“Age is an issue of mind over matter. If you don’t mind, it does not
matter” Mark Twain
I am just one day away from completing 31 years of
existence. Yes, it is my 32nd birthday on 28th November
2013. And, I am composing this post sitting in a Go Air Flight from Delhi to
Ranchi. I am not sure whether it is appropriate to start with an embarrassing
experience I had last week while in Cochin with a female colleague. This
incidence has some connection to what I have started with i.e., my age, date of
birth etc. Anyways, let me go ahead and narrate it for you.
We always try to avoid discussions related to our age with
those who are known to us. I take special care to divert the discussions when
such topics come up. However, it did come up last week and when this most
unwanted question was thrown at me, I tried to play smart and asked my colleague
to do some guess work on my age. ‘You must be around 34-35’. The reply was so
quick giving me the shock of my life. For, I have always heard people telling
me that I look 2-3 years younger than my original age. And, her reply was the
hardest hit ever to my pride! I suddenly bounced back saying, ‘no, I am just 30
only. I am a 1983-model. She seemed to have believed it. I do not know what I have
gained by telling her a lie about the year of my birth which is 1982. Recurring
thoughts about this incident still embarrasses me. I wanted to confess it to
her. But, I dropped that idea later as this would not be a matter of concern
for her. I think it was an attempt to convince my inner-self that I just
touched my thirties and still somewhere in the beginning of the fourth decade
in my life. Back in the hotel, I spent so much time in front of the mirror
looking for signs of aging at my face. Yes, I am aging. I should agree.
Those three years from thirty to thirty three were the
defining years in the life of Jesus Christ. We also have other great leaders
who made their presence felt in the world by this time. I had a feeling that, I
still have, the first three years of my thirties would be the defining years in
my life as well. In other words, these years would set the ground for my future
at the personal and professional fronts. One year has already passed without
any substantial achievement.
From now on, at the personal front, I think I need to focus
more on making myself available to my dear and near ones when they are most in
need of my presence. In my wife’s opinion, I never fail to take care of their
needs but nothing is done on time. I take my sweet time to do things for them.
Yes. I will ensure that their needs are taken care of on time every time. Mentally
and emotionally, I have to be more connected to my wife. There are strained
relations within our family circles that require patch-up. Being the father to
a one-year-old son, it is all the more important to live a life worth imitating
for him.
As a professional, I think I am now with the right
organisation and working for a cause which is very close to my heart. What I am
currently doing is something that I should be doing at this point of time in my
life. My commitment and efforts are acknowledged by the organisation. I should
pay more attention to keep up the credibility of my personal brand intact. At
the same time, I have to keep my eyes and ears open to the world around with
ample opportunities for further growth.
I always wanted to spend time on writing more and improving
the visibility of my Blog. This is going to be the only activity in which I
will pay more attention during the coming year. I am also hopeful about the
prospects of the self-help group I am part of with some other friends. We may
take up at least one activity from many ideas we continue to discuss. Hope all
these would help my mind to be fully engaged as I feel that it would prevent
all the bizarre thoughts as this is the age when people start realising their
capability for greater love and look for scope for the same outside their
marital relations.
Yes. I am coming to terms with the fact that I am now a
walking and talking adult.
Happy Birthday to Meeee!!!!!!
