It’s a situation that each one of us goes through. A crossroad we stand at, almost every day. It’s a choice, everyone has to make every so often.
It’s not hard to recollect incidents like these. It happens to everyone. What path do you choose when you stand at such a crossroad? Are you always inclined towards doing what you want to do or you are the person who always does what needs to be done.
The path you choose reveals who we are and determines the experience you’ll have.
If you chose to do what you want…
You will end up achieving almost everything you dreamed of. There won’t be any regret on that front. Life would be satisfying and you will get to say – “Been there, done that” a lot.
On the flip side, you will be pleasing none but yourself; and that would alienate many people. Though you will be happy, you won’t have any worthwhile friend to share that happiness with. People may accept your presence but they will always see you as a self-centered person.
If you choose to do what needs to be done…
You will end up being a problem solver for everyone. You will be respected for your selflessness and many will flock around as friends. For being with you would give them the assurance that there’s someone who’ll always do the right thing no matter what.
On the flip side though, you won’t feel content deep within. Your life will be full of compromises, leaving behind a feeling of emptiness that would remind you of the million opportunities you missed in your lifetime.
Either ways, you lose something that matters. Whether it’s the being loved or being content, you will always miss it, inspite of having the one you most wanted. It’s inevitable.
Is there a way that would give us best of both worlds? Probably!
Why take just one stand throughout your life. Life is not constant. Why should your decisions be? Why shouldn’t you choose the path based on the situation.
If it feels right to go for what we want, then so be it. But if we realize that we should be doing what needs to be done, than may as well do that. This way, every situation will be new and you will be a new person every time. And at all times, you will be content knowing that you’ve done the right thing. It doesn’t matter, if at sometimes you are just doing what is right for you as long as at other times you are doing what is right for others.
Life is a onetime experience. You have a limited time in which you have to meet the eternal purpose of your existence. It’s not wise to have a single pattern of behavior all throughout your life. Most importantly, it’s not expected of you. Life is infinitely variable. It changes every moment, and then why shouldn’t you?
So don’t bother about being content or being loved all the time. There’s nothing wrong in failing to meet other people’s expectation just as much as there’s nothing wrong in being dissatisfied at times. If it’s a moment of social acceptance, so be it. And if it’s a moment of self gratification, then so be it. Just do what you can and be ok with whatever life gives you.
