Friday, July 1, 2011

21: Growing and Dealing


We often don't realize it, but up to a recent point of time in life, we have been absconding from everything bitter around us. There are bitter truths, and harsh points which one must go through, but being humans, we try to avoid the pain, and try to get around it. The foolish part of this is, that we know deep within, that we wont get away with it, and will have to deal with later; but we manage to convince ourselves of the lie nevertheless.

Procrastinating never worked. It never will. Its hard to believe how stubborn we actually are and what lengths would we go to, to avoid pain. Always trying to take the easy way out, not wanting to deal with things. We underestimate and overestimate what we are capable of. We settle. We get carried away. We blame and we also take the blame. We feel sorry for ourselves and feel helpless. And all this, when none of the above is actually true.

21 years, they don't call it a benchmark just for the heck of it. We're expected to grow up. Growing up is not synonymous to responsibility or duty. But it is synonymous to surviving. We're leaving our homes, and going out into the world; to find our lives. It's that point of time from when onward we'd be alone for the rest of our lives. Sure, there would be a job, may be even a family. But what we have learnt about ourselves in all the years, will only remain with us. We'll have our problems. We'll be glad, we'll be sad; we'd be jubilant and we'd be miserable. It is up to us what we make of it. Do we have the strength to hold what we believe, or will we give away to the surrounding? Maybe its a little corny, but its something to do with courage. Can we break it? Or will it break us?

Step 1: Understand the problem. Stop running away. Don't live in denial.

Step2. Feel whatever you do about the problem. Anger, Contempt, Fear, Disgust, Joy, Sadness, Surprise.

Step 3: Accept the problem. Face it. Think of a solution. Bargain with the situation. Flip a coin, stare at the ceiling, get stoned, exercise; whatever stimulates your mind.

Step 4: Walk towards the solution. (Pretend it's cake walk. ;) )

Step 5: Relieve yourself. Solving problems of life is not easy, and we have the right to take a break. If the pressure becomes too much and the lid blows off, you'll lose control. Every now and then, breathe. Take off the pressure. Talk to someone. Distract yourself. Pick a hobby. Isolation isn't the key, no matter how much you may want it.

Step 6: Get back to the problem.

Step 7: Get over it.

Step 8: Pretend it never happened and Rejoice! :)

As the Great Joker once said- Why so serious?