Live the moment....Do anything, with involvement

Live the moment. "Tomorrow is important. Today is much more important". In the fear of facing tomorrow, we lose the pleasures of today. Some people keep ruminating about Monday, on Sunday ("I have to do 'this' work tomorrow; it is very important. I have another important assignment tomorrow"). In the process they will not enjoy the holiday on Sunday!

Whether it is studying, playing, or any other activity, do it with involvement. Never do a thing which does not interest you. If you do that activity with full involvement (heart & soul), it will not look like work. It will give you pleasure and you would enjoy doing that assignment. Enjoy doing what you do.

A recent facebook forwarded message impressed me immensely. A son living abroad with his wife and kid expresses his views of his childhood and the disconnect he had with his native place and his parents. He is unable to recall any incidents or happy events of his childhood. His parents put in all their efforts to make him an engineer, right from the word 'go'. They never gave him any freedom to celebrate the festivals or spend time with relatives and friends. All he now remembers is their asking him to 'study, study.....'. He now lives in America where he meets his friends, celebrates all festivals etc., which makes him have a 'connect' with his present abode in USA. He is reluctant to spend time in his native place, with his aged parents.

Some people might argue that unless his parents had made him an engineer and given him this future, he would not be now enjoying his life in another country. True...., but at what cost! Was that worth it? Even while pursuing to give him a proper adult life, (in his childhood days), they could have easily made him what he is today, allowing him to enjoy the pleasures of childhood. That is generally not done and that is the mistake many parents do. Your sons and daughters will respect you only if you give them a proper life, not simply make them 'earning machines'. An 'earning machine' without the pleasures of life and sweet memories is a total waste. And it is meaningless to lead such a life. Some people may disagree with me in this.

Give your sons/daughters a good life, which they can remember when they get old, with lot of fond memories to cherish. Money alone is not enough to lead a valuable life; Life should be 'lively'. Now that most of us have only one child or 2 children, spend the week-ends with the entire family and have family vacations planned annually. And celebrate all festivals with gusto to keep up our tradition. This will create indelible impressions in our wards' minds which they will remember throughout their lives. When they look back on their past, they should feel happy, having lot of good memorable episodes, not a 'bland' life! I saw a recent report which states that some students are made to toil for 3 to 4 years, preparing to take up competitive exams to enter prestigious institutions. When they become Doctors and Engineers (studying in those colleges), they regret wasting their young age!

There is no need to keep on amassing money for your children's future, neglecting the present life. Give them good education and bring them up as good citizens. Teach them morals. Make them understand that life has ups and downs and it is okay. They should be seasoned to take care of any misfortune when they face life, in your absence. They will take care of their lives.

Yesterday will not return; Tomorrow is uncertain; Today is certain; So live it fully today.