An interesting thing happened today. Karma Paljor, anchor of the Breakfast News on CNN IBN visited my Institute along with his wife and the duo journalists addressed the students on passion and motivation that forms one’s prospective careers in life as it happens. They also screened a short film showcasing the fast pace of life in some of the busiest locations in the the world such as New York and Japan and then asked what the film meant to different people. The answers ranged from ‘life is very busy’ (highly influenced by the Acer-makes-it-easy ad, no doubt) to the absurd ‘there are no illiterate people in the film’… whatever that meant.
I thought to myself – I feel very insignificant after watching this film and I understood that even if I wasnt there, the world moves at such a fast pace that there’ll be another replacement in no time because such is the story of life. It was a very humbling realization and given an opportunity to re-think one’s own value, I guess you get to find out that maybe you arent all that important as much as you’d think or feel.
The lady spoke about having an aim in life and then proceeding towards achieving that particular aim. Now normally thats standard advice that I’m expert at listening through one ear and sieving out through the other. But this time, I found myself asking – what is my aim? And I was floored to realize that I didnt have any.
So now I need to find an aim in life. Ah, you learn something new everyday.
Welcome aboard girl!
Every time I shiver with chilly breeze from the great Himalayas,
Every time I feel good with a dip into the gigantic Arabian sea,
The thought of insignificant existence slaps right on my face,
And it slaps hard, but the pain it leaves behind is sweet.
Don’t you feel things were so simple when we were young? We always had some bloody aim then! Even if that kept changing from one ambition to the other, one hobby to another, one person to another…
You’ve made a start….maybe I should too.
@Shaliya: So damn right! When I was young, I had hundreds of aims. Now, I cant think of one.
Changing, meandering, wandering – from old life into new, wondering what I think (of you): my favourite poem from ‘Wanderlust’ by Danielle Steel. Unfortunately, I dont remember how the rest of it goes…
@Shradha: I envy being 25!!!
“The survival race” post of mine was inspired by this post
Really?? Btw, very helpful insights – will follow sane advice diligently this time.
If you ask me, the thought of being insignificant is the most dangerous thought one can have.
Think of yourself as a great person.. That’s what I do.
People make fun of me saying that I’m just a shameless know-it-all. I never pay heed to their jeering. I know what I’m capable of. It is this confidence that drives me; that gives me aims.
Why didn’t I get 80% in my B.Tech? I chose not to study unnecessary course, thereby choosing to score less marks in those.
My theory is simple… Aim for the skies. Believe you can reach the skies in one jump. Then you’ll be happy even if you reach the treetop.
@Deepak: I like your theory. And I like your reasoning even more.
The insignificant thought was one itself. For a very brief, fleeting moment. Pretty scary – the dissolution of self confidence.
I hear what you’re saying. And I understand completely. Good to know we’re on the same page.