Many a times, we meet middle-aged people who sit us down and ask us about our lives as youths in the twenties. They try to advise us , tell us stories and if they are lovely enough, they give us touching narrations of their regrets and tell us why and how to avoid same pitfalls.
Most of them, worked regular jobs, probably built a house or two, have a few cars but not so much meaningful impact but then when you look into their eyes to check their soul, all you see are shattered dreams and a life that has resigned itself to fate. Some of them are people we love: parents, uncles, older friends and sometimes, mentors.
From my readings of great men , most especially biographies (best source of learning), I discovered a very cogent trend that I feel is the reason of middle-aged mediocrity and emptiness. I call that trend "THE MOMENT OF MADNESS". It is that moment in one's life when one throws caution to the wind and go after only what you love and have passion for without much consideration for possibilities of failure and mockery. This kind of life can not be lived without the *proper psychology of safety *. Mind you, every great man had his or her moment of madness.
Yet, many wish to go "mad, at least for a moment" but the improper psychology would not let them. The Improper Pyschology of Safety is to believe that going the well-treaded path will give you safety, that going to school will ensure you financial safety. Going to school is good but it is an express way to the financial freedom.
I think the only proper pyschology of safety is when you decide to take into full possession the tools of your safety. Getting a job is good but bad when there is no eventual plan of independence . That is like relinquishing the totality of your present, past and future (and that of your children) in to the hands of other men as whatever we make of our lives now will have a ripple effect in the lives of our offsprings for many generations to come.
Life could be unfair but at least, taking full responsibilities of one's life emotionally, financially , spiritually and in every other way gives us the opportunities to negotiate our chances with life even if they say "She is unfair". At the end, I would be satisfied I had a seat at the table that negotiated my failure or success. If I fail, I had a hand in it. If I succeed,I still had a hand in it. I will not let someone else negotiate it for me.
Conclusion
Every man needs to set up a time for himself when you take out, go mad , and live his/her dreams and see for himself/herself if fantasies come true or not, while not letting the improper pschology of safety take him or her over.
Let Go and Let Live. You Only Live Once.
I hope I touched a Soul.
