want to be treated with utmost care. We would prefer someone who values us; who is there when we need him or her to be; who supports us when we face tough times; or in short, one who we know ‘will-always-be-there’.

So, first and foremost, all of us need to ‘WAKE UP AND SMELL THE COFFEE!!’ (Or Chai, for tea-aholics like me :p) Primarily, instead of seeking support, try being supportive for once. Rather than waiting for someone to call for help, try offering it ourselves. And as a substitute of expecting the other person to amend his lifestyle, fine-tune our own attitude.

Indeed, our own life isn’t a bed of roses; hence changes aren’t easy to deal with. It is hard to solve, or for that matter, even listen to someone else’s issues, when one is going through a bad phase. But that is a fact for all, right from a roadside rickshaw-puller, to Dr. Manmohan Singh (well, with all the media pressing on him these days, it must be tougher for him :p), thus even accepting that ‘Everyone has problems’, is a big realization. Is it not? 

At the end of the day, life isn’t that bad. Being an optimist is tough, but not impossible. And if u don’t believe me, the next time you feel ‘all-is-not-well’, close your eyes, and remember the last time you were really really happy. A smile is what you’ll end up with :). That doesn't solve anything, but atleast helps one lighten!!

The warning is that I haven’t myself tried all of what I’ve written till date; but am on my way. So follow at your own risk…….. :)……………………………………………………[and do comment if it helps!] 

-Suhani