What does life mean to me?
The meaning of life is a deep, deep question that I never ever thought that I shall attempt to address at this age. However, a random message from a facebook friend made me mentally wrestle with this question. A short answer is — it is a changing goal-post!
I guess most like me do not really get concerned deeply about stuff like ‘meaning of life’ and go on living their life with all its ups and downs.
I was advised long, long time back by one of my bosses to live in the present, deeply experience and feel each moment. And it has been a good advice that has helped me not to think too much about past mistakes and blunders. It has also helped me get a sound sleep every night and in afternoon (afternoon siesta is a more recent development after I crossed 58 and chose to retire from an active job/career).
Most of the decisions in my life till the age of 40 were taken without thinking too deeply and I sort of chose my path based on what came before me. It was all about good education from good schools and colleges, well-paying jobs with corporates and a loving family. This came to a stop when one Mr Mohan Kapur met me and suggested that I ask some tough questions to myself.
These questions were about the difference I have made to others’ lives? Looking back, I had very feeble answers for myself. Circumstances conspired and I left the corporate world and started my (actually, our) innings in entrepreneurship. This was the first time, I had chosen a deliberately different path with clear objectives: I should not only earn much more money but also positively impact many lives. T.I.M.E. Education was the enterprise and education was the chosen vehicle. It was a great joy seeing the students/colleagues succeeding in careers of their choice and finding joy and happiness.
And this was the ‘aha’ moment! I discovered that what excites me and gives me a deep sense of satisfaction is — in helping others succeed.
We (my wife and I), at the beginning of our venture, had also decided that we need x amount to be accumulated and once it is done, we shall take a step back and engage in education without any monetary considerations and enjoy life in reading, watching movies & dramas, listening to music and savouring time with near and dear. And, this is how we shall enjoy life. Accordingly, we said bye-bye to the entrepreneurship innings when I was 57!
Now that I have spent 6+ years in ‘retirement’, am I satisfied with what I am doing? Am I continuing to enjoy? Answer is — mostly yes.
And what does life mean to me now?
I continue to derive huge joy and satisfaction in teaching-learning-advising-helping others to succeed. Could I do more? Yes. So, I continue to explore newer and different areas where I could be useful to others.
At the end, some distilled gyan about what life is about:
- being thankful for the opportunities and help received from others and paying it forward.
- learning new things, continuing to be curious about many different things and finding good things in things around you.
- continuing in present, being equanimous and understanding the difference between needs and wants.
- believing in infinite capabilities of all humans, respecting them and encouraging them to explore and push themselves.
(a two-year old post on fb, continues to be as relevant today)
