Whoever said pearls are hidden beauty of age is perhaps not off the mark. When one is young, nothing seems impossible. With each passing day, the irrepressible mind gives way to more awareness of what is possible and what is not, till the time comes when man (or woman) is able to measure his (or her) ability succinctly. That is when he comes face-to-face with reality.
Thoughts such as these are hovering in my mind when last Sunday (Jan 28) I come across Seema Goswami’s article, Looking Back, in HT, Kolkata edition. She lists 28 things, which she wishes she had known when she was in 20s. Here are my choices:
- Nobody really cares that you have a zit on your chin. Truth be told, you are probably the only person aware of its existence.
- No matter how much you diet and how hard you exercise, you will never be that thin again.
- People who invest in mutual funds are not losers.
- You can only really make friends when you are young. After that, you’re stuck with chance acquaintances and work contacts whom you also socialize with.
- Nothing is as important as you think.
- Friends are way more important than lovers – and nearly always outlast them.
- If you want something, don’t be afraid to ask.
- An iron fist works best within a velvet glove.
- You can’t change the world – but don’t let it change you either.
- Don’t color your hair for a lark. You’ll have to do it as a monthly chore soon enough.
- Exercise is something you do to keep fit not to get thin.
- Gravity will take its toll on you, and everything that can sag will sag.
To these, I add my own 2 or 3.
- Opportunity does come more than once. So don’t rue the one you lost last.
- Ultimately, love remains out of necessity.
- Success is the sum of dream, intelligence and pursuance.
Do you have other takes? You’re welcome to post here.
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