The Great Experiment

Well, its been a while since I had the time or the inclination to write something here. Of late have been having this idea of how all of our lives are nothing but a Great Experiment. And the more I thought about it the more it seems to ring true.

After all, none of us really has a script for living out our lives. And even if we do, we rarely stick to that script. What happens instead is that we are faced with situations which are new and not planned for. We face certain choices and then make a decision based on the choices available. Often it is not something that we want to do but have no option. And life takes a different course.

There are no sign posts to guide us and often there is no way for us to know whether the path we have chosen for ourselves will get us anywhere worth going, hence the attraction for wanting to be part of a group. In school, in college, in our neighborhoods, at work- almost everywhere that we go- we try to be part of some group. As we grow older ‘society’ often comes to represent the ultimate group- The Group of All Groups- that we would want to conform to. Personal opinions are sacrificed and, somewhere along the way, the rebellion of youth dies out, the radical ideas give way to an acceptance of the norm. To add insult to injury, this process is termed as ‘getting mature’.

We sacrifice a great opportunity in order to attain to the said (and in my opinion non existent) maturity and stability. Of course there is comfort. But, more often than not, comfort breeds decay.

In contrast, there is fun, excitement and growth in traversing uncharted territory. The knowledge that we are completely responsible for the choices that we are making brings into life and thought a heightened alertness- a quality of being aware. Since there is no guarantee of success we are required to be constantly ready to reap any opportunity that comes our way. Of course there will be failure. However, with the right attitude failure can teach us much more than success ever can.

We each need to realize that we are here just once and for a very short time. And we need to make the most of it. I don’t just mean to say that we should travel the world and cover physical space (though travel also teaches a lot). The realm of ideas, opinions and thoughts has much more to offer. After all it is our ideas that shape our lives.

So we need to be original, even if it means committing the Original Sin. Don’t just conform because everyone else seems to be doing so. Listen to your own drumbeat and follow it. You get but very few opportunities grab them with both hands and make the most of it. Do not wait for tomorrow to set the record right. Start today, right now. Do not get into the vicious rut of ‘I will start tomorrow’. Who knows how many tomorrows we have left.

Experiment!!!

Indulge in that hobby that has always attracted you. Don’t just work for the money. Seek out what brings you joy and do that. The experiment may fail. But that doesn’t mean that it’s the end of the world. Try again, or try something else. You decide. You are the author of and the actor in your life. Make it your way. So that when you look back at your life it will bear the distinct mark of your victory of having been yourself and not the ignominy of surrender.