What would others think?

We are social animals, they said. Each of us cannot live in isolation and our lives are not lived by us alone, but by people surrounding us as well. That includes parents, siblings, relatives, friends, well wishers and society. All our decisions must be in the best interests of all these entities. However, to what extent?

I make a choice for my haircut, one of them would say, “What would others think?”

I choose my eating habits and one of them would say, “What would others think?”

I choose the music I listen to, and one of them would say, “What would others think?”

I choose the clothes I wear, which are decent, and one of them would say, “What would others think?”

I choose to spend my earnings, the way I wish to and one of them would say, “What would others think?”

We have become answerable, more to society than to our own conscience. Suppressing the desire to chase dreams, making sacrifices, remaining in shackles, being part of the continuum, of the rinse-repeat cycle.

To not answer the question, “What would others think?”

Getting so far wasn’t easy. It, however, didn’t involve answering that question.

Leaving it to the End

This post is solely based on this tweet on life lessons from watering plants. When I’m watering plants using a bucket and mug(too broke to procure a hose, the tube kind FYKI), I usually end up having more water for the last pot. This can be brushed aside as a classic case of miscalculation of the actual quantity of water after which I need to turn off the tap. However, the next tweet from this person, probably inspired by the reply to me went like this.

Got me thinking about the way I have managed to do things all this while, leaving the important sweeter, happier, tastier(ahem ahem, NOT A TWSS bait) things to the end. I usually leave the meat pieces for the last because I just love having them without any bread or rice. Or tapioca. I do the same with pickles too, but that’s because I’ve never figured out how they enhance the flavour of a meal. In my not so humble opinion, they simply push every other flavour into obscurity. Except the Cut Mango Pickle that my mom makes.

Anyway, leaving it to the end. It not only keeps you worried about whether your friend, or in the case of food, foe will steal snatch it away.

So much for saving for the future. Also, enough food for thought. For now.

Animal Farm

1. You are getting sick of some aspect of your life.
2. You take a turn for the better.
3. You force yourselves to believe that it is much better than you were going through earlier.
4. You reinforce that belief through tougher times.
5. You tell people around you, who tell you that you are ruining your life, that you are much better off than you were earlier.
6. You carry on.
7. You realize, finally, that this is much similar to the earlier setup, if not worse.
8. You go back to point 1 again.

I swear….

I am sure it has happened to you at least once. You try hard to convince someone that you did see something happen, which was not the intended behaviour. You are excited. You miss a detail. You see a certain thing from a different perspective. You think that the behaviour was different. You call your pal to show him how the behaviour is different. He points out that the behaviour is exactly what it should be. You realize your folly. You do not want to accept that. He is the offending party. He did it wrong. You were right. You find it hard to admit your mistake. You swear.

UPDATE : I have a new tumblog going on to record such instances in life. Would really appreciate it if you can contribute/spread the word about it.

Popularity hides mediocrity

Discuss.