Life as it is

Today my best friend (or I can call her that ONE friend for life), asked me two important questions. Probably by now, nobody knows me in and out as a person, as she does. Still her questions made me go into that deep retrospect mode and search for some meaningful answers about this life. Even though we all belong to the same species, we all are given that one life to live, it is strange that our journeys are so much different and hence the valuable lessons we learn on the go, are also distinctive.

What is the most important thing in life you feel is?

Everyone says blood relation and family are the most important thing in life, it could be true for people as they may have experienced. I would say that you get to choose your friends and life partner and choose it wisely as you can not unfortunately choose your blood relations. It is like a take-it-or-leave-it situation.

One may be fortunate enough to find friends who go out of the way to help, however, a family who judges every breath you take, hence do not be biased thinking family is family. Whoever is costing your emotional balance, is/are not worth keeping. Be observant during the special needs moments in life and see who stands with you and under what conditions.

It is not true that only age brings you maturity, if so, many elderlies will not be immaturely critic. It is equally important for an elder to respect the younger and their achievements.

Maturity is learning to walk away from people and situations that threaten your peace of mind, self-respect, values, morals, and self-worth. I reached that point in life, a few years back, where if someone cannot make me feel loved or feel good about life, they could just be non-existence for me. I no longer demand respect or love; I simply walk away from those who do not give it to me.

Do not create a pattern of how people mistreat you, thinking forgiving is the best policy. No other satisfaction is beyond self-dignity.

What are the lessons learned in life which are meaningful to you?

The foremost lesson learned is, we came alone, we will go alone and in between, we must somehow manage by ourselves.

Life is a journey till we die, so learn to live both good times and not-so-good times, nothing lasts forever and we should be prepared for all situations. I learned it, quite late in life.

Money may not be everything in life, however, I had a roof over my head and food to eat because of that money, when everything and everyone turned their back on me.

Do not be harsh on yourself, there is an entire world out there to do that favour to you.

People like the convenience they get from you, and hence do not get disappointed when they ghost you without a reason or an explanation.

Nobody is too busy to talk to you, they will find time if they really want to. Hence look for true reciprocation in friendship.

Miracles do happen. It happened to a kind of pessimistic person like me, which means it can happen to anyone who may believe in it.

Discipline and punctuality bring stability in life, they may not bring immediate visible results; but are true qualities to hold for life.

When someone tells you they will not leave you when they barely even know you, that is the biggest lie. Do not weave your life around people, but rather around your own capabilities.

There are two ways to be rich, spend less or earn more. Do not be shy of taking that walk or a bus, wondering what people will think. People will judge you in whatever you do, so live your life the way you want to, of course without harming anybody else.

Beauty is internal, looks mean nothing. I have seen the devil wearing the most beautiful mask and the giving hand, full of wrinkles. A dog is more loyal than us humans.

Celebrate other people’s success, move on from the failure and be hopeful about the future. It may at times feel like forever, but good things come in the way.

Say exactly what you mean and be truthful about who you are. People pleasing will take you nowhere. Even if it leaves you alone, better be alone than with sweet-tongued knives.

Television and movies are not real lives. Do not believe in those fairy tale stories. One must work in a day to earn a living.

Eventually, life will never be fair, get used to it. This is the only secret to being truly happy and pulling yourself through this long journey.

As the famous Bollywood song goes – “Zindegi kaisi hai paheli haye. Kabhi toh hasaaye. Kabhi yeh rulaaye”. (Oh, what a riddle life is, Sometimes it makes us laugh, Sometimes it makes us cry)