Don’t make money, make a life

It was long back in the year 2004 when my grandfather took me for a walk. Let me tell you, he is not the kind of person who prefers walking – he was 69-years-old at that time, with the problem of arthritis on both of his leg but somehow he chose to avoid the pain and took me on a walk on one Sunday evening.

The world ahead of us was bright and shiny and there was a sense of coming summer in the air. We were on the right turn from our place when all of a sudden my grandfather turned towards me and said, “Viraj, I want to share something with you today.” My grandfather, who is a retired from a government office is a kind of person who choose to remain silent most of his days and but when there is a discussion on politics between him and my father, he uses voice over the silent actions. When he said that he wanted to share something to me, I had no clue what he will say to me, so I just looked at him and nodded my head.

“Viraj I have achieved many things in my life. I have built a good house in the city. All of my children are well settled and happy in their lives but I am not happy,” he said.

“Why is that dada?” I asked.

“I never lived my life fully. All my life I just worked to meet the ends. I had so much to do, and in that process I forgot to live my life.

When I was of your age, I thought of starting my own business but then my parents got me married and ever since then I just worked for the family. There were times in my life, when I wanted to quit my job but something always came up.”

Now we were walking towards the temple which my family always visited. I knew I had to stay quiet, there was more to come from him.

“Soon you will be an adult, you will do your graduation and then probably you will get a job but I want to tell you one thing never settle for those things which you don’t love. Find a thing in your life that will make you happy, one can always make money but it needs a lot of guts to make a life. Don’t do those mistakes which I did.”

We visited the temple and then we walked back home. My old grandfather stayed silent and there were thousands of voices running inside my head. It was such a simple message from him. He has seen his life, he has been to all those phases which we have to see and face. He spoke with true determination and there was experience in his every word.

Make a living, that’s what my grandfather said to me.

We are at that stage right now where our small steps decide our entire future but always remember to do that thing or to choose that vocation that you love because there will come a time in your life when you will be walking with your grandson and thinking the possibilities of work which you could have done.

Don’t be afraid. The road ahead is indeed tough but remember it’s you and your life. Wear your favorite shoes and walk. Walk till you reach at the end and has the capability to tell your grandson, I lived my life.