I've been browsing through Facebook status of friends and I noticed that most of them had something in common - the usage of the word "future". For those graduating this year from college/university, what happens next is starting to feel more like a puzzle than ever. Life, however, is expected to be more of a puzzle as we go along. But in your 20's, the quarter-life crisis strikes and you're left wondering about your next step in life.
The problem is just that. Whatever you do from this moment on will directly or indirectly determine the direction of your future. It sounds scary, true, but it could be close to reality. There are people who change fields at age 40, true, but how many of these people are there?
Let's face reality. Most people are creatures of comfort, who subscribe to a life of normalcy, whatever this could indicate. Most people choose to live the common life of studying, graduating from college/university, working, working, working, buying a house, a car, settling down and having kids, and growing old. The idea of success usually revolves around how large your bank account is, and the range of your property. We want a safe life, which is the reason why most people work so hard in life - to obtain a comfortable, secure life, and to then provide the same comforts for their offspring and the generation thereafter.
But there are also some of us who crave for a life less ordinary - one that is filled with as much shit as everyone else's but also filled with another component some of us call "life". I have been putting much thought to what the purpose of our lives are. It's sad that most people subject themselves to working hard without thinking of the implication it brings to the people around them. Whatever happened to the other values that we own aside from diligence, such as family values, friendship, love, or simple enjoyment? How many of us actually stop to smell the roses anymore?
I suppose the point is that most of us worry, right before the point of our graduation, because we want to do what's right. We want to take the correct first step in order to ensure that everything else is in place for the next steps in life that we are about to take. But we have to also be prepared for the loopholes, the potholes, the blind spots that we fail to see sometimes. These loopholes may not necessarily be bad things after all. After all, most people stumble upon what they love to do after giving many things a try. But that's the importance of trying. When we try to be safe, we'll never truly discover our true passion(s), our true loves, and our true enjoyments. We'll never really realise our true capabilities and abilities, and it is just as easy to ignore our true talents and skills.
So, take a step back, sit back and relax. Sometimes, worrying too much will only bring us nowhere. As human beings, we need to bump our heads into a few walls before realising that we need to change the direction and speed at which we're moving. Fret not if you don't know what you want to do; not everyone does at a young age.
I suppose it's important for us to remember that life is not a destination, but a journey and experience. Drink every drop of it, and savour every moment.
Some pictures from the week that was before, and happy moments they were:
Life goes on. It's important for us to face each day with a smile. Today might just be the last day on earth for some. I'm unsure if what I'm doing right now (doing a second degree in law, etc) is the right thing to do, but there's only one way to find out - to actually do it. I'm thankful for the support I have from my family and friends. I'm thankful for my inner strength, too, because everytime I feel like I'm about to crumble and fall, I search for that strength within, and I move on every single time.
Moments like these, even I can't deny the existence of God.
4 comments:
"Most people are creatures of comfort, who subscribe to a life of normalcy..."
so true. alot of people have dreams of making it big, having a glamorous life etc.. but give up those dreams just cos it seems too far-fetched.
i had to look up what 'INFJ' in your profile meant :p never thought an introvert would be into peforming arts and public speaking!
contradicting don't you think? haha
Sharon an introvert? Please! She's one of many outgoing person I know! Ha-ha! Even introverts needs to play!
"Moments like these, even I can't deny the existence of God."
God seems to be a very distant entity for me nowadays, and when I needed strength more often than not it's not from God (haven't been praying for quite sometime) but within me and from around me. I still believe there's a God but I don't know lah! Ha-ha!
george: You should have also read up that INFJs are often mistaken for extroverts ;). Introversion is an aspect of a person's personality, not a trait. I'll quote from the good ol' Wikipedia:
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Introversion is "the state of or tendency toward being wholly or predominantly concerned with and interested in one's own mental life". Introverts tend to be low-key, deliberate, and relatively less engaged in social situations. They often take pleasure in solitary activities such as reading, writing, drawing, watching movies, and using computers. The archetypal artist, writer, sculptor, composer and inventor are all highly introverted. An introverted person is likely to enjoy time spent alone and find less reward in time spent with large groups of people (although they tend to enjoy interactions with close friends). They prefer to concentrate on a single activity at a time and like to observe situations before they participate.
Introversion is not the same as shyness. Introverts choose solitary over social activities by preference, whereas shy people avoid social encounters out of fear.
An introvert is energized when alone. Introverts tend to "fade" when with people and can easily become overstimulated with too many others around. Introverts tend to think before speaking.
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In other words, introverts may be comfortable around other people and have great social skills, but constantly crave moments of solitude to contemplate and re-energise.
Sounds complicated, I know!
bob: Trust me, I have on-off moments of belief and disbelief of God. I suppose it's easy to be cynical when God seems distant from us, but what's important is to find that inner strength and faith, but in who or what is very much up to us. Hang on in there, pal, I'm sure you'll make it through!
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