We live in three Boxes. First is the Box of Learning, which starts from birth and goes on till 20 plus. Second is the Box of Work which commences at 20 plus and goes on up to 58 or 60—the age of retirement. Third is the Box of Leisure. When we are in the Box of Work what is significant is Status, Prestige, Power—all these we aspire for and it is what we get from Life. The more we get ---the happier we are. The day we retire we move into Box 3—the one of Leisure. If we have to enjoy this we have to change our psychological position and appreciate creativity, autonomy and integrity. When you were a small child of two or three did status, prestige or money mean anything? What you wanted was autonomy, creativity. A child is always creative. It enjoys creativity. One example. When visitors come you ask your child, “Pushpa -Sing Twinkle Twinkle Little Star”. She will not sing. You shout at her. You tell your visitors proudly she is three only and knows Twelve Nursery songs. The moment the guests are gone and your servant comes for cleaning, your daughter will sing to her all the twelve songs. The child has its own values! By the time we enter the Box of Work values change. We are not taught to respect our autonomy but fall in line—conformity is the rule. If the son plays the violin his Mother will come and tell him, Playing the Violin now ?. Study now. Maths is very scoring. If you get centum admission to IIT is easy. Life is competitive, dear son.” When we enter the Box of Leisure values change .Your psychological position has to be changed. New values of creativity, integrity a autonomy emerge. Hobbies are an excellent way of getting Leisure Value. Everybody must identify his hobby that he can enjoy. No bother about Power, Prestige and Status. An individual can live in one box only or interchange or combine the boxes. You can have learning, work and leisure together. One can take up a hobby that is financially productive. As time passes one learns. The real problem of retirement is that people refuse to face the problem. The mantra is “Let us cross the bridge when we come to it.” This is not correct. Since we live in three Boxes we must prepare ourselves for crossing from one to the other. Structuring our time is the prime requirement. In the beginning you are contributing to Value. Think of Transfer Value. After retirement you can think of Leisure Value. Develop good hobbies which incorporates your creativity,autonomy and integrity. I have taken to Letter writing. (Rajaji , Kalam and H R F Keating.) You will lead a happy life. Retirement is not adding “Years to your Life but adding Life to your Years”. Retirement is not a calamity but an opportunity. I shall advert to some basic qualities one must cultivate. There are two ways to look at every situation in life. Is the Cup half empty or is the cup half full. One man was not worried about his becoming bald. He declared “I have less hair to comb!”. Another man in identical situation moaned, “I have more face to wash !”. Always remember that you are loved, even when it does not seem like it. Believe in yourself and your values. Don’t sell out when things go wrong. Don’t let anything get you down. Always bounce back. Set goals for your future and never settle for anything less. Realise that there are others in this world with bigger problems than you. Appreciate the good things of Life. Sunrise, Sunset, Flowers, Birds.Be thankful for the good times you have with your loved ones. Spend more time with your family and friends. Appreciate the simple things of Life and don’t get caught up in the material things of life. Be an Optimist and see the Cup as being Half Full. Before long your attitude will rub of on others. You can make the world a better place to live by simply making yourself a happier person. You will permit me to conclude with an allegorical story.
Posted on: Sat, 15 Mar 2014 10:25:00 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015