3 Mistakes

As I approach the end of 2010, I see myself staring at new beginnings or should I say thoughts, not always sanguine but nevertheless interesting. Ageing, death, insecurity, reality of limitation and the universal quest for purpose, it compelled me to reflect and retrospect instead of looking ahead. I have been an above average student, a good son, a dependable friend, tolerable spouse, not so bad professional and an indulgent dad. But none of this I would have settled for a few years back. Have always considered myself to have unlimited talent and a future that only few could think of. So here I am trying to jot down the top five mistakes of my life, in the hope that in posterity if anybody gets to read it…oh no, not to change anybody but an attempt to make the guy feel he has company
Being too serious, I distinctly remember that any adverse comment or event would put me off. be it a low score in an exam, a harsh word from my mom or even a well intended criticism from a friend. The fear of adverse impact made me a safe player, when it comes to life. May be, I shouldn’t have taken myself so seriously. It could have helped me to be a more open person, forthcoming and enterprising. In the end, your image is only what you think of yourself before the self introspecting mirror. So folks, playing safe doesn’t get you anywhere, it will only help you to stay as one among the billion.
Not going after my first love: regret is the only price for not going after your first love, be it a sport that you want to play, girl you want to spend rest of your life with or profession you wanted to pursue. I need to admit, I never had the courage or tenacity to pursue any of it. It becomes more agonizing when you know you would have got them had you persisted. The price you pay is high, you settle with what life throws at you.
Not experimenting : in other words I never left my comfort zone, been a teetotaler all my life, liked nothing but south Indian cuisine, never ventured out alone for a long purposeless trip, never spent a minute without an agenda. This should top the chart of my mistakes, as variety in my life has gone out of the window. Being a conformist will only leave you a dull and drab life.
Wind down to now, I can’t complain, landed myself a good job, a gorgeous looking wife, adorable kid and a comfortable life. I see I don’t have reason to complain but may be .. maybe these mistakes helped me to this position and if they have, I think we shouldn’t be complaining about mistakes after all they are part of your life.