After a gruesome week of moving, the boy finally embarked on his new journey to the orient. It's a rather strange feeling, being so uncertain of our future yet more sure of us than I have ever been. The path wasn't easy and is unclear still. It's almost strange and unreasonable that we continue to stand together, after all the pain and hurt. Except it was really the pain and hurt that let us see who we are, and more than that, who we want (and don't want) to be.
So as we begin a new adventure to discover what we want to do, at least we know who we want to keep us company.
To endless journeys.
Tuesday, July 10, 2012
Monday, July 2, 2012
We can't have it all
http://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2012/07/why-women-still-can-8217-t-have-it-all/9020/1/
I must say, The Atlantic has had some wonderful articles, or more accurately, essays. This one was being shared all around on FB a few days back, and it took me a while to read the whole thing. There was a sense of relief, that I was not the only one who felt this way. There was also a sense of doubt, that I was using this article as an excuse, for my lack of ambition, and/or achievement.
There was a time I thought of myself as ambitious and overachieving. Then I grew up. I met a lot more people, and found that most have achievements far greater than mine. At first I thought, man I need to catch up somehow. I would secretly find a competition, and try to measure up to them. Then I realized no matter how much I do, there are always going to be people who've done more, seen more, accomplished more.
It was a bit discouraging, of course. But I was also relieved. The thought of always having to work to catch up to someone else is daunting, and frankly not an appealing lifestyle. So this past year, I settled into a much simpler lifestyle -- of not trying too hard. There were some setbacks. A promotion I probably would have gotten had I worked as hard as before. A year without any new certifications and letters after my name. The feeling of inferiority when comparing myself to my peers.
Good thing I was happy. Well, happy in the sense of contentment. There were ups and downs, but when I think back on the year, I can't think of any moments I would want to take back.
So now it's time for another decision. To go to school, experience something unique, exciting and exotic at a very high price tag, or to stay here, find a stable career and start a family, a life with fewer uncertainties. Each has its own appeal, and at a different time and place the decision would be easy.
And for this I am grateful. The chance to choose, between two mysterious paths, knowing that many adventures await no matter what my choice is. She's absolutely right -- we can't have it all. Yet the fact that we do have a choice is already something to be thankful for.
I must say, The Atlantic has had some wonderful articles, or more accurately, essays. This one was being shared all around on FB a few days back, and it took me a while to read the whole thing. There was a sense of relief, that I was not the only one who felt this way. There was also a sense of doubt, that I was using this article as an excuse, for my lack of ambition, and/or achievement.
There was a time I thought of myself as ambitious and overachieving. Then I grew up. I met a lot more people, and found that most have achievements far greater than mine. At first I thought, man I need to catch up somehow. I would secretly find a competition, and try to measure up to them. Then I realized no matter how much I do, there are always going to be people who've done more, seen more, accomplished more.
It was a bit discouraging, of course. But I was also relieved. The thought of always having to work to catch up to someone else is daunting, and frankly not an appealing lifestyle. So this past year, I settled into a much simpler lifestyle -- of not trying too hard. There were some setbacks. A promotion I probably would have gotten had I worked as hard as before. A year without any new certifications and letters after my name. The feeling of inferiority when comparing myself to my peers.
Good thing I was happy. Well, happy in the sense of contentment. There were ups and downs, but when I think back on the year, I can't think of any moments I would want to take back.
So now it's time for another decision. To go to school, experience something unique, exciting and exotic at a very high price tag, or to stay here, find a stable career and start a family, a life with fewer uncertainties. Each has its own appeal, and at a different time and place the decision would be easy.
And for this I am grateful. The chance to choose, between two mysterious paths, knowing that many adventures await no matter what my choice is. She's absolutely right -- we can't have it all. Yet the fact that we do have a choice is already something to be thankful for.
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