30 - An age of Choices, Responsibilities and Hope

I recently celebrated a friend's 30th birthday, which I have also done so not too long ago.

When you were a kid, reaching the age of 30 seemed unimaginable. Then suddenly, you graduated from high school, finished law school, work for a few years - and damn, you are 30. You are undeniably adult.

Lucky enough, you have earned some money. You have been to some nice places. You have had a few jobs and have a taste of the society (and its bullshits). You are amazed by the range of choices you could make with the newly earned freedom.

At the same time, you feel overwhelmed with the responsibilities. You have bills and mortgages to pay. Your parents are aging and you have a family to take care of.

Still, I am so glad that I could bear such responsibility, to take care of myself and my family properly. This gives me meaning to move forward and get out of bed everyday.

Yet, this is to be distinguished from the bullshit checklist imposed by the societies on you. Have you got a property yet? How much are you earning? Shouldn’t you be married yet? These do not matter as long as you have a clear purpose and know what you are doing.

When life takes you on a path you dislike, moving "forward" isn't the right direction. Move sideways, move backwards, anywhere but going forward to somewhere you hate. Go to somewhere you want, instead of blindly getting on a train taking you to a destination you despise.

Rather fortunately, I am happy to say that I am in a much better position than I was in my 20s. I am healthier, happier and have many more choices. I wish I could say the same when I reach my 40 birthday. If I have any advice for my 20-year-old self, which serves as a good reminder to myself at the present: -

Embrace risk. Enjoy every moment with your loved ones. Appreciate the fact nothing in life is permanent.  Grow and learn.

I try to imagine what my life would look like when I am 40, but seriously, I can’t. (I certainly could not imagine my life now when I was 20.)

Let’s see. :)