Sometimes I ask myself, what am I working towards? A great
career? Or, an identity of my own? Or, to have a great life ultimately?
In the normal case, it starts with having a job. A dream job
actually, where you seriously do not feel that you are really working. It is
something that comes to you naturally. And not something that you toil for.
When you have such a job, you obviously are comfortable and
happy working. Such work always gives you a great career. In other words, pays you
well within its limit. Because you obviously are good at what someone hires you
for. So that in turn shows in your performance.
Performing consistently well at your job when you are
pleased with the returns, makes it a great career. This in turn creates an
identity of your own. Since you come to be known for what you do. It’s something
that people start identifying you with.
So now that you have a great career that brings you all the
perks that you wished for in life. All the comforts or relaxation of some kind money
can buy. The kind that allows you to start taking life on a slower note while
being at the career. Or, take a break in the career and take some rest, doing nothing.
Related to work, that is. Or, you have the third option. You work at the same
pace till you have a smooth functioning body and soul, then retire when your
body and soul can’t take it anymore.
A great happy life is still a long way to go.
It actually means you are able to sit back on an easy chair
by the window that overlooks a beautiful flower garden during the day time with
a book in your hand, sipping sweet, lukewarm black coffee and a rickety ceiling
fan over your head throws in enough air to keep you comfortable. And when
someone very dear to you gently comes to whisper in your ears, ‘meal’s ready’,
before you can doze off enjoying the cool late-in-the-afternoon breeze. If you
are lucky enough to be successful in your younger days to ‘earn and save’ - after
meeting all the life’s expenses – then my friend you have what could be a great
life.
But then again it brings us back to where we started – how could
it be great life, when your youth is all wasted in the pursuit of the so-called
happiness in life? You actually missed out on a lot of things that could have
kept you happy in your youth while taking the chance to earn and save big.
As I now sit on my heavily cushioned cane recliner, with my 9
months old baby daughter sleeping peacefully in my lap, a book in my hand and
cup of sweet and hot cup of black coffee, under the ceiling fan that’s keeping
my daughter comfortable enough in the warm weather outside, what more do I need
in life. A successful, happy and peaceful retired life seems to me
like a stupid old concept, in fact.
