"Happiness is letting go of what you think your life is supposed to look like" - Unknown
And instead, appreciate what it currently looks like and has to offer...
When you're young, your dreams do not understand, or know any limits. When you're older, your dreams may remain just as limitless, however, you start prioritizing others before yourself; especially your loved ones.
The goal of having a house full of luxury, turns into just creating a home full of love.
The dream of a two-seater supercar is demoted to number 2, and a family sedan takes number 1.
The fantasy of having a bank full of millions is discarded, simmered down to just having enough. Enough to take care of your loved ones, their needs, and their health.
ᴵᵐᵃᵍᵉˢ ᵃⁿᵈ ᵒᵛᵉʳᵃˡˡ ᶜᵒⁿᵗᵉⁿᵗ ᵃʳᵉ ᵐʸ ᵒʷⁿ ᵘⁿˡᵉˢˢ ᶦᵗ'ˢ ᵐᵉⁿᵗᶦᵒⁿᵉᵈ
Coming from my younger days of disregarding my family members to trying to understand them and their views. From having a list full of adamant dreams and fantasies to prioritizing my loved ones, their needs, and some of their wants. From always wanting more, to being thankful for the gifts that I already have.
I guess, I grew up...
It's still quite astounding to me, sometimes just look at myself and see where I stand right now; especially when compared to my "older self", just 3 to 4 years ago.
Yes, I haven't changed much, I'm still the likable honest, and so-called "talented" guy who has his adamant and contrarian methods of handling things. I still look the same, except that I've lost a few strands of hair, and have gained a bit of extra weight haha. But, my way of living life, and my priorities have changed drastically; for the better, I must say.
Just about 2 to 3 years ago I was worried about what I didn't have, worrying about getting back the things that I had lost. Disregarding the fact that I had no control over these things anymore.
What's gone is gone, past is past...
What I did have, what we all have, are a few choices that can be made, and I took that one choice I was given. A wise decision to take control of my present, and pave a path that takes me towards a better future. Things out of my control were fully disregarded, and that energy and time were efficiently put into productive work.
And now, after close to 3 years, I'm reaping the benefits.
The benefits of unity, the power of family, friends, and acquaintances. I also understood and experienced the power of a good network; if done right, it can make a person, if not, then it holds the power to do the opposite as well. I started to invest in trust when it came to work and investments; instead of looking at money at first. And I worked quite hard on creating a home, a place that is a temple of contentment and cheerfulness. Because even just 3 to 4 years ago it was just a house, one full of ignorance, misunderstanding, and a piled-up mess of emotions; we only had a bigger house then, but it was not a home.
Yes, throughout this little journey, we gained some and we lost some; fortunately, we won more than we've lost. Life is a game of balance after all, and whenever you disrupt that balance, life strikes and penalizes you with its bespoke set of lessons.
I've learned from my lessons, and have learned to differentiate between the good and the bad. Now, it's just a matter of staying on track and a bit of patience.