Birthday reflections

I’m running the risk of sounding like one of those sent-a-million-times-over-email-forward, but I will continue undaunted with some of the things I’ve personally experienced and realised having come this far…So jotting this down here. It’s a long list!

You can’t change the old school of thought parents come from, no matter how hard you try or how much you try and explain your point of view. It’s best to be obedient soemtimes. No questions asked.

Having a close knit family is the most important thing in life. It most often consists of your inner circle of friends and just very few relatives. They can be the sole reason of you surviving tough phases. It’s impossible to thank them or tell them how much they mean to you.

A job is only a part of your life. It’s not your life. But never undermine it’s importance. Standing on one’s two feet is the best thing you can do for yourself.

You can’t help it if your childhood friend goofs up. That friendship is sacred and will be there forever. Doesn’t matter if you don’t agree on most of the things the friend does.

There is a very thin line between spending and splurging.

White lies save a lot of trouble and heartache. Complete honesty sometimes is not the best policy.

Sometimes nothing ever comes to you on a platter. Every thing needs hard work. And a bit of luck.

You have to keep trying to make a few things work. Keep on trying.

Marriage is for keeps. You have to choose right. Period.

Hope can be cruel sometimes and can easily break your heart.

There is little difference between optimism and realism. Each work well in their own way.

You might not always get what you deserve. You get less at times, more at other times and just the right amount sometimes.

Everything’s not black or white. There’s grey too. Different shades of grey.

If you can’t laugh at yourself, you’ll never recognise the humour of life.

Religion and God are very personal things. You cannot fathom another person’s reaction on this.

You must have something you love to do. Be it a hobby or anything else.

You’ll always treasure the crazy, wild nights. Even if you’ve made a fool of yourself on each and every one of those nights.

It’s amazing how contradictory events and feelings can be experienced. Life is ironic.

A house accumulates objects over the years without you realising it. Go minimal. Give away things you don’t need.

Charity begins at home. So does keeping your environment green and clean.

You will have atleast one neighbour you don’t like.

Enjoy a sport even if you don’t or can’t play it.

Music and movies are universal.

Indifference is the answer to a lot of things.

Talking, ‘getting things off your chest’ and sharing really helps.

There’s no substitute to home food. And your mother’s cooking.

Nature will always amaze you. Be it as small as the smell of the earth after rain. Or the bloom of flowers in spring. Or the summit of a mountain. Or a flowing river. Or the raging sea and the blissful beach. Or snow.

Have a garden, even if it’s just potted plants in a 2×2 square.

Know when to let go and when to continue.

Compromise makes for a good umbrella but not a good roof.

A family that travels together (on a regular basis) stays together.

Always give the benefit of doubt before jumping into conclusions.

No matter how old you are, you’ll still be a kid to your parents which means you’re still as likely to get ticked off as you were when you were a kid.

Beauty is skin deep and is very much in the eyes of the beholder.

Relationships are dynamic. That’s the best part about them.

There’s nothing like ‘getting over’ the passing away of a parent. Time doesn’t heal everything. All the memories are just locked up in a black box inside the back of your head. There will be times when you will open it up and everything comes flooding back. Like reality. The past takes over you and the present blurs. And the pain stays, forever…

You must be comfortable being by yourself and giving that space to yourself even if all you do during that time is ‘nothing’.

Things usually don’t go as expected or planned. However it’s still important to plan.

You can never expect the unexpected.

Material things sometimes never match up to genuine words.

Change is always drastic.

Life can turn topsy-turvy anytime.

Don’t just laugh, guffaw.

Spontaneity is good.

Finding happiness in the details and the small things can keep you going even if there’s nothing big happening in your life. Never lose the ability to notice and enjoy them. And start doing those small things that can make a difference.

It’s all about balance.

p.s. I’ll probably add more to this list. Guess I’m not just getting older, but wiser as well, no?