Living life to the fullest

A pressing issue which has come to the surface but always existed within us is learning how to prioritise in the present and how to structure a desirable future based on what we have. The goal to life as per Maslow’s need hierarchy is self- actualisation as a means to absolute happiness. What does this really mean? Happiness means different things to different people – to some, it could be as simple as stargazing into the beautiful night sky while for another, it would be saving up for a fancy car, say a Rolls Royce. Although these goals are worldly different, both are valid forms of happiness. In recent times, people have begun to put into practice the second option – convenience and materialistic luxury above all else.

People have now normalised bartering time, family, health (physical and mental) for a so-called lifestyle upgrade. They freely make a trade-off between themselves and the lives they aspire to live. Fitness is a new industry; self-care is a trend – Wealth is the new health in town! Especially in the context of the evolving corporate world with working hours all-round the clock, moonlighting, and the latest ‘fads’ to keep up with alongside the hustle-bustle of city life, our well-being and the essence of our true goals get lost somewhere along the way.

Spiritual goals no longer align with career aspirations and personal bucket lists. For instance, many of us probably look forward to an early retirement because we want to explore the beauty of the world, spend time with loved ones and chill out in a cozy big house of our making. However, when this fantasy is boiled down to a real action plan, a number of obstacles come in our way. Maybe all that time we spent burning ourselves out to reach a happy place simply made us turn into a different version of ourselves that no longer has the same set of goals. In the process of saving up for our dream house, we realise that our backs are too old to handle adventure sports like we had once hoped or perhaps luxury became such habit that no amount would suffice for retirement. Life ruts on and so do we. Is that the kind of future we all want for ourselves – perpetual greed for a new so-called success only to realise we are at square one?

This is the part where we all a step back and think – “What am I really doing? What do I really want?” The sooner you ask yourself the right questions, the sooner you will reach the right answers. A simple and straightforward solution to this dilemma would be to sit with oneself and figure out what it is that you really want to do? Making small choices like – “Do I need to wait till my retirement to go to my dream country or can I make a holiday plan and get that off my checklist right away?” That’s when it will all click satisfyingly into place. Live life in the present so that you can keep doing the things you love balancing it with the things that facilitate your passions. Ideally meld your passion and profession into one and that would be the ultimate deadly combination!