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I'm no football


Sometimes, I feel I'm a football. Right from the word 'Go'. I can see the goal post and nothing else. Innumerable fans are cheering me and want me to achieve something, or at least score one goal. But this is not possible within a given time frame because this is no football match. And I'm a lone player.

 Ever since I started perceiving things around me, I've been hearing this word. In its many avatars. Is the word so addictive?

 The first one came up when I was in school. My life was full of life and threw so many surprises. A mountain of advice followed me like a shadow -- from parents, teachers, elders and family friends:

 "Have a goal in life. Otherwise you will be nowhere."

 "Goals inspire you to achieve."

 "Dare to dream but work towards a goal."

 Then came the late teens and I was into a bit of reading. Just plain inquisitive. But again, the word "goal" did not let me go. I read some of the quotable quotes from famous personalities:

 "Goals are your destinations in life; objectives are the stops along the way."

 "If you want to live a happy life, tie it to a goal, not to people or things."

 "Set your goals high, and don't stop till you get there."

 "Have a definite, clear, practical ideal; a goal, an objective."

 Though confused, I did try and set goals...not just one. And that's probably why I did not achieve any. Took up a job later in life and before I could take a deep breath and say, "At least I got somewhere," my bossy boss took over.

 "Haven't you achieved your weekly goal? How do you expect me to recommend a promotion? Or even a moderate hike?"

 The word "goal" did not seem to go out of my life at all. It hovered over my head and came back time and again.

 Is it necessary that I have a "goal" in life? Is the word the most used one in everyone's dictionary? Or is it simply easy to give advice? I tried using the word to inspire my sister, who was far younger to me. And did it work? I really don't know.

Today, I feel different. I'm no football. And I don't want to be one. Having a goal in life is necessary, but not essential.

 Everyone's perception about life is different. The happiness quotient differs from person to person. If someone is happy to buy a home, someone is simply happy to have a small bowl of hot soup. Someone else is happy to give away and donate to the sick and needy. But to do any of the above, we don't require a goal in life. Achieving goals become meaningless after a point, if you are not happy ultimately.

So what have I finally learnt?

 Don't aspire for a goal. Don't be a football. Have a ball! Enjoy life, and take it as it comes!

Queen of Questions

Comments

  1. sujatha13 November 2014 at 05:35

    I totally agree that achieving goals is meaningless unless we also find happiness. For a long time, my life was mapped out, all goals in sight. And suddenly one day I realised that in striving to achieve my goals, I forgot to enjoy life. I now take time to smell the flowers and marvel at the stars..

    ReplyDelete
  2. Jisha Ashok15 November 2014 at 04:48

    Queen of Questions, I think i have thought and have a reason on my own for this too. And I loved it when you told "Goals are necessary, but not essential". Nobody ever told me I am successful and I even once heard I am a failure, but the secret they do not know is, I was always successful in my own dreams, in my own ways. I don't and will never define a goal that anyone sets, I cannot do it, its difficult and haunts you badly. Yet I try to bring a smile to someone who really deserves a smile, not for taking care of me, or helping me at times, but who really deserves a smile the way I see them.

    PS : Hope I can comment my views this freely to you, dear Queen of questions?

    ReplyDelete
  3. avseq15 November 2014 at 22:40

    heard many advices about goals but i have never set anything for me ....i enjoy wat im doing and may be thats why i dont even think of even having a GOAL
    take life as it comes .............the one line which inspired the most when i was a student (in school).....ooops Im still a student

    ReplyDelete

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