My 26th birthday..

It is my 26th birthday today. No, I wouldn't react today in the manner I had reacted here two years back.

Instead, I will try and reflect on something more important. Although I am tired and don't feel like writing too much right now, the birthday must not be wasted and it must be marked with some introspection and reflection. After all, it is a milestone.Yet another year of life has ended and not without giving me some food for thought. 26 years are enough,perhaps more than enough,to learn a little about oneself and about one's place in the larger scheme of things. As for the former, I can say a thing and a half but the latter is still an unknown. Yes, it is such a pity that I don't really know what it is that I want from life. I realise that it doesn't suit a grown-up like me to talk in such terms. This crisis of purpose is best suited to someone in his early 20s.By the age of 26, one is supposed to have at least a fair idea of what it is that one has to do, if not already doing it. Thus, nothing to show for 26 years on this count. Nonetheless, it is not all that dismal and empty when it comes to getting to know oneself better. Here too, however, I have learnt more about what does not work for me than what actually does. Hitherto, I have always been waiting for the 'ideal' moment when everything will fall into its place. It looks obviously the wrong approach. Naturally, it never worked for me. Hence, a truism; Don't wait for things to happen.Make them happen.

I have learnt another lesson which is also no revelation and very obvious. It is at times very important to be able to say NO. Hence another truism; When you can't say yes, say NO.
While looking back, it has to be also said that I have not been able to do justice to my capabilities. True, I have won many admirers along the way and received many flattering accolades. Yet, it would not be off the mark to suggest that on many occasions I have let myself down. I need to repose more confidence and trust in myself, at least as much as others have in me.. Let's hope I learn from these lessons. 

P.S. Happy birthday to me :-)