Impermanence of Life

There is no wrong or right way of living life. Unless, you're harming someone intentionally. Well, then you need help and that's another story altogether. I am not a psychologist, so I'd rather stay away from making any comments on how one can deal with extreme actions and emotions. However, all of us are raised in a particular manner. When you step out of the house, you notice there are plenty ways of doing something than the way you've learnt. That is exactly where change begins and thus, the transient nature of life.

The other day my mom incidentally happened to share a few of my new born pictures. I, of course asked if that was me because I was looking at my new born self after ages. Moreover, I did need a confirmation from my mother on whether that was me, because how would I know that was me when I was that tiny. I mean it could be any baby. Most babies that age look similar. Is that making sense? Nevermind.

The whole point is that picture got me thinking, how life panned out for that little kid. She's now a thirty year old woman, living in a city she had never imagined. In a profession that was not even on her list. Living a life that is not even close to what she envisioned as a teenager. Yet, here I am. Grateful, content, mostly happy and well, making the most of this life while getting used to it.

Then, it took me back to all those times in my life when I wished for that particular phase to pass. When all I looked forward to was the next month, year or the next five years. It makes me wonder if I did make the most of what I had. Maybe I did but mostly I didn't. How often I sat imagining scenarios in my head when I could simply step out for a walk, or go sit outside with my family, or just step out with my mom and maasi for running errands. But, I chose to stay back at home and well, procrastinate. I took myself way more seriously than I had to. In the process, I missed out on being present in the present.

That's the thing about life. It keeps going. It will pass. The choice is yours, whether you'd like to match its pace or catch up later. But, then we all learn, imbibe and realise things through our own journey. Some might say, its a privilge that I can sit back and reflect on the mistakes I've made and some might think its a waste of time. It could be neither or both, all depends on the perspective.

To make life seem a little less permanent, we got fixated with taking pictures. To capture a moment. To relive it. Yet, the mind and heart remembers what it wants.

The beauty of life and the bane is its ephemeral nature.

The baby will grow up. You will fall out of love. Friendships will fade away. Wrinkles will find a place. Skin will fold. Bones may not be as strong. Your dog will eventually be in doggo heaven. You will run out of breath sooner. You will make note of things to remember where you kept them. You will lack the energy you once had. Your favourite food item may no longer be a favourite anymore. You may no longer be relevant for the upcoming generation. You'll not know all the slangs. You may not be needed anymore. People around you will stop relying on you. Yet, life will go on.

In spite of all of that, you will spend some of your most priceless moments while raising your child. Not to take away the emotional outbursts. You will fall in love only to realise, love comes and goes but the lesson it teaches, stays. All those lessons lead you to a person you find your safe haven in. Friendships will fade because nothing and nobody is permanent, yet you'll have friends that will become family, they'll be your box of priceless jewels. The body will of course transform but so will your thoughts, each wrinkle and grey strand is a testament to the life you've lived. You'll spend the most fulfilling years in your doggo's company, they'll only leave you with happy memories. And, as far as being relevant is concerned well, we had our time and now its theirs.

So, no matter where you are and what you're doing just know this is short-lived. The pain. The agony. The insult. The hurt. The sorrow. The grief. The happiness. The excitement. The goosbumps. The bouts of laughter. The cheers. The appreciation. The validation. The humiliation. All of it.

That's exactly why, feel all of it and let it go. Feel strongly and then let it pass. Always let go to make way for new experineces because when you're nearing the finale of your life, you should only have contentment in you heart, love in your eyes and solace on your face.

The only way to make the life you're living, worthwhile is by holding onto the right people. The ones you've never had the need to explain yourself. Those who've always been there, all along, no matter what. Those who are honest with you. Those who see potential in you. Those who make you believe in all the good things in life. Trust me, if you have even two of such gems in your life, you've struck gold. Thank your stars!