32 years & 5 realizations

This edition of my newsletter “Vimanyu Voice” is really special as I have already crossed 1000 subscribers (I know this number is far less to rejoice!). This makes me super excited when I reflect upon my blogging journey which was?initiated in 2016 after my good friend Punam Rabha pushed me to share my perspective with the world. To date, I am maintaining a blog account on WordPress for personal topics and a LinkedIn newsletter for professional topics focusing on renewable energy, books, learnings and writings.

Another reason for feeling special is that I turned 32 (in real and 31 as per my?birth certificate!) today. ?

“With 32 years of sailing through, I feel energetic seeing the opportunity to do more in my life – writing a book, travelling a?few places, supporting a business and working on deepening my special (and yet very few) relationships.”

This post intends to share my 5 realizations from life.

Realization#1 – Money is about freedom.

I still remember earlier days when I used to ponder about the utility of money. The query was almost the?same – how much is enough? Everyone knows that money is never going to be enough for our life. We all wish more money to spend on leisure, books, family needs and travel (just remember, wealth is not equal to money).

After reading an awesome book titled “The Psychology of Money” by Mr. Morgan Housel, I realized that we need money to gain freedom. I believe that we can achieve a set level of freedom even in our corporate life (except in?some cases where client pressure exists).

For example - In consultation with my team, I have already started taking a?few initiatives with flexible timelines. I even handle and receive WhatsApp messages on my terms. On the?personal front, I write in the evening before going to bed whenever I wish with no external disturbance.

So, the realization is that a slightly (wordplay!) lesser-paying job with more freedom is better than a high-paying job with lesser freedom.

Realization#2 – At the end of a rough day, a?few pages of a book can go far.

Like any other person, I also had my share of ups and downs. Challenges in the form of work-related anxiety, relationship survival issues and career progression concerns were all there. But the thing that stood by me for the last 7-8 years amid all the uncertainties is BOOKS.

It never left my side to provide comfort and inner peace. I instantly feel a gust of calmness every night when I flip a?few pages before going to sleep. Last night itself, my?birthday celebration with family was equally shared with 60 pages of the?book titled “Wherever You Go, There You Are” by Jon Kabat-Zinn (kudos to my colleague Baldeep). The book is about meditation and every word is relaxing (even though I am not sure if would be able to implement it or not).

So, the realization is basically that books are the cheapest available source that can be trusted for a?lifetime. Reading a book also helps with deep breathing which relaxes the whole body and induces a good sleep.

I would suggest keeping a book in the vicinity of your bed.

Realization#3 – Writing fosters calmness.

I have heard a lot about journaling but never could do it. Instead, I have internalized my easy way of journaling – blogging or writing whenever I wish to. This newsletter and current post are evidence of the same.

Writing is our thoughts getting fine-tuned with the purpose of future use. It has the power to give direction to our wandering minds. The reason behind this might be that writing urges full attention towards one word at a time and when our mind is focused, half the problem is already solved.

Till a?few years back, I used to regularly write postcards for my friends. This mode of communication was way better than simply making a call to them. Writing shows effort and builds better connections.

People often ask me why I write on LinkedIn. My answer is we are responsible for creating our image (brand value or expertise) in the eyes of people. No one else is going to create it for us. So, better to start writing now and showcase our true selves. A person is never an author first and then starts writing, it is always vice versa.

My point is that we do not become an expert first and then start sharing insights with the world. It is the reverse – when we start sharing our insights, people start perceiving us as experts.

“I write only because there is a voice within me that will not be stilled. (Sylvia Plath)”

So, the third realization is to write and write till the end. I am also hoping to launch my book soon.

Realization#4 – People remember your presence, not your designation.

Last night, I called one of my managers from my earlier organization (from the initial days). I was hesitant to call as it was 10 pm (and no one would like interference in their family time). But I did and it was a very happy 10 minutes conversation. We talked about our project and well-being, the fun we had and a?few power sector happenings.

There are other ex-colleagues also who I consider more like good friends only. Every time we talk, there is no talk about designation, promotions and appraisals. It is focused on the late-night fun and the type of support everyone had in the project. People remember the person who was of helping nature irrespective of their salary and designation.

I have realized that I cannot help everyone. And even career growth is not fully in my control. The least I can do is to LISTEN. I try to listen with full intent of listening only (I am still a novice, but I try). ?

“People will forget what you said. People will forget what you did. But people will never forget how you made them feel.” (Maya Angelou)

Realization#5 – Less is more. ?

I would tag this realization as the best one.

Let’s relate this with friendship. It is the hard reality that our friends may evolve and thus may not remain a part of our lives in the time to come. And that’s fine. Everyone has a specific role in our life, they are supposed to leave once their role ends.

I still see my childhood albums and call my old teachers and friends. And every call gets stretched to one hour. But it is a gem to cherish those bygone memories. I feel blessed to get in touch with so many friends and the lessons they taught me.

That’s all. Till then, wish me luck to grow gracefully.

Thank you so much for all the love to my newsletter “Vimanyu Voice”.

***

(Disclaimer – As can be inferred from the reading, the views expressed are purely personal.)

A big thanks to Annesha Dutta for always inspiring to keep writing. Do read her newsletter “The Anniecast”.