Life is an oxymoron. You know you’ll die someday, but you don’t know when. Have you wondered what places you’ve already visited, which people you’ve already met, what great things that happened to you, for the last time? While you may not think twice about going to your last college party, you may want to have a plan about starting your own business.
Is it justified to work really hard, ignoring all fun, to have fun later on when you turn 40? How wise is it to not spend a penny on parties to save money for a ‘secure future’? “Plan for the future because that’s where you are going to spend the rest of your life.” But then on the other side of the fence lies the philosophy of living your every day, like it is your last. How do you live your life?
Balance. Balance yourself on the fence, such that you the best of both worlds.
Live yourself fully, but maintain a long term outlook on all endeavors. Don’t postpone life-enriching experiences, hold onto them tight, because something this great may never happen twice.
Don’t put yourself in situations where temptation will be too great for your willpower. If something doesn’t feel right, get out before it is too late. Surround yourself with positive people. Get rid of the toxic ones in your life. Identify your strengths, your talents, your values, and allow them to guide your life. Learn to keep an inventory- make a schedule regarding your work, keep a check on your spendings, and make sure you have enough to enjoy yourself and get new experiences. Never leave a learning opportunity. You may think,”What I the point of a new language, a new skill, or a new art form, if I may never be perfect?” It may take many years to perfect your knowledge and use it profitably, but when you start with something, you should aim eventual perfection. Short-term gains aren’t meant for the long haul.
Success is when you are able to strike a balance and maintain it. You should be able to live your life, without ending up broke every month, or after you turn 60. You should not be a workaholic, sitting behind the office desks all day, with only a single dream about a great retirement, where in reality you are actually missing out on your golden days of youth.
Live your present to the fullest, plan your future, accept your past and learn from your mistakes. Make important decisions by thinking about all the consequences. Because you may die on day, but you do have a journey until then; live as if there was a 50:50 chance you will die tomorrow and a 50:50 chance you will live forever.
Have an adventurous mind, and live like a visionary.