Lead a purposeful life

Recently, I visited a man in Northampton who despite being relatively old still possessed an inherent desire to be active and to engage in activities most of us would associate with youthful professionals. Quite unusual I know, but it was pleasantly surprising to see one of our elders playing football, badminton, trekking and so on! When I asked him why he continued to put his body through the paces he replied “I want to keep fit and healthy!”

This small incident can teach us several important points that we should aim to implement in our lives. After all, life is a continuous learning curve and quite frankly we can never stop learning, can we?

Every one of us young and old, strong and weak must always strive for something. We must possess a desire to excel in life, a want to do and achieve. Until that desire is present in abundance, we cannot say we have lead a fulfilling life. If the river flows from east to west and it is necessary to go east, we must go against the current. Our life should not be like that of the stray cattle in the cities of India, moving here and there, we should aim to have a purpose in everything we do.

The road ahead will be riddled with potholes, we will face obstacle after obstacle but it is our inherent ability to deal with these obstacles that ultimately defines who we are as individuals. The biggest challenge in this mans life is the people around him, the circumstances in which he operates. People will tell us “no you cannot” but whenever we are faced with such remarks our response should be one of complete optimism. Rather than being creatures of the circumstances around us, let us be the creator of those circumstances instead. Rivers, wherever they may have their origin and in whatever direction they may flow, with whatever obstacles in the way, have to reach the ocean and so we have to achieve our goal whatever it may be.

Our lives should be like an arrow hitting the target directly and not going off the mark. Our man in Northampton had his eyes set firmly on the target regardless of everything around him. This is living with a purpose, with a goal and an unwavering desire. Life is also like the game of kabaddi. We can show skill and play a fruitful game only as long as our breath lasts. Otherwise, one who moves about here and there, shouts, dances and returns empty handed. Futile is his play. One must have the full satisfaction of having accomplished one’s goal when one breathes one’s last.

It’s your life, but are you really living it?