Lessons and Life's Wake-up Call in first half of 2023
Reflecting on the wild rollercoaster ride that has been the first half (almost) of 2023, I can't help but feel like I stumbled into a vortex of conflicting ideologies and values. It was like being caught in a chaotic battle that made me question the essence of everything I've learned, experienced, and tested throughout my life. Talk about a mind-bending journey!
This internal clash of ideas triggered a severe bout of self-doubt. Let's face it, as humans; we're wired to be affected by external conflicts, whether we like it or not. It's as if our internal equilibrium gets tossed into a whirlwind, leaving us bewildered and disoriented. And what's worse, we often find ourselves driven by an innate desire to correct everything wrong in this world, even though it's not something we can realistically accomplish, and this only amplifies our anxiety.
I've noticed this phenomenon before, but the displeasure of experiencing it once again reinforced the realization that morals in life and career pursuits are rarely openly discussed. Why is that? Because shining a spotlight on them would mean being accountable for our actions. People prefer to dodge accountability as they march forward, blissfully unaware of the mess they're creating until it eventually blows up in their faces and harms those around them. It's like watching a train wreck in slow motion.
Other factors are our economic conditions; the comparison traps we fall into, and the insatiable desire to show off. These factors drive people to engage in actions that harm themselves and others associated with them. It's a tangled web of complications fueled by the relentless pursuit of something that ultimately holds little value. And it's a long game. The repercussions may not be visible the next day but will eventually manifest.
At one of the yoga studios in Kingston closed due to the pandemic.
At that point, you have two choices: compromise or break free. The former comes with more anxiety for life, which you can't even discuss because its you who DECIDED to compromise (the curse of ego), while the latter brings liberation but comes at the cost of losing short-term gains you've gathered.
Take, for example, the quality of lies people tell these days. It's as if they've upgraded to a spicier version of shamelessness. You present them with undeniable truth, backed by facts, logic, and sometimes just common sense, and what do they do? They deny it. Because accepting it would shatter their created illusion, they fear losing their edge if they were to take accountability or risk damaging the personal and social status they've lured people into believing. And it's not just individuals; the system we live in and the social fabric also support this behaviour. Unfortunate but true.
I am guilty of engaging in endless arguments to prove a point and draining my energy with such people. But guess what? As I sit here writing this, I've come to a liberating realization, and I say: Go ahead, indulge in your delusions. It doesn't matter anymore, and nobody cares. It took me some time to arrive at this realization, but better late than never.
But then, why am I writing this? To vent or give you something to ponder about your place in life. This post is not inspirational; it's just a realization, which in my case, I am using as fuel for writing because that's one way I upgrade and monetize my work (Oh Zoha, so that's why you write – so selfish).
So yeah, this was the mind-blowing lesson I learned in the first half of the year. Today the self-doubt is under control, and the joy is back; life is in check, and, most importantly, my values are preserved. How did I achieve that? Through extensive reading, reflection, counselling, and a lot of care and cookies from friends and family, who for some divine reason, always have my back.
Lately, I've been using the hashtag #CareerLifestyle in my posts, which signifies the interconnectedness of everything we do in our careers and lives. It's like the concept of the network society I learned about in my IR courses, but it also applies to life and career context. Our existence is a finely woven system where every aspect is intertwined and affects one another. So, instead of fighting against this intricate network, we can embrace and learn to navigate it. We can adapt, go with the flow, and preserve our sanity by simply not caring about things we cannot change and focusing on what is within our control: our actions and reactions.
However, inevitably, challenges will arise, and they will affect us. That's why it's important not to focus on the specific challenges but on our ability to deal with them. So, here's the golden nugget of wisdom (if you believe me): Focus on the things that will last forever as long as you're alive. Cultivate a thirst for knowledge, pursue your purpose, prioritize maintaining good health, and have honest intentions and values while interacting with everyone around you. These pillars will stand tall, long after the transient external factors disappear.
So, to sum it all up in a neatly wrapped nutshell:
Honesty is still the best policy, but hey, don't go around imposing it on others. Let them figure it out for themselves. Have the courage to let go.
Align your life with enrichment and exploration. That's how you'll truly unravel the mysteries of this crazy thing called life and make better choices along the way.
Take care of yourself, my friend. At the end of the day, you are all you have. And if you are a decent person, you're automatically a source of good for others.
Well,
I hope this post adds value to your life in some way.
Thank you for reading :)
