Am I doing well in life?
Does this question not bother you? Don’t you ever wonder? I do from time to time.
I really do.
Though more often than not, I’m happy being me, happy and satisfied really, but there are times I’m perturbed greatly by this question. Am I being the best of what I can be?
One of my earliest memories is of being told never to compare. I remember being told to focus on improving myself instead of measuring success on a scale relative to others. This had so much of an affect on me that all through my life, I have more or less never looked at others to evaluate myself.
Having said that, there have certainly been times when I failed to adhere to this philosophy. There have been times when someone else’s success touched a chord in a whole different way. A bad, self-pity kind of way.
Who decides if we are doing well in life?
Am I not good enough? Why can’t I get things easily like others do? Why, oh why not me?
I have heard myself ask these questions sometimes.
The interesting thing here is, I started losing the plot of being happy and content with myself as I grew older. But on the whole, I think I have managed well.
Success is living your life your way and being happy doing so.
Whether my crooked front teeth or my perineal aversion to doing all things young people generally do, I have been comfortable not following the herd. Peer pressure was never a bother to me. Saying what I believe, not pretending to be holier than thou or just being myself, have been some of the things I have always liked about the reflection I saw in the mirror. Being happy in what I have, what I do and not be in a rush to prove something, has been my own way of living life so far.
Positive affirmations are always good for the soul.
But of late, I have been plagued by a doubt. Am I wasting away my life by being ordinary?
More often than not the answer is reassuring. Being ordinary or mediocrity is good. And who measures these and against what scales?
I’m happy and blessed in so many ways and that’s what matters most. Isn’t it? That is my success.
Do I wish for more? Do I have plans?
Yes, I do.
I have some plans and some dreams. Some clear, some vague. Some fixed, some changing. I do, like everyone out there. Hard work, grit, consistency and some luck would decide if they ever come true. Meanwhile, though, I need to remember all the good things in my life and not delve on what might have been. Or, not get affected by what someone else may or may not be doing.
I need to live my life, my way. That’s what I’m here for, isn’t it?
So, yes, I’m doing well in life and I need to keep telling myself that, at the same time also encourage myself to do better. The scale always having various versions of me.
I’m loved, I’m happy and I’m doing well in life.
Your turn now. Are you doing well in life?
My personal question, as I age, has become "Has my life mattered? Is the world a better place because I existed?" To that, I am not sure what the answer is. Alana ramblinwitham.blogspot.com
To understand whether I am doing well in my life, I wanted to first understand 'What am I doing in life'. And, well, still not able to find that answer. But then, good article to think about something..
I agree with the previous commentator, my questions are more on the lines of – what am I doing with my life, what am I supposed to do in my life. I suppose life is meant to help us find some sort of answers to these questions.
These questions often haunt me during studies, and the answer seems to vary everytime! Let's hope that we do find a good purpose in life, and thus do well in life 🙂
I think when you stop looking at the world for answers to your questions, you have reached the point of no return. You have arrived and are going to go about your life your way.It is a beautiful feeling, liberating too 🙂
My question is different and my answer is 'yes' 🙂 The question is "Am I enjoying my life?" 🙂
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I loved reading your post Naba cos in many ways, I am the same. I have almost never compared myself with other. Yes, I have my moments of doubt but I don't take the pressure that there are people who are better than me. For there will be those too, when I am better than many. If you are happy, that's the most important thing.
Reading Alana's comment I do feel that I would like my life to matter to people 🙂
It is always best to compete with our own past self rather than comparing ourselves with others. In many ways it is our own satisfaction that counts. This is a question we all ask constantly, because there never seems to be an end to our goals or plans ahead. There is always more.
A great post to reflect on.
Nabanita, your post seems to echo my sentiments right from the first word of it. More often than not, I find myself lost amidst the questions of what's and whys of life which (unfortunately) leave me in a fix. I have the option to shrug these off but I just can't. The struggle of self-exploration is on..but the answer still eludes. There are so many things which the heart wants but (strangely enough) the circumstances doesn't seem conducive. The distance between life aspired and life lived is getting wider and wider…the bridge in between, remains just in thoughts.
Sorry for a bit longer comment…couldn't resist. Stay blessed pal and keep your good work on 🙂
I think your self doubts are the same as most conscious intelligent beings would be facing most of the time.Be yourself,focus entirely on what you do,good results will surely follow. Liked your style.
As long as I am happy and hurting anyone else, I am doing well in my life. I never dive deep into the questions of existentialism … hehe I am quite superficial that way 🙂 Just got some dreams and am working towards it 🙂
*not hurting I meant 😛
I think most of us ask ourselves this question. I know, I do. Asking myself this from time to time is what spurs me on to change and grow and do better.
Questions most of us ask but fail to answer, or even if we find the answers to them, we fail to comprehend them.
The post compels reflection and introspection. I think we cannot escape comparison with others and their lives no matter how much content we tend to be in our own lives. The check should be placed at the moment where we start feeling negative. If we can go back to our belief in our uniquesness and are able to stay there long, we can accept we are doing well. There can be another question -Am I leading a simple life?
I actually don't ask if l am doing well in life. I just keep reassessing if l am happy or not. As l agree, l realize that my goals have become simpler. No such urge to climb the highest in the corporate ladder. My definition of success has changed. In many ways, l've evolved. And it helps to practice gratitude. It keeps us feeling fulfilled and happy for everything we have.
I actually don't ask if l am doing well in life. I just keep reassessing if l am happy or not. As l agree, l realize that my goals have become simpler. No such urge to climb the highest in the corporate ladder. My definition of success has changed. In many ways, l've evolved. And it helps to practice gratitude. It keeps us feeling fulfilled and happy for everything we have.
So who decides if one is doing well in life?. The answer to this lies in oneself. I decide if i am doing well. Though this thought may seem tad selfish, but it gives a sort of contentment to go on in life
So who decides if one is doing well in life?. The answer to this lies in oneself. I decide if i am doing well. Though this thought may seem tad selfish, but it gives a sort of contentment to go on in life
We mature when we ponder so…
Everyone has similar questions, but the answers vary 🙂
I came across you profile in twitter and from there to this blog. Very nice read.