Trick or Treat?

What are you most excited about for the future?

Tough one! Isn’t the future about a whole bag of unknowns? Or at least that’s what Indian kids from middle class families are taught.

Most Indian kids grow up being fed about how unknown and uncertain the future is and how one should prep for it from the very beginning. We’re also taught how every step we take in life will lead to a better future. Throughout school and college we’re instructed to focus on studies, without any worldly diversions, coz the grades decide the future. Then it’s time to get a job and save pennies for the same better future. And then marriage, coz having a spouse is very important for a better future. Soon after marriage, it’s time to procreate, coz who will take care of the oldies in the future.

Wait! Where did the excitement about the future go?

I’m not saying it’s all wrong. I’m saying maybe a li’l change in mindset is required here? After all, all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy and Jill a dull girl, or whichever gender one associates with.

Yeah, things are changing, at snail pace. Can’t help the previous generations, but hoping the newer ones will toss aside the VR addiction and live a li’l of the real life rather than only planning and being excited about the future and never actually enjoying the fruits of hard labour. And I mean really live life, close to nature, with your loved ones, or just indulge in self-love, enjoy the present moments of peace and happiness, whatever’s left of it after a long day at work or school or whatever. Coz who really knows whether the next item life pulls out from that bag of unknowns will be a trick or treat!

What am I most excited about for the future? I think the next trip. And a bigger home with a yard. And probably a cat. Also, a super high paid dream job. But for now, I’ll just have to hold on to the excitement lest it turn into anxiety.

You got the answer, right? Ciao!