Random musings on turning 29

I turn twenty-nine today. Three people called me (I consider Whatsapp wishes a mere formality – if you can’t pick up the phone and call, we are probably not that important to each other). But more importantly, I wanted to write about a few things I have felt strongly over the last couple of years. So here goes:

1. Most friendships are temporary – The reality of life is that circumstances will change, both for you and those whom you consider your closest friends. Eventually, circumstances will triumph, and you will end up losing touch. This doesn’t take anything away from the beauty of friendships, but it is important to know they won’t last a very long time in the grand scheme of things.
2. Your dream is the only important thing – Most people will meander through life, doing things as society dictates them. Some will challenge this existence to pursue a unique and oft unconventional dream, and society will retaliate, revoking access from certain status games. While this path is likely to be lonelier, it is important to not question the wisdom of following your dream. As peers yield to circumstances, you will realize with increasing certainty that your dream is the only important thing, for most people do not even have the courage to dream.
3. Health is a necessary (but not sufficient) condition for wellbeing – Cliché, but there are three kinds of health being referred to – mental, physical and financial. A calm (and usually empty) mind, a fit body and some money in the bank (or Bitcoin!) are all necessary (in that order) for you to pursue your dream in a free manner. However, these three alone are unlikely to guarantee long term well-being.
4. Nothing beats a house full of love – The missing ingredient for wellbeing is of course, strong personal relationships. Since friends are unlikely to stay the course, having a close, fun, loving relationship with your family (parents, spouse and kids) is the last piece of the jigsaw. But, since it is not something one can individually solve for, it is also the hardest to achieve.
5. In the end, it doesn’t even matter – Finally, we as individuals have a very short life-span relative to the age of mankind. We, our actions, our dreams, our thoughts, our name and our legacy will all be forgotten within a couple of generations post our inevitable death, so you do you. Feel like taking a year off to explore Africa? Do it. Want to try drugs? Do it (just don’t get caught or addicted). Most importantly, do not walk gentle into that good night…