Life has become fast, competition has become the rhythm, and
the only aspiration is to earn paid leaves which could be taken forward to next
financial year, unsure if it would ever be utilized. This has been the mantra
of today’s generation. I am not blaming the world but myself. The decision to
work after study was mine and the decision to work after marriage was also
mine. No one to question here but was that my passion or my arrogant
self-respect which denied to accept the fact that I could also stay at home and
still fulfill my accomplishments not every house wife is a daily soap preacher
not every working woman is Sheryl Sandburg. But when you are in denial mode
everything seems wrong and you are called judgmental.
My life is pretty much an open book nothing to overdo or
nothing to brag about. When fortune knocked at the door I was flying high and
opted every bit of the clue. But after sailing the boat for years together when
I look back I was taken back with the shock that the accomplishments are not
worth for the sacrifices I did. The sacrifices did not sound big when I did
from skipping a meal, eating junk, working late night, postponing a dinner date and the list is
long. Today I have grown unhealthy, allergic to tons of things cannot breath in
fresh air cause of pollen. I ask few questions to myself have I met my goals?
Was this what I have always longed for? What if I would have opted for healthy
life over a successful life?
All these questions were unveiled when I had been to US for
a short trip. People here as well rush for the success but unlike me their
priorities health over money and enjoyment over commitment and personal
life over career have given me a jaw
dropping experience. Here people leave early to go out and enjoy TODAY over
yesterday and then get back to work. Here also they slog over nights but
without sacrificing the meals, dinner dates, movies. Here they get loads of
time to spend with each other, no one looks at you when you leave early from office,
no one ticks the watch when you arrive. These things seem to be small but was
impactful when I witnessed it. It was a trip of two weeks flew like a dream. I
would always remember this as one of my best moments shared with none other but
myself. Explored everything from cooking to shopping to hunting to flirting. I
actually relived a life of a college girl. However, I never knew of this fun
when I was in college.
I had always seen people brain drained to different
countries for better opportunity, for better earning or may be for a mere peer
pressure. And being the spectator I had always criticized them for such
decision of their own. I have never urged or felt bad for not moving out to a
different country, could be the upbringing or the roots from military that had
made me feel this way. I had been to other countries for vacations or leisure
still I was not convinced to migrate from my base. People post return do
campaign about the experience and thoughts of their cognizance executed so far.
All this have never mesmerized me to be taken away from my root notions.
This time I was convinced not by the money, not by the
pressure, not by the fame but by the work life balance culture of here. The
freedom of not thinking about future which is in any case uncertain. I wish I
do come here for work again.
