4 lines to rule them all

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Heres a visual representation of what your life looks like if you live above the statistical benchmark to the age of 80. Each square here represents one week at an average of 53 weeks per year To some this might seem morbid, but I find it fascinating, humbling. You see a box I see milestones; birth of a child. The passing of a loved one. Graduation. The first paycheck. Marriage. Happiness and sadness and everything in between all rolled into 4 lines connected together. I like to fill in each week as it passes, it serves the following purpose - acts as a reminder on how far I have to go, so I contemplate and reflect on mistakes to learn from them - helps in keeping my self aligned to my values and stick to my smaller seemingly mundane habits that will only benefit me in the long run (like staying active/ keeping relationships) - keeps me grounded on how much I do not know - a constant reminder on not to take small things too seriously as it will all eventually come to an end - lastl...
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Navigating Failure

One of the biggest challenges in life for any growing adult is the constant requirement (social and cultural) of becoming  a success. But in this world of false hyper inflated self-assurance, its no surprise that a lot of us are here become addicted to stopping in the middle and letting go if things don't go our way.  

It doesn't matter if what you were doing was for you, your family or others you care about, as long as what you had planned is happening, its all fine, but as soon reality kicks in and starts throwing pebbles your way, instead of using your acquired tools to dodge them, you begin to falter. One hits, you change direction, another and you slow down. The third makes you question your judgement and by the seventh or eight, your on the floor just letting the blows land. 

Maybe then, its not the desire to succeed any longer, but a yearning to fail a little less that makes you move on. If you're lucky, it becomes a question of where you see yourself in the next few years, and that has everything to do with what you are planning to do with the time you are given. 

But amidst all the uncertainty there is but one constant: we aren't guaranteed a tomorrow, and therefore, today is all we have. 


Welcome to the West of Lahore 

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