Defy convention in 2011!

The glimpse of tiny kids getting prepared for their first day in school today made me think. Life is very much cut out for the most of us.

We were born, allowed to kid around for a few years before being whisked away to nurseries and kindergartens and before you know it, you're clad in uniform with a badge on it, and you're off to primary school. We spend 6 (fruitful or not is besides the point) years there, only to be told that there is another 5 to 7 (fun, albeit tiring!) years in secondary school. Then, of course it's off to college, and another 4 years passes us by (if we're lucky enough to get through!). Lo and behold, without even realizing it - ok, so we are made to realize and remember, thanks to that additional candle on the birthday cake every year) - 20 to 23 years passed us by. And now, they tell us that we're adults and we're supposed to live.

Fine. So we look around, and realize that the most natural thing to do is to look for a job - and there...a new era of life has just begun. Job-hunting, interviews, getting rejected, getting accepted, and of course, spending the entire first month's salary on buying gifts for yourself (because hey, you deserve it) and your other deserving friends.
We then almost instantaneously, as if pushed by a hand from somewhere (not Adam Smith's), enter into the next era - the era of wants! (a.k.a 'The Living Years'). Where we want more, and more simply does not cut it - enter credit cards, housing and car loans, then bigger housing and car loans, then other loans to cover the first 4 loans! We want more money, more time (by earning more and working less, in no particular order).

So we persistently work (or job hop) till we are told to stop...they call this 'retiring'. This is the time where we 'relax' and enjoy the fruits of life. Of course, we're about 55 - 65 now and we have our entire retirement plan spread out - vacations, spending time with the family, gardening, yoga...and there are of course a big handful of us who'd just rather do nothing. And life goes on...till it doesn't anymore.

If you do not see a pattern here, then let me help you - we live a life that has been drawn up by generations before us, the economy and everyone else but us. The pattern of going to school and college - get a job - get married - have kids - retire - retire from it all. Why does this pattern exist? Is it wrong if we start working before going to school? Is it a crime to get married before working? Does society shun you away if you have no kids? Do you have to work for someone? Must you retire at a certain age?

Why all these questions? Well, WHY NOT?

We as humans, must remember that our life is exactly that - it is Our Life. We must do with it what we think best. If there is a system in place, need you follow it? Can you defy convention and do something out of the ordinary? Will you survive?
Let this year be one of Defying Conventions. Start asking 'Why Not?'. See if you can do things differently for a better quality of life. Let's be inspired by those who have treaded on unchartered waters when everyone else decided to take the safe path

For those of us who believe that we must go to school to excel, there's Bill Gates, founder and chairman of Microsoft - dropped out of Harvard, arguably the most recognizable if not prestigious university in the world to start his own company, something he truly believed in

For those of us who think that if you're down, you're out, there's Robert Downey Jr, actor of Iron Man - succumbed to drug abuse for years, before making a huge comeback

For those of us who feel that we must graduate, work and get paid before we can start helping others, there's
Neha Gupta, 13, Founder of Empower Orphans - who started Empower Orphans when she was 9, upon seeing the plights of the poverty-stricken

For those of us who think that delays are a sign from above to give up, there's J.K Rowling, author, the Harry Potter series - coined up the fantasy of a small boy going to wizard school during a 4-hour train delay

For those of us who believe that success lies in having successful parents and a complete family, there's Oprah Winfrey, talk show host on self-titled talk show - whose parents were a housemaid and a coal miner, who separated when she was still a kid.

So, make it a challenge this year, this beautiful 2011 that just waltzed in the door, to DEFY CONVENTION. Be different. Look out for ways to leave your mark. Travel the road less taken. And enjoy the ride!

Happy New Year!