After spending almost half of my life and abandoning many of my previous (so called) vision statements, I have started pondering on this question again - "What should be the longest term vision for my life?". Sometimes when I lay back and think about it, it feels ridiculous that I am having such thoughts ("vision" and all!! bullshit!! what am I trying to prove? I am not an ordinary person but a "visionary"???). Why can't I just enjoy my life with my happy family (which fortunately I have) and forget thinking about all this non-productive ideas?
But all my efforts till now have gone in vain. The more I have tried to suppress this thought, the more stronger it has become in due course of time. No doubt I go through some phases when trying to get rid of this thought becomes very difficult. This time the matter is serious and desperation levels are high. My wife has started showing concern about my absent mindedness (because my mind is always preoccupied with such thoughts). Am I going crazy?
But enough of my cribbing. Let me tell you what have I really thought about it till now. I would try to put all my thoughts in the form of questions and my analysis of it. Please note that I am not trying to conclude anything in this blog. I can not; even if I want to. I am still suffering from "What is the vision of my life?" syndrome. I am just trying to share my thoughts which might be useful for somebody who is suffering with the same dilemma.
Q - Why should I have a vision for my life?
A (stands for my Analysis) - Sometimes I feel that in taking care of all the nitty-gritties of my life, I am missing the bigger picture. I can not be here just for 'living' this life. I am here to contribute. I am here to make this life worth remembering and thinking of. I want to feel that I am an integral part of this whole drama of life and I am making a difference. And for doing all this, I should know what exactly I have to do. And for that I should have a vision which gives a direction to my life.
Q - Why having a vision is so important anyways?
A - Many a times I get this strange thought that I am about to die and I am looking back at my life; from the time of my birth till now. I get very scared when I feel that I would be seeing my life as a meaningless bread earning affair. My God! I spent whole my life processing different kind of food and transforming it into shit?? And for generating this shit, I worked so hard!! No way! These should not be my thoughts in my last moments in this incarnation. I should do something remembrance of which would bring smile on my dying face.
Goals are very important for quantifying what did I do in my life. And goals without a vision are useless.
Was I able to attain the final goal of my life? But asking this question makes sense only if I have a vision.
Q - Should I have a single vision for our lives or it can be more than one?
A - Most of us have one or both of the below mentioned reasons for living their lives as they are as of now:
1. They want to achieve something for self.
- I call it personal vision.
2. They want to do good/bad to others. 'Others' may include their family, friends, society, country, world etc etc.
- I call it a grand vision. The degree of grandness depends on who those 'others' are.
I think everybody on this earth, in someway or the other has both of the above mentioned motives behind all their actions. I agree that the weightage of these two keeps varying throughout our lives. But at a broader level, these are the two generic visions which drive everybody even without we noticing it.
So, it is good to keep both of the above mentioned visions. Also, for me it looks like a vision can be divided into small goals. Here we should not confuse goal with vision. We can have a vision which keeps us driving and it can be divided into small goals.
Q - What should be the expiry date for a vision?
A - I think visions should be timeless. But note that by timeless I do not mean impossible to achieve. We should be able to just keep working towards it. It keeps giving us new goals to achieve.
Q - How should I conclude on a vision of life?
A - Firstly, while thinking of a vision, one should not consider his/her capabilities. Farther the vision of future are, better they are. Visions are not goals which have to be "achieved" but are constant driving forces. This is one of the differentiating factors between vision and goal. Vision helps us in deciding goals.
Secondly, a vision should be based on principles (which do not change). In my opinion, vision should be derived more from the spiritual plane than worldly one.
For deciding on grand vision, I would say benefit of others should be given the prime importance. Also, if we have to expand this vision to others, it has to be made a shared vision. So, it should be sharable with like minded people.
Conclusion - For me, it is a constant process of learning through introspection. So, it is very difficult to conclude anything. I would expect that readers would provide me more clarity of thought and help me in deciding a vision or two for my life. :)
