Point of No Return

There comes a time in a person’s life when one needs to take a long hard look at one’s self and decide what to do next, when one needs a good strong shake by the one’s own shoulders in order to take a thoughtful look at the past, present and future? My father often counseled me that this time was the time I was studying for my Advanced Level exam. He said that it was the time to completely focus on my studies so that it will help to direct me into something worthwhile in the near future and that thereafter if I played my cards right I would have no problem “getting somewhere in life” I could not have agreed more. So I vowed to do my best. I truly believe and hope that what I got was enough for my future although I cannot dispose of the feeling that I might not have “achieved” or gained of it as high and wide as my dear father had expected of me. But what’s done is now done and over with. I got the unbiased outcome of my effort and suffice to say, I am content with it. Irrespective of what everyone else thinks.

Sometimes society is a complete example of that story where the father, the son and the donkey were walking on the road happily minding their own business when their motives were judged by the on lookers and they had changed their configuration each time someone said something and then ended up carrying the donkey. It just goes to show that there is no pleasing ANYONE and whatever the result is, there will ALWAYS be someone to say otherwise.

That being said, this is MY life and this is MY future. The decisions and strategies should be thought by me as they will in turn be executed by me and the consequences WILL be borne by me. It is true that one’s parents hold high esteem and council in the cases of children and their future, but I do not think that they should be molded and carved in the way their seniors want them to be. Sons and daughters owe it to their parents or guardians who have readily given everything they have and more to the wellbeing of their children and their education and children will in turn continue to value their wisdom and experience in such matters.

The early 20’s and late teens are high time for young adults to be able to take decision about what they want to do in life. Parents should entrust a considerable amount of faith in their offspring to make right decisions regarding their future. Maybe they do not want to be the doctor you always wanted in the family. Or maybe they don’t like to be the engineer you’ve always wished you were. What if they don’t like working in a bank? It’s their choice. Maybe they will try out a few things before they select something they want to do. Or maybe they will switch from one thing to another, start their own business or even use entrepreneurial skills to achieve something you yourself thought was impossible. Getting ideas and guidelines from various aspects of society is necessary to help one weigh the pros and cons of a certain career. After all, relevant research is important too. Taking time to make a serious decision about life without jumping to quick conclusions will save one from a substantial amount of regret as some choices tend to be irreversible. A career is, after all a life sentence for most people. If you do not choose wisely, you might never find the happiness and peace you are looking for. Wasn’t it Confucius who said, “Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life”

So why not give us young generation a chance? We’ve got a brain in our head and hopes in our dreams. We might surprise you after all. J