by Onkarjot Singh – A few days from now, we will enter 2020 which means another 365 days have passed in a flash. And we will wish everyone ‘Happy New Year’. A great achievement! Isn’t it? Anyways coming back to the present, as I add one more year to my life, I also realize all of the connections on the social media accounts (753 friends on facebook, 1002 connections on LinkedIn, I don’t use Insta or Twitter much so not considering it) would add another calendar year to their respective life spans.

When I was a child, I used to question a lot of things, our existence, why this, why that… a lot got clarified and a lot remained blurred, a few things were assumed and probably a lot is yet to be discovered and still remained beyond the boundaries of my present imagination.

When I was a child, I played as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: I was more creative and self expression was visible to others, but as I grew older I was more confined to myself; I become quieter observing, learning and growing from personal experiences.

When I was a child I was told, people belong to different religions so I believed that there were some sort of boundaries but now I learnt that there aren’t any boundaries and all religions preach truth and are equal; and there’s a dimension beyond the religion; only few explore and move forward.

When I was a child, I thought that hard work is the only way to achieve success, now I learnt that hard work is not the only way and can never guarantee success, wealth, power and so on.

When I was a child, I used to think about others’ happiness  and then comparisons followed, now I learnt that happiness comes from within and people who pretend to be happy could be living artificial lives and may actually be depressed in real lives.

When I was a child, I learnt that we should keep up to date with fashion trends, gadgets, and behave more modern and up market  but now I realize those aren’t just enough to keep us happy all the time.

When I was a child, I believed that becoming wealthy isn’t an easy thing; one must have high IQ levels but now learning that it isn’t that difficult either and intelligence cannot guarantee; it is just one of many factors.

When I was a child, when I used to watch the news, it seemed unbiased and informative, but now when I watch I feel it is manipulated and misleading; I stopped watching about 6 years ago..

When I was a child, I was told to get best grades all the time but now learnt that no one bothers your grades when you appear for the interview or you’re in front of your customer or a client. What matters is your personality, confidence, energy and clarity of your thoughts. The truth about the grades is that those would end up somewhere in the corner of your house and probably waste bins after you’re gone…

When I was a child, I was told to ‘focus’ more and more on what I do, but now I am realizing that one should be creative in what they do. The focus will automatically follow you.

When I was a child, I used to think destiny is written and cannot be changed but now I learn that destiny (or luck, whatever you want to call) can be altered just by mind management.

When I was a child, the world felt more safe and meaningful. Infact, it reached out and embraced me in a comfortable, welcoming, protective way. I felt at home in the world, later in my school, I learnt that that there’s a shortage of natural resources, climate changes are real (even though Mr. Trump not agreeing to it yet) the wars and natural disaster can stuck upon us  anytime…

When I was a child I would sometimes get angry with my friends, siblings, cousins but now I learn that there’s a connection that binds us together. Even when we’re busy, we still think of them and would love to chit chat.

When I was a child, I never wanted to leave my home, never wanted to leave my family that would make everyone sad but then I realized that they aren’t going to travel everywhere with me.

When I was a child, I loved playing with clay, creating scientific models, exploring sky at night without fear of being judged but now that I think more about how others will perceive me when I do those things.

When I was a child, I never thought of the sacrifices our parents have done for us but now when I am a father I think more and more about our parents and appreciate them. And would love to spend time with them because I know the time lost won’t come back.

When I was a child, I thought the most powerful thing in the world is wealth, but as I grow, I am learning that the most powerful things are ‘unconditional love’ and ‘true happiness’.

When I was a child, I used to fear about a struggles in one’s life but now when I connect the dots backward, I understand that the struggle actually paved way for opportunities and greater success. And it’s true for all, the only difference is the timing that matters.

When I was a child I thought only a few people are blessed with unique qualities but now I know that every person has a unique talent irrespective of the fact it becomes their career or not; some people realise at age of 10 while for others it may take 50 years and for many who are too busy, it can take a lifetime and still they may not find it.

Then I was a child—but now I am grown.

A few days after Dec 31st night celebrations, I will turn 35 so probably for me more than half of my life has gone (assuming average expectancy is 64 years; this is what we were taught in schools back in days). Only lucky ones hit a 100!  What’s interesting is that over all these years, we’ve evolved, situations have changed, relationships have grown, we’ve attained some level of maturity etc. As we scroll through our own timeline (or others’) several times during the day (or perhaps in the middle of the night), what we get are the opportunities to know about other; how are we evolving and then we have the opportunities to learn (or inspired) from each other’s life for.g. one of my connections had started an NGO and now feels, speaks and shares about his initiative…another one started his own music studio, another one started his training institute; the examples are endless and much inspiring!

If you’ve read up till here; it is highly likely that you’re also evolved human being and could relate to a few things and some greater learnings which aren’t in my list. That’s why comment boxes are created..

With Love,

Onkarjot Singh