Dare to do … lest you regret it later

Before you read the next sentence, take a pen and paper and write down 10 things you want to do before you die. If you have difficulty in making that list try and list them under these 4 heads some things you are passionate about, some things that you wish you could, some things that you would love to do for society or for a social cause and some things for your personal and / or professional growth. Now you are ready to appreciate the above quote.

For most of us our teenage and adult life often passes us by in the pursuit of a rat race called life. First we hope to do well academically and then we are feverishly chasing a good job. Along the way we begin family life and then before we know it we have kids, debts and bills. Our entire focus is now on earning more, keeping pace with the lifestyle of our peers and in living life as we would others to expect us to. In short we let the expectations of the future drive our present and relegate our past to a distant dream.

Pause a moment now and look to the past. Do you recollect the childhood dreams that you have had? The images conjured by some compelling stories you read of heroes in text books be it a historical figure, a scientist, an explorer or a mythological character would have ignited visions of similar achievements. Perhaps your parents or grandparents may have sowed the seed of some long term goals in your mind. There could be encouraging remarks by teachers that have had a deep influence in your life. The question is did you earnestly pursue it or did the dictates of prudence and the weight of parental expectations make you abandon your cherished ideals?

Cut to the present and ask yourself ‘what are those dreams and passions that still gnaw at my heart?’ Now is the time to plan and execute a strategy to give your passions, dreams and aspirations a chance to flower and bloom. You may have to sacrifice much, have enormous self belief, be bold and take risks. In the long run it will be worth it. Finally you will sing that song that was seeking a voice, paint the picture that was seeking a canvas and build that edifice that till now you merely visualized.

Go back and read the first paragraph again. There is so much you can do for yourself. There is so much of excitement, happiness and contentment waiting to be experienced. So what are you waiting for? Go on break free; indulge, experiment, experience and exult. If you don’t do it now, it could be too little too late and 20 years from today you would be wondering how you could let that opportunity slip by.

Action Points:

Here are 10 options for you to choose from and attempt

Learn a new dance form
Make your own Acronyms (see www.poweract.blogspot.com for clues)
Get a new pet
Learn a new computer game/ card game
Experience the notes formed by filling 6 identical cups with progressively more water in each cup and tapping on each with two thin sticks. (The first cup should have the least amount of water and the last cup must be full)
Surprise someone different for a week.
Make an attempt to enjoy something that you hate. Eg. Classical music or reading philosophy or solve a mathematical equation
Visit a nearby ghetto / slum or hospice
Make 3 completely new friends of a different ethnic race/ country/ religion.
Participate in a competition