THE LESSER CHOSEN PATH

The thing which set me thinking on these lines was a question from an aunt, many years ago, “Beta, you want to be a doctor or an engineer?” This was just one, but probably there were countless aunts out there who asked the same question to kids in their families. Those kids probably wanted to be football players or detectives or rock stars or scientists at some point of time in life. They let friends and T.V. shows influence their minds. They saw dreams in school and swore to make them a reality. Those dreams ranged from going to Mars to making a humanoid robot to winning an Oscar.

And this was until they reached the crossroads. And then, life happened. These kids were thrown into a ‘doctor, engineer and C.A. manufacturing’ factory. Those who played along became heroes overnight. And what happened to the musician, footballer, actor and detective? Those dreams were allowed to die. Those who dared were initially looked down upon. And eventually, they were all judged on what they earned.

The same aunt, who asked me that question, made her schedule for the following Sunday. She went for a matinee show of a running blockbuster, curled up with a novel for a few hours, cheered in the stands of a cricket match and ended the day with dinner at a fine-dining restaurant. And then she said, “That made my day.” The actors of the movie, the novelist, the cricket players and the chef of that restaurant had put a smile on many more faces. They made people happy and content, gave them a break from their monotonous life. And yet, when it comes to some of our own near and dear ones taking up these professions, why do we behave as if it is a parallel world? As if sitting in front of a computer is prestige but making someone happy is a crime? Remember, the ultimate goal of life is to do something, not which is prestigious in society but something that is good for mankind.

He works nine-to-five in front of his laptop. He is a hero, considering what he earns.

But as he sees his guitar lying in the corner, he knows life took wrong turns.

He wishes he would have chosen better. To go back to the college band, he yearns.

Because if our profession differs from our passion, then one lives and the other burns.

His brother, though, chose to be an actor.  He struggled a lot for quite a while.

But, though paid in crores today, what he actually earns, is seeing his fans walk away with a smile.