First
of all, I offer my apologies to all my readers. I’m trying hard to cope with
the head-on collision between my daily chores and writing schedule. And now
that you all have accepted my apologies, I wish you all a very happy and
healthy new year. :) I’m sure that just like me,
most of you must have fresh hopes, fresh plans for the year followed by
resolutions of course. As for me, I have made just one resolution this year because
in my case, too many resolutions have always spoiled my year.
My
only resolution this year is to implement the lessons I have learnt from 2013.
The year 2013 turned out to be great for me. Why? Because all my best laid
plans went astray. I was literally screwed up and was thrown into a maze of
hopelessness. Surprised why I still praise 2013? It is because I found out that
God screwed my plans to make my wishes come true. My initial disappointment was
gone when I looked over the incidents and the dots connected.
Those
incidents taught me useful lessons and the reason behind sharing them with you
all is my hope; hope that some lessons might come in handy to my readers for knowing
and recognizing the ‘actually’ valuable things in life. So here come my
‘hard-earned’ lessons.
# Never Say Never
Life
does maintain a diary where all our actions are noted down (that’s how karma
gets back to us). Out of all entries made in that diary, situations that are entered
for sure are those for which we firmly utter - I’m never going to do it. The
moment you utter those words, the next moment life starts hatching out a plant
to ensure that you do it.
I
remember a conversation with one of my friends when I so confidently said to
her, “I cannot stay away from my home for more than four months.” That very
year, I moved to Ahmedabad for my job and my next visit to home was after
eleven months. I turned almost insane, but I survived. Life rescued me but it
smiled at me and said, “Never say never darling.” So better ‘never’ utter those
words. Simply avoid the situation and move on.
#Never Take Anything or Anyone for
Granted
Not
even your slippers. Ever heard of Lehman Brothers, the fourth-largest
investment bank in the US that went bankrupt in 2008? No no! I’m not saying
that they took their success for granted. I’m just emphasizing on the point
that things can go wrong any time. What you have today may not be there
tomorrow. So better respect all your loved ones and every good thing that you
have – your loving parents, caring siblings, your beloved, your clothes or as I
said, even your comfy slippers.
#What Doesn’t Kill You Definitely
Makes You Stronger
Life
often throws us in situations when we feel excruciating pain and wish that
dinosaurs were alive to eat us up. Make damn sure that you survive those
situations because those are the situations that turn you into warriors. And as
my favorite Po (the kung-fu panda of course) says – warriors have nerves of
steel and souls of platinum. It won’t be easy for others to break you down again.
#Hope for the Best but Stay Prepared
for the Worst
Rihanna’s
‘Love the Way You Lie’ has a captivating line – even angels have their wicked
schemes. SO VERY TRUE! In July 2013, I just landed into a great job and before
joining, I decided to take a break. I was at home when malaria caught me for
the third time and ruined everything. I lost the offer and was completely shattered.
Thanks to my ever-supportive parents, they helped me stay stable and help me to
put up new plans.
Guys!
There’s nothing wrong in keeping your fingers crossed but there’s nothing wrong
in keeping a backup plan either. Keep yourself prepared to face the extremes.
That’ll help you a lot to stay stable when things don’t go your way.
#Don’t Try to Please Everyone
Because
that’s next to impossible. Even God doesn’t try to do that, which maybe a
reason for existence of atheists. Let me make it very clear that I’m not
raising questions or doubts on anyone’s beliefs. I’m just trying to clarify
that keeping up with everyone’s expectations will ultimately result in failing
on your own expectations. Remember one thing – trying to make everyone happy
will leave you lonely. So try to keep yourself happy because only then you can
spread happiness.
These
five important lessons that 2013 taught me have brought out several unknown
aspects of my own self. I went bonkers when I was put through those tough tests
but when they were over, I found myself again with stronger traits and in better
shape. All I had to do was stay in the game.
I
wish that my lessons turn out to be of at least some help for my close pals and
nice folks. Once again, I wish you all a happy and prosperous new year. :)
