LANDMARK BIRTHDAY REFLECTIONS
Landmark birthday celebrations….25th, 30th, 50th, 60th…..get us into a philosophical mood where we begin to introspect what we have achieved so far and what more we can do. The more older we are, the more wisdom naturally seems to seep in.
I recall my 25th birthday where my milestones achieved were that I had an MBA degree and was married. Didn’t have a regular job, was working part-time. All I could think of then was how much more I have to achieve and what would be those things. I was clueless as to what should I be targeting. The ambition in me led to keep eyes and ears open for any such opportunity.
30th birthday also did not see any dramatic change, other than that I was now a mother of two sons. I had also made my first solo trip to Gurgaon for an academic conference. I had presented a paper and it was published as a book chapter. I was thrilled. This facilitated me in my job interview in the next year.
By the time I was 40, I felt that I had a couple of accolades to share with the world. One was the nine months FDP that I did at IIMA and the other was the British Chevening Fellowship (an 11 weeks program called Women in Leadership and Management). In my 45th year (about 14 years of service), I became a full Professor.
Every year that I aged chronologically, I would also reflect on whether I have been able to facilitate the growth of my sons. Have I done justice as a mother? Was I able to set them on the proper track? The judgemental views that I held seem to melt slowly (very slowly, in fact) after I crossed half century. I tried to be empathetic and began introspecting on life after retirement. I would try assessing my strengths and weaknesses and take stock of what keeps me happy and fulfilled.
Now that I look back, I am happy that I had clarity of purpose most of the times. There were distractions and disturbances which I managed to brush aside. I am thankful to the occasional wisdom that would arise in me and tell me not to allow myself to be mentally entangled with the unnecessary hindrances and obstacles, instead move forward. That is life coaching….which facilitates uncluttering of the mind and enabling one to move ahead and become better version of themselves.