Em's Musing #1: You Have Your Own Time, Life Is Not A Race

By the age of 23, you must be a College graduate.

By the age of 27, you are supposed to be a supervisor in a renowned company.

By the age of 30, you must have your own house perhaps a car too.

By the age of 35, you must be a manager or even an executive in a company. If not, being a CEO of your own company.

By the age of 40, you must be living your dreams.

This has been a timeline set on stone to us by our society. Your journey in life has been scheduled for you but the thing is, we are all different from each other. Let me tell you why that approach may fail you.

The truth is, mostly of what is happening in your life is not what you plan.

I know, you are confused why you're still not in the position you have perceived for yourself when you're in High School or College. You might be thinking to yourself, “I am such a failure.” Scrolling through Facebook and Instagram, you see your friends having the perfect life; a life you have always wanted. How did he afford to buy a house while I can’t even pay for a downpayment? How did he own a car when I am How did he landed my dream job when he was the guy always the last in rankings back in High School?

How can they afford to travel when you can’t? After asking these questions you will feel insecure, pissed off and pity yourself because you haven’t met the goals set for you (or you set for yourself) 5 years ago. You are still stuck in a boring routine and a paying job that isn’t your passion. Please don’t get frustrated because the truth is, most of the things that is happening to you right now isn’t what you have planned. I am not saying your dreams will not come true rather...

You have your own time. Don't compare your life to everyone else.

It is tempting to just quit everything and do what you have planned before but I think that’s the worst thing you could do because a lot of things has changed. And nothing stays the same. Change is the only constant thing in this world. Your mood can change from happy to sad to frustrated to angry to relax to happy again all in one day!

Your time will come to have all those things that you are dreaming of. Everyone has their own clock so don’t compare yourself to others. Comparing yourself to others is like insulting your skills and capabilities. Don't rush things instead, make your days worthwhile. Again, nothing is set on stone and your time will come. Do not pressure yourself.

Your life is not set for you.

I want to share with you what Jay Shetty, a monk gaining popularity on Facebook, has to say about waiting for your own time:

I know people who graduated at 21 and didn’t get a job until they were 27.
I know people who graduated at 25 and they found work immediately.
I know people who never went to university but found what they love at 18.
I know people who found a job straight out of college making decent money, but hate what they do.
I know people who took gap years and found their purpose.
I know people who were so sure about what they were going to do at 16, they change their mind at 26.
I know people who have children but are single.
And I know people who are married but had to wait 8 to 10 years to have children.
I know people in relationships who love someone else.
I know people who love each other but aren’t together.
So my point is everything in life happens according to our time, our clock.
You may look at some of your friends and think that they’re ahead of you, maybe some of them you feel are behind, but everything happens at their own pace.
They have their own time and clock and so do you.
Be patient.
Getting a degree after 25 is still an achievement.
Not being married at 30 but still happy is beautiful.
Starting a family after 35 is still possible.
And buying a house after 40 is still great.
Don’t let anyone rush you with their timelines.
Because as Einstein said:
“Not everything that counts can be counted
and not everything that’s counted truly counts.”
And this is the most important thing,
I want you to be able to create meaningful, purposeful fulfilling lives for yourselves and learn how to use that to make an impact and difference in the lives of others.
That will be true success.

Video taken from the YouTube Channel of Jay Shetty.

April 15, 2018 - 7:00 PM