I turned 21 recently and post this, a series of discussions sparked at home as to how 21 marks a significant transition into adulthood, how I should be behaving more rationally and maturely, how I should start taking more accountability for my actions, how I should start looking at the broader picture, start taking multiple perspectives into consideration and then take important decisions..... by the end of this discussion, I was mentally overwhelmed as to how when you turn 21, the family that treated you like a baby for so long suddenly starts expecting you to behave like an adult. (Kinda difficult pill to swallow for a girl like me who was always the pampered kid, but then yeah, growing age brings expectations which I realised on this day).
While I was in this mindset and was talking to my grandmother about the discussion that happened at home, she said- "When I was 21, I was a mother of two kids and was feeding a family of four. Be grateful that you are only being asked to be mature and aren't expected to feed a family all by yourself."
Her words completely shook me and I realised how significantly times have changed. We have the biggest asset with us- the power of choice. The power to say 'NO' to something we aren't mentally and physically ready for. We have the autonomy to take decisions on our own and in case we don't want to steer our life in a conventional manner, we can struggle, make a mark, and prove all the naysayers wrong. End of the day, it comes down to the fact that we have a CHOICE- even though that means we might have to struggle to pursue something unconventional- we have a CHOICE to choose that struggle. That itself is the biggest asset.
Somehow, we are taking this for granted and aren't realising how convenient our lives have become in comparison to the previous generations. We have the option to cherry-pick whatever we want- let it be the clothes we want to wear, the kind of phone we want to purchase, the way we want to carry ourselves in a crowd- almost everything. We have an option to compare and choose what is best for us. In case our choices are being questioned, we have a choice to explain why the choice we have picked is the best one for us and convince people. Even in the smallest of small things we get to be choosy because again- WE HAVE A CHOICE.
One important point is that just because we have a choice, we shouldn't use that to take decisions in haste and lack of clarity. This might lead us to spoil our life and the power of choice being taken away from us. Exercise caution with respect to the kind of choices you make because end of the day, it is you who is responsible for your life. Don't make the power of choice the very reason for you to lose out on your life.
With great power comes great responsibility and this power of choice is a double-edged sword. If used wisely, you can make miracles in your life and if used carelessly, you will become a prisoner of your own choices. Make this power your asset, carve the best path for yourself and whenever you are given a chance to exercise this power- pause, think and make the best out of it because end of the day, IT ALL COMES DOWN TO CHOICE.
- Anusha Sridhar
We almost forgot about it that "we have a choice" . But still we have lot to overcome ! .It felt like yeah! ,We do have this power. Thankyou for reminding ! All the best for your future .
ReplyDeleteVery nice. Everyone has to caution themselves on choices. It may lead to good or bad.
ReplyDeleteWe are privileged; our lives are easier not just compared to previous generations, but also compared to those in countries where women have no rights. With this privilege comes the responsibility to use our freedom to choose wisely. This was a great reminder of that. Thank you, this was a brilliant read.
ReplyDeleteGood article Anu. Accept changes in life. Take risk to an extent where you can retrieve yourself when at minimal stage as everything you can't measure n take up. Some risks taken have been fruitful for me few times.. Wish you good luck.
ReplyDeleteWell written... happy that the discussion at home made you contemplative and gave you a clear perspective... agree with your views that the freedom to choose should not make you haughty because at the end of the day you are responsible for your choices...i appreciate the fact that you chose to write on this topic ... hope to read about some more nice writings from you
ReplyDeleteVery well written Anusha . We forget that we have choices now and it is imperative we use it judiciously.
ReplyDeleteDidn't realise when my kutti ponnu became an adult....Time just flew. All the best for a great future. May God guide you in making wise choices in your life. 👍👍👍👍
ReplyDeleteWell written! I was just thinking about the “power of choice” I have today. I feel lucky to not have financial stress like many others and to have time to relax, even though life always finds its own complexities.
ReplyDeleteThe power of choice...well written anu. We excise choice in most mundane things also. But it is a very important decision that we take factoring various components.
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