Jaded

Talking to one of my team mates about work and life always seems so refreshing. Although it may not seem like it, he's actually one of the best persons I'm able to discuss about things because he (most of the times) doesn't judge the way you talk or express yourself when you do. In short, he's a good listener.

Due to a, what I call, a "series of unfortunate" events, I've been a little bit more passive about things. I've noticed that I'm more jaded about life simply because the people around me are. There are only a few people that I know who constantly shows their support for things I believe in, and I feel that instead of running against the tide, I'm just going with the flow.

During one of our brief lunch conversations, I shared my thoughts on 'jadedness' and he mentioned that it's not lack of passion or motivation but rather, I have matured - equating it to the fact that I have come to accept that my ideals are bound to never happen.

"You were too idealistic"

"You can work for the ideal but the things you envision is not going to happen."

"The faster you accept it, the more mature and better it is"

Is it wrong for me to disagree?

I doubt if my jadedness is all about becoming mature. I strongly disagree with the idea that maturity, in its entirety, is because you have come to accept that you are a corporate slave for the next 40 years or so.

What I do believe in is that we all choose and we cannot blame life if we never end up what we want to do. I believe in work to live vs. live to work. I've seen my mother and father waste away their lives and marriage because they were too busy with work rather than each other or with us, their children.

I believe in believing. Steve Jobs, in his commencement speech, said it best: "Stay Young. Stay Foolish."

The thing is, I've read the lives of gurus, travelers and successful CEOs. I've read all about people who, despite hardships, are able to succeed. The one thing I noticed is that there is no formula. The only common denominator is that everyone, despite the advice of their passive and good listening friends, stayed faithful to the vision they had for themselves.

I hear Steve Jobs' voice: "Stay Young. Stay Foolish."

Foolish in love? Yes, I've done that.

Foolish with work? Yes, more times than I can count.

Foolish for pursuing my dreams? Always.

I hear it again: "Stay Young. Stay Foolish."

So here's to 2015 and to following my dreams!