Reflections on Life Goals: Achieving or Adapting?

In ten years, how much has changed? For 20-year-old me, the dream was clear: owning a nice house, a car, and a pilot’s license, all while managing an aviation company and having a family. Fast forward to now, at 30, and the path hasn't been as straightforward. Life has a funny way of not following scripts, and sometimes, the end result is more about adapting to reality than achieving the ideal.

Despite facing hurdles like dropping out of college and breaking up with relationships, the journey has taught vital lessons. Here's a reflective journey through the changes and challenges that shaped my adult life.

Challenges and Setbacks

At 20, the dreams were crystal clear, but at 21, a small plane flight was the closest I got to hitting that milestone. The drop-out from Redstone College and relaunching in community college show a pattern of sticking to education but with a different focus. IT certificates and a wedding officiant certification reflect a pivot towards more practical and diverse skills. Meanwhile, the relationships that didn’t last despite initial hope highlight the unpredictability of love and life.

The path was far from smooth. For a 51-year-old me in 2011, life threw multiple curveballs. Major surgeries, health issues, and hospitalizations left me facing a period of recovery. This period of recuperation led to introspection and a reevaluation of life plans. Returning to Mumbai and tackling health issues created a new set of complexities but also a deeper understanding of what truly matters. The prayer, 'Dear God, please give me the courage to change the things I can, the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, and the wisdom to know the difference,' became a guiding light.

Adapting to Reality

The journey to 30 has been one of adapting rather than achieving the perfect life as imagined. Volunteer work, such as at a local food share and a church greeter, shows a commitment to helping others and changing the community for the better. The realization that some goals are no longer of interest while others have become priorities, reflects a mature understanding of what truly matters in life.

Today, the life plan is simpler and more in line with personal values. Maintaining the peace and tranquility of floating with the flow highlights a shift towards a more mindful and content life. The journey of cutting the flab—figuratively and literally—symbolizes a concerted effort towards self-improvement and simplification of life.

Lessons Learned

The biggest lesson learned is the value of adaptability over perseverance. Sometimes, life requires us to let go and move on, rather than hang on to dreams that are no longer meaningful. The peace and contentment found in the present are as important as any milestone achieved in the past.

Life is a journey filled with twists and turns, and the key is to embrace those changes with a balanced mindset. Whether you are striving to achieve a set of life goals or adapting to new realities, the journey itself is part of what shapes us into who we are today.