They say life is a race..if ur not going ahead,ur receding. We all believe wholeheartedly in focus and education. So, we put on virtual blinkers,like horses, to block out distractions from the view of our minds eye. We climb ladders all the time- social and intellectual, the money ladder...

So the ambitious businessman, the bookworm student,the charming air hostess, they all work their guts out for more n more moolah and for greater status. Then comes the time when things go wrong, relationships turn sour for the want of adequate attention. the warning bells ring loud and clear, and yet, there are but a few who are able to recognise that its time to stop running and live life to the fullest while it lasts. then comes old age and your own mortality suddenly becomes an issue. Somehow, all that luxury cannot fill up that feeling of emptiness that pervades the being when one has rushed and raced through life. The world has had its Marilyn Monroes and Elvis Prestleys who had all the money and fame and yet felt there was nothing in their lives to live for.

How much of this journey are we really enjoying? Let us consider a normal, ordinary day. it begins in a rush and ends likewise. Get the breakfast ready, get that project ready for the boss, forget about lunch, Meet Mr.X, talk to Miss.Y about this and that, attend that conference, return home, dine alone because everybody else is either too busy or already fast asleep..That's it. How much of the day have you really liked????

Personally, Life, i believe, is more of a treasure hunt than a race. What u find in the process matters more than what u win in the end. We have different needs that must be satisfied in order to achieve our goals, to be held in high esteem in society and be the envy of all. On the other hand there is also the need to be loved, to be genuinely needed. These needs arent less importantWe meet people who have all the wealth and riches they have worked for but no proper family. Then there is that happy and stable household who mean the world to each other but are as poor as church mice.But in the latter case although their position is by no means enviable atleast they manage to keep their family together and live a happier life.

All this can only mean one thing.Though it cannot be denied that the urge to strive for a better and easier life is very basic human instinct, there is more to be gained in life then a mere bank balance.

The solution is simple "Be good to yourself". What better way is there to keep yourself happy than by making others happy?? and i am not talking about slogging an extra hour over your desk.There are other ways of giving of yourself to society, Like maintaining a cheerful countenance for instance. All the world loes a smiling face. When you make eye contact with someone, which incidentally is a good thing to be doing often ..be sure to smile. Believe me, you arent only brightening up someone elses day ,but, you yourself will feel a lot lighter. Take time to smell flowers. Never think yourself too busy to appreciate the beauty of you surrounding.

The more you give of yourself, the more you will receive. Gift that little kid down the lane with a sweet or a toffee. Write to a friend and tell her she is missed. These things dont cost much, but the feelings they bring to our hearts are priceless.

And of course, IF YOU CANNOT DO GOOD< DO NO HARM EITHER. Bite your think when you think of a sarcastic comment during an unpleasant situation. When your neighbour tells you " My cat died", the appropriate response is not i dont have a cat". Avoid nagging and grumbling..it makes everyone miserable, including you.

One expects, such thoughts and actions to come naturally to any person who is human enough. Alas!! that is exactly what we lack. Somehwere we left all the simple stuff behind. Simple , yet indispensable. Just this once, we will have to go back instead of front. live the monet to the fulles A collection of several moments well lived and voila!!!! you have life well lived.

So chill, take it easy and dont sweat the samll stuff!!!