Tuesday, April 13, 2010

No More ‘Anyhow’ and ‘Whatever’



He only got to know he was running away from his problems when he realized that almost everything was messy around him. His finances were wrecked. His only means of income was in shambles. His relationships were threatened. He stood in a quite alley wondering how things have become so bad.
And in his brains, re-echoed his favourite word, “anyhow!” He had a second favourite expression, “Whatever!” Now he re-examined how these words have so much become part of him and affected his life.

Only three days earlier, on the eve of his 28th birthday, he was asked by several friends about his plans for celebrations. His reply to them was, “Anyhow, we’ll just get together sometime, somewhere.”

“About what time, Roger?” they asked.

“Whatever...am gonna give you guys a call.”

The birthday get together did take place. Moments before his friends figured out a venue after he had told one of them he was ready to be with them, he realized he needed more money for drinks. He was glad when he remembered he had been given some money to keep by his cousin. That money bailed him out on his birthday.

After the fun moments with his friends, when it dawned on him that he would have to replace the money, he consoled himself by saying “anyhow.” He was able to replace the money, but he had to borrow from someone else to do so.

As Roger rested on the alley, he realized that he never had a plan for any particular thing or situation and he did not have any principles. He just faced a few situations as they came and shelved many other important issues. He had woken earlier that day realizing that if only he took time to think about the things that concerned him and plan, putting his do’s and don’ts in view; he would have been better off.

This is a thought for food for us. Do we always put off things that lie clearly at hand for those things that matter less? Do we just do things to be approved by others instead of to fall in line with our priorities? Do we run away from our problems instead of facing them?

The word ‘whatever’ is a common expression; it could be likened to a slang. But when we allow it creep into the most important issues in our lives, one day we will look at them and they would not be what they ought to be. They would stare us back in the face- messy, empty, and unattractive- just like ‘whatever!’

Do not say ‘anyhow’ when it is meant to be somehow or it will surely end up anyhow.

Life is a game just like your pursuits. Imagine where a game is played without tactics...!

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