Sunday, September 28, 2008

Perception

This week has been a little less ordinary than the usual.Of course I can write about the trivial details about how my work at office got appreciated and How I am going to be moving into a new apartment and all that is really not that important.

You know how life sometimes bogs you down and makes you feel pathetic, the beginning of the last week was just like that. As I enter the new week today, not much has changed about my life - in- fact but in terms of perception a lot has.

Three experiences really add up to causing this change of perception.

The first one is something that is happening to a friend of mine. She is at the crossroads in her life, where she has to choose between her family and her love, well not really choose. The choice has been made, she just has to convince the other party that what she has chosen, is for the best. Regardless of what choice she has made, the very act of presenting her case to people who have assumed and expected the exact opposite from her isn't going to be easy. If I rewind my whole life ,with all the decisions that I have had to take and all the impossible pleas that I have had to present, There is not a single decision or plea which can even remotely compare to the magnitude what she is facing today. Suddenly my life seems so simple to me, so very straight forward.

The second one is the two books that I have been reading. "Devil Wears Prada" and "All Quiet on the Western Front". Both the books are about young people who have got themselves jobs that they dont like or deserve. They both complain that there work is too demanding. ( for those who have read these books I know I am trivialising, I apologize but all this is to prove a point). In short they hate their jobs. I on the other hand, have been fortunate enough to have a job, that well, I dont really hate. I havent come to the stage where I begin loving what I do. As I find ( discover or invent) more meaning and reason attached to my occupation, I might even get there one day. As of now, it does what its meant to be doing, Keep me occupied.

The Third and Last one are two movies that I recently saw, "The Last Lear" and "The Freedom Writers". The movies were completely different in their approach and conclusions. While one delved into the importance of art over the man, the other into the message of "Dream On, Dream On, Dream On till your dreams come true" . To me, there was an underlying similarity. Both this films were about individuals driven by passion. Passion for what they think, they ought to do. Passion that was so overwhelming and strong that though it gave them success in their endeavors, it wrecked everything else that held their life together. Am I ready to pay such a price ? If yes then What is it that I shall direct this passion towards. This is a question that I need to answer. The challenge that is going to keep me thinking and alive.



Tuesday, September 16, 2008

Today

Gone are the times when i had theories ready to explain the past and plans ready to face the future.Today i am uncertain, a little scared and a whole lot bored. Life isnt as exciting as it used to be and normally under these circumstances i would just quit and start doing what i really want to do. But today i am tied once again with the ropes of expectation. The time has finally come when I am on my own and can start to marginally support my family. Situation demands me to be pragmatic but when in hell or heavens, have i been "pragmatic".

Today i feel ordinary and i absolutely hate it.