I learnt a little about myself when I was cracking my head answering the questions. Fundamentals were challenged, doubts revisited, believes shaken, minute details surfaced, causing me to break out of my traditional way of thinking. Forcing me to rate priorities. Putting a number on each of them.
After jumping onto the TED talks bandwagons, I was amazed by how some people dedicate their whole life to travelling the world, risking their lives, to do a research on issues like slavery, terrorism etc. As the world gets more connected, we believe we can do anything. Some of us choose to think we can be rich and famous, because it’s happened to so many of ‘ordinary’ folks out there.
But it’s not as simple as that. Read further. Then you’ll realize that you, lack a lot of things compared to those 28 year old millionaires. You don’t have a garage, you don’t have a vibrant environment to support you, you don’t have powerful family members who have links with politicians, you don’t have a heap of gold at home for you to mine for you to support your venture, basically you lack the whole eco system. And you try and try, but it’s just not working out. Doesn’t help that your friends are moving forward in their careers.
Usually, I do ponder a bit when I grew bored observing people on the beloved public transport. While analyzing them, what phase of life are they at, what THEIR priorities are, who are their loved ones, how do they treat their loved ones, who are they ? Cos you can tell a lot by listening to others on the phone, what they put on their hair, how they carry themselves. Though it’s not 100% accurate, I believe in the art of reading into people’s mind during the first 5 minutes of our conversation.
Back to the topic, for most of us, the current is against us. While most of the friends are reaping instant gratification, we’re building something bigger, and there’s no gain without sacrifice.
And the 6 pictures, if you have not figured, it’s a few broad categories. Mickey mouse represents the childhood, the carefree times when we just watch cartoon everyday and think of the next ice-cream. The BMW is a vehicle that says “hey im somewhat successful, so get the hell out of the way”. It’s also a not-so-quiet way of telling others that you have acquired some status in life, and they should trust you, or not. Well, for now, let’s blame the mass media for injecting the ideas into my head. The private jet says, Budget Jetstar just doesn’t cut it anymore, and I have so many meetings in so many countries, do bring your passport along so that we can have one in-flight.
Photoshop has been in my life in 2000. In the sorta interview, I was asked about this special program in my life. And I talked about her as if she’s my special one. In the beginning, I saw someone else with her, and he was enjoying her. Doing all sorts of things with her. He’s obviously very talented and can use her in ways unimaginable. For hours, I sat next to them and watched. I couldn’t stop watching. And I asked him to teach me. And from that day on, my life has been colourful. It has been filled with love, joy, and obviously, dough. I have been freelancing since, and yes, Photoshop has always been there to support me. Though sometimes she throws tantrums and crashes on me, she knows best. I know her every buttons, the shortcuts to every function, and it’s because of this girl that has made me proficient in what I’m doing. I dream with my active workspace sometimes. Though I know her in and out, I feel there’s still so much things I can do with her. Her infinite potential, capabilities blow my mind sometimes. And without her, I’ll die. That’s the relationship I have with her. Other than that, I too share her with my friends, and I have taught a lot of friends her secrets. and they too love her. :)
The beam of light – represents the spiritual side which has been missing in my life. It’s somehow disappeared. But I know it need it. We all humans need to satisfy the needs of the spirit. We’ll see.
The camera – no, not a dslr, but any. A phone camera takes crappy picture, its slow shutter has a certain way of making me piss in my pants, but those candid moments which were captured, when viewed on the computer, give a different feeling altogether. It has an impromptu feeling to it. I like that. Moments – can only be captured and frozen with a recording device. Imagine our grandparents’ times, when all they can do to tell a story to their grandchildren, is just talk. I want to be able to tell mine – with a picture. A photo tells more than you can ever do with words. Words are always limited by vocabularies and the languages have limits. But not in colours and motion. The camera is like my oxygen tank when I dive.
While we are all struggling to find the equilibrium in life, remember, have a bit of humility and humour. Don’t take life too seriously. These moments always pass, like they always do. And success or failure, treat them all the same.
Rabbit Heart (Raise It Up) by Florence & The Machine
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