Learning’s at 31

Life began as a multi-hued carnival of sight, sound, laughter and sometimes tears for a favorite doll lost or a toe hurt.

It grew into something very black & white as teenage approached. Everything was seen through the grave lenses of ideology that was grafted and then crafted from the many books, films, snatches of conversations and bits of life experiences one went through.

The twenties brought with them financial independence and the dawning of the fact that life was more than black& white. Also more importantly the fact that what was black to me was quite fair in the world’s view and what was pristine white to me was seen as dirty and abhor-able by the world.

Now standing inside the gateway of thirties having dealt with bereavement, public ignominy, loss and the breaking of dreams and aspirations I understand that life is neither black nor white nor is it multi-colored, its infact just a grey. A grey that turns, swirls and moves like the early morning fog. At times it breaks open and shows you a glimpse of what could be what should be and then it moves, comes back again to cover everything else and leaves you guessing about what lies ahead.

You step cautiously holding onto whatever comes in sight and thus life teaches you many things. Some of the lessons I have learnt I am mentioning below, will wait to hear from you guys what your life lessons have been.

Blood is thicker than water: In the final countdown it’s the support of your family that you can really count on everyone else deserts lovers, friends, and well-wishers. Having said that I will also say that I am lucky to have such a family, the news is too often filled with families which disown their own for flimsy excuses of pride and tradition.

Love all you want to love, don’t expect it to be returned: Loving someone is in our hand expecting reciprocation is not. Indeed it’s foolish to even have such expectations. If you get it you are very lucky. And one more thing even if you do get it don’t ever imagine it will be ‘your kind of love’ it will be an entirely different hue. For you own sanity you must accept it for what it is and not try to modify it.

Follow your own dreams they are really the only thing that are your own: if you really believe in something, go ahead and do it. But do ensure you have the courage and conviction to follow it till the very end. My dad used to say that sometimes it’s easier to seek forgiveness than permission. You life is your own; therefore choices of education, career, life partner and children must be made by you.