Do not take life too seriously. You will never get out of it alive.
– Elbert Hubbard
That quote is the truth of life however, most of us take life too seriously. We are busy making money and running in the rat race. Before we realize what has kept us busy, it is too late to enjoy life. We miss the most important part of life. LIVING. We start counting days when we could have made the days count.
We are all guilty of doing that. Some of us learn along and keep a tab on our behavior. Some can’t. When I think of how naive I was 20 years ago, I feel good that time taught me so much.
How about I tell you who I was 20 years ago?
20 years ago, I
- was a silly and cranky teenager.
- thought life would be easy when I grow up.
- was scared of the life ahead of me.
- did not know I would have a life I love and enjoy living.
- was worried about what will people think of me and my abilities.
- smiled less and trusted few.
- took people at face value.
- hesitated to interact with people.
- had a lens that showed everyone other than me on a higher pedestal.
- did not believe in my strengths.
- believed that not clearing an entrance examination would be the end of my life.
- never published what I wrote in my personal diaries.
- did not know that happiness and opportunity comes in many forms and many times.
- did not know I would meet and marry someone I love.
I know you get the drift. With time, I have learnt a few things and I am still work in progress. Remember the 35 lessons I shared earlier? It is very important that we learn from what life throws at us. No one is perfect and there is a wealth of knowledge around. Things that can make us a better person. So why not make life meaningful and live well?
I received this tag from Shalini at Kohl Eyed Me and it’s my pleasure to pass this on to Shilpa at A Rose Is A Rose Is A Rose. There are 28 of us on this Blog Hop posting our stories and thoughts over 3 days – 1, 2,3 November. Do follow the #WordsMatter Blog Hop on twitter and prepare to be surprised!
Are you a blogger and visiting the first time? Join Corinne, Shalini and yours truly on #WordsMatter. We post updates on Twitter. We will be announcing the next edition of the blog hop in the last week of November. Stay tuned and look for our tweets!
Please read the posts of the three hosts (us!) and the posts of the bloggers you link up. It would be great if you could read all the posts and share as many as you can on social media.
Have a wonderful celebration of words because Words Matter!
You can find the links to all the participant’s posts here:
November 1, day 1
November 2, day 2
November 3, day 3
happiness and food 
Ah our teenage years. We don’t realise what adulthood will be like, do we? That said, I was anxious 20 years ago, I’m still anxious now. But the difference is back then I probably thought everything was permanent whereas now, I’m of the belief that nothing is permanent – good or bad
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I understand. So much uncertainity and confusion in teenage years. Even I worried that not clearing an entrance exam is end of my life.
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Such a pretty teen Parul! How true about life and not going with flow, unwilling to take risks but then many times we have few sane souls guiding us. Life takes toll on us as we grow. I believed in goodness among humans and was innocent, quite scared about everything.
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We almost were similar during our teens. No wonder our posts are also similar this time. I was also a girl who lacked confidence and was scared of everything. I always felt others were way better than me and I was the worst. I wonder if that was unique to me and you or was it something to do with our generation.
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You have come a long way from the person you were 20 years ago and you have come out very fine.
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Growing up is hard ! But you’ve survived and thrived
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The teenage years! Indeed they were wonderful and each one of us was so naive. We have come a long way. Your post took me back to my teenage years. #BlogHop
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You look so cute in that photo. I used to use those kind of hairbands too. This photo reminded me of my childhood. Life was so good before I became a teenager! 🙂
20 years ago, I had just given birth to my second child. A daughter who has had very similar teenage fears too. She is now a medical student.
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That is a cute picture. Teenage years are so crazy. I could relate a lot to the things that you have mentioned.
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All of us can relate to this post! We all have come a long way, won many battles and overcame a lot of challenges and all these have shaped us into what we are today! You look so cute in that picture!!
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Twenty years ago is a serious blast from the past Parul and yes we were all so different then; enthusiastic and raring to go. Life settles in and we become wary about hoping and as you said forget to live. I think a time check into the past is essential to see how we were and where we have come today!
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20 years ago we all were different, can totally relate to this one.
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I think I saw you in Azamgarh : 20 years back ! And now you are right on #Target in all your posts
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Like the ad goes, ‘You’ve come a long way baby!’ Love how that shy girl has morphed into confident you.
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Aw I love that picture. I think my life as a teenager would have been quite like yours. I think I am more confident as a person now but I was much less anxious back then.
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‘Happiness and opportunity comes in many forms and many times’. I realised this with time. So happy to know the fun part of your character. Between you look obedient in the picture above.
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Your post reminded me so much of myself as a teenager. So much growing up happens in twenty years!
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It’s hard to believe that we were shy little teenagers once upon a time, right? Look at you now – a confident, talented, and independent woman! 20 years ago, I was a teenager too and I never thought about these days. But now I think about the years to come and how different they would look from tihis time. It scares me, though. Maybe because now I love my life and back then it was a different story. I love that teenage girl in the photo. 🙂
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In the moment, don’t we all believe we’re “making life meaningful” as we understand it? Only in hindsight can we see what MIGHT have been better choices, but too bad, so sad – no point in regret, because we cannot turn back the clock. And so we are destined to continue to create a meaningful-as-we-understand-it-NOW kind of life.What’s sad, really, is putting off joy for an uncertain future, or spending the present and future in regret over the past.
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How life and experiences transform us to be better and strong is amazing. More power to you 🙂
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awww look at you. So happy and bubbly! I think we would have made great friends. That part about exam is so true. I too thought it would be the end of life if I failed board exam.
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Teenage is such a confusing time, we seem to know everything and yet hesitate to take any proper dicision, we seem to be in the top of the whole world yet feel alone.. really going back those lanes does bring that ‘poor child’ smile on
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I can so relate to your journey! I think many would be able to relate to this – like they say ‘nothing is permanent except change’.
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You look extra-sweet, Parul ❤ I'm glad I could know a bit more about you.
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This so reminded me of how I was 20 years ago and how much I thank god for all that changed me in the past 20 years! 🙂 The only thing that remains the same today is that I am a still a dreamer and can wander off to my Fantasy Land at the drop of a hat! 😛
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I totally get the drift, coz i was in a similar boat! loved reading your post
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Wow photo of miniature Parul! 🙂
Although teenage is looked up as years of dreaming and carefree, teenagers do go through a tough phase due to all the confusions and half-learnt knowledge, undecisiveness etc. It is surely tough to understand teenagers and they keep constantly changing their likes and dislikes.. phew! I am dealing of 2 of mine and I must say I have developed lots of patience. They need strong yet silent support from parents & near ones. The only way to establish trust and open communications with teenagers is to have patience and deal with them as if they are grownup babies who are cranky always.
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Your journey reminds me so much about my own journey, Parul and yet, how unique and beautiful this metamorphosis has been for you! You have indeed come a long way— from the shy teenager into this amazingly confident woman, who is bright, talented, creative and positive and so grounded! How wonderful that our paths crossed, Parul. It’s been such a pleasure knowing you!
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