Afternoon Blues

People say college days and times are a different world altogether. It is a novel experience for the inexperienced; a new venture for the unventured; a new lease of life for the “lifeless”. Having said that, I admit that these are the times when you make the most careless, petty, and sometimes callous mistakes of your lives, either consciously, unconsciously, or subconsciously. Looking back leaves you with a good mix of emotions. This mix makes for a good spice of life as the ingredients consist of a few spoons of happiness coupled with some sorrow, regret, and a pinch of dilemma to make it wholesome. Doesn’t it sound very familiar to you? It does, right. You all have lived emotions with not-so-similar stories to tell but quite a familiar plot. The reason for solidarity lies within you, your construct. You tend to choose the same trajectory as your predecessors and will be followed in the same fashion by your successors. You are ignorant in the beginning, naive to comprehend, and shut to the outside world that tries to guide you. You ignore what is essential to your understanding only to be left at the crossroads but you might end up choosing the right path or the wrong one or, maybe, both!

Life is beautiful, says who. Not necessarily a nineteen-year-old girl or a boy with a newfound love for books or music or cigarettes. I am happy to say that life indeed is beautiful but with some caveats. Just as any game can be won easily so with some caveats followed, life can be taken to its finishing line with a set of conditions as well. The only difference that I can think of between any game and the game of life is the fact that a game, no matter what won or lost, is meant for fun but when it is the game of life, we tread upon carefully or try to because we pay for the mistakes while reaping benefits for the successes.  

Believe it or not, when they tell you not to worry and enjoy these times- times of freedom, times of youthfulness, times of ignorance, and times of eternal bliss they are themselves rudderless. They have either not been tasked upon or they themselves have not comprehended the several overtures made to a long debate of wisdom by their well-wishers. They could be anyone, though. I do not intend to instill dread in you for I have lived your life both outward and upward. I cannot even differ from you immensely. I cannot pretend that I was any wiser or had other feelings different from yours. 

But what is it that makes me talk about these emotions today? A general sense of responsibility towards you or a sheer emotional outburst. Well, I have not been able to make up my mind yet. But I can assure you that just as any piece of advice, if not assimilated properly, can do you more harm than good. So let’s get this straight. Life is a journey. You all know it. But it is not necessary that you must stumble everywhere, at all times, and repent over later. Be sure about your strengths and weaknesses. Try to filter out people from your life that seem relentless because that may not always work to your advantage. Wait, do I sound mean? So be it. Many years down the lane you will not be judged for your filters but praised for the happiness that your life has brought to you. So what next? First, find a mentor. If you do not have one, build one. Second, build a relationship with someone that can be a good influence on you. A good influence might not necessarily have a heavyweight on them but your next-door neighbor who is motivated and upbeat about their endeavors and third, have a conversation with them and try to understand their view on life and happiness in general. That will help you outline your ambitions and priorities because they are going to matter to you the most in the next few years provided you and I are on the same pitch.

Being ambitious could be anything. The precincts of your ambition could get as outlandish and unconventional as you think. Ambition to be a great singer, a dancer, a painter, a musician, a scientist, a chemist, an industrialist, a manager, or an astronaut. That’s totally normal! Opportunities are galore, grab them. You have a goal and you are working towards it. That’s what is important. Fame and money will follow! Huh!

But whatever I am sharing right now requires you to put in a lot of effort and above all an intent that is not easy and that you need to develop. So you must be wondering if my ideas outweigh the amount of fun your present life has in store for you. If not, why take the pain? I hope you have not forgotten that you still are the college-goer enjoying your life to the fullest or at least hope to do so? I too have a similar dilemma I am unable to come out of. Can we help each other? Who knows if I can ever make up my mind? We can talk about that later, right? After all, I am you. Phew!

Thank you :)