Borrowed Time

On my way back from work today, I had nothing but the radio to keep me company.

I'm addicted to NPR anyway :-) It's a different story that these days I also do get very irate when I hear all those great people with stellar achievements, from all kinds of universities sit there analysing/re-analysing the same topic over and over again - my anger stems from the fact that all these big heads put together couldn't stop the country and indirectly the world from going to dogs. The economic mess we are all in - where were these people? Drinking coffee or hiking in the mountains? How could all of us be blind sighted this way? Or is there a hint of a nexus here?

Anyway that's an entirely different discussion. I'm not even nearly as qualified enough to debate on the issue.

But in my opinion, the country/world doesn't need more MBAs or engineers. It needs better humans. We can manage with what we have as long as we care for this human race and have the right intentions to make it work. That's what I struggle with day in and day out.

Today I found out that one of my friends wife has been diagnosed with cancer in the intestine and has been operated upon. And what does that mean? Borrowed time. That's what it means.

Another friend has been diagnosed with breast cancer. She has been in and out of Stanford hospital in the last 3 months. What does that mean? Borrowed time again.

Time these people spend away from their children, people they love - how will they justify those last few years/days? What would be a worthy cause to not be with people they care for and instead be at work or at something else they need to do versus they would have done?

And what happens to their goals, objectives, career moves and everything else they would have done to make themselves fall into the category of being "Successful" - a definition they arrived upon or created by the society.

And with all of this hanging on each of us like a Damocles's sword, we pretend as if we are so in control of tomorrow. Maybe ignorance is bliss in this scenario. Live for today and not for tomorrow is after all a good practice.

It is very easy to say and so very difficult to practice - isn't it? I little discomfort is so unbearable in our lives. Are we only talking lofty ideals here? Maybe and maybe not.

The little games, the egos, the hide-seek we all play every single day of lives is what makes this game so fake. It provides spice to live? Maybe another way of looking at it.

Maybe a very cynical view, a pragmatic view or even a pessimistic view - like it or not, I think each of us are living on borrowed time. We all have a finite number of breaths to breathe. Yes, could be hundreds or thousands - but it is very finite.

And we need to make these moments of our lives precious, worthwhile and memorable! Don't let them float away...we will never be able to re-live them - again, ever!

Yes, there is also the very enthusiastic, positive side of me that tells that there is so much to do and so little time! True. But, in that little time we need to prioritize what we do and don't do. Do you agree?

It's a weird thing I always think - on the day I lie on my death bed, who or what will I think of? Ask yourself this question. You will be surprised that your sub-conscious will have some answers ready for you. These impressions are not what you may have formed in the last few months/years. These are people or situations that have left those impressions on you. Deep inside.

Positive or negative is the next question.

I want to be remembered by all those who will ever care to think of me in their last few breaths, in a good way - in a very positive way. Not as someone who hurt them in any way. Never! At least I'll always try not to - till the end. Why? Because, I think that's where you score your final brownie points - rest everything in between only happens. For this final score to happen, it'll take a lifetime!

On the risk of sounding like a preacher, I urge each one of you to be grateful for every day you get, be humane, be kind - tell people who care for you that you are always there for them, don't run away from situations in a cowardly fashion, stand up for them/for you!

In the end - smile a lot!!!