Wednesday, February 7, 2007

Lifestyles

This post is something close to my heart. Had a long discussion about this with my project partner during our after dinner walk (constitutional, as he was wont to call it !) at Kamats in Nasik. We were talking about how we can spend our life.......there are so many ways to do it !!

(The lists has all "he's" but that is only for my convenience ! I believe in the equality of genders !)

1) The dedicated dude:
He's the guy who aced his playschool, topped school, reads Einstein's theories books for "light reading", was the apple of the professors eye in Science college, obtained a Bachelors, Master's, Ph. D, and various other honorary degrees, all in the same field. He spends his life behind reasoning out why the 34th atom in the 19th hexadivision of a pint of distilled oxy-picholly-drunxeg-zhelkane rotates clockwise, instead of anti-clockwise. He may, at the end of his life, figure it out.......for which he gets a prize, his name in bright lights, some money, rights, maybe a physical quantity named after him, gaalis from students after him who are made to study his research........all work and no play, makes Jack a "dedicated dude". His kind is needed for the progress of mankind.....Thomas Alva Edison, A.P.J. Kalam etc. They live their passion, and dedicate their life to the service and betterment of others.
Hallmarks:Supreme sacrifice and selflessness

Drawbacks: No quality family life, no enjoyment.


2) The entrepreneur-esque dude:
He's the boy-next-door with dreams out-of-the-world. Normal kid, does everything in moderation.....but secretly burns the midnight oil, fuelling his passion. Goes through the routine of college, getting a degree or two, but once he has something to fall back upon, he lets loose. Working 28 hours in a day of 24 hrs, he sets up his dream, finances it, runs it, sees it grow. He gets a name for himself, earns piles of money, can afford the flashiest of stuff. But he won't have the time to enjoy it. Because if you own something, and know it will grow, you WILL strive for it to grow. And then it becomes a part of you. As addictive as gambling, people ruin their lives by creating behemoths which take up all their time. And by the time you finally decide to let go, you are too old, too spent to enjoy what you've missed. And then your kids come in, squander your money, break up your estate.......and your dream.
Hallmark: Lives his passion

Drawbacks: Can't enjoy the fruits


3) The "work-hard, party-harder" dude.
The hardest worker in the office, smart dude who climbs quickly up the corporate ladder, is an asset to his organisation, help to his boss, respected by his juniors, recognised in the company he works for with some awards etc. But the moment he leaves office and reaches home, its a morph! The dude who goes out and has a wild time with his pals.....jus hanging around, having fun, or the family guy....goes home and spends quality time wid his wife and kids......sees his kids go off to bed, kisses his wife good night etc etc...He lives the good life.........doesnt have a private jet, but can afford a commercial flight, doesnt have a Ferrari, but his BMW sedan suits him just fine....you get the pic?
Hallmark: Gets the best out of life, a good work life as well as a good family/friend (social) life.

Drawback: Can't live his passion, his actual potential remains untapped.


4) The bare minimum dude.
Earns enough to sustain himself........and his family...........wont come in before 9, wont leave after 5, will do only whats assigned to him.....nothing more, sometimes less. The ambitionless guy.....
Hallmark: Total aaram

Drawback: Lazy dude........just wastes his life.


All of us have the option of living either of these 4 types of lives. I'd love to live life # 2, but will settle for life # 3. (I like comforts!!) What about you??

P.S : If you can help me add more lifestyles..........I'd gladly add them. Please put them in the same format I have used here. Thank you.