Pleasing People:

Leading a normal life is in itself a Herculean task, nevertheless if you are required to carry out additional duties, life becomes impossible.

This is an aspect we slowly comprehend throughout life. When we are young, our parents expect a lot from us. We are expected to be model citizens, and not say a word out of place or do anything which is not accepted by society. This is the same society which looks at us with a quiet disdain if we do not adhere to the norms which have been set by them. School is thus a rigorous lesson in discipline along with instruction.

We enjoy a little bit of freedom, in college. This is in fact the rebellious stage in our life. Watching movies, skipping lectures, oh that was an amazing time indeed. It is almost as if we are permitted to be in the secure cocoon, however the flip side is that we are completely unprepared for what follows. After we pass out from college, we are bewildered. Our parents, our peers as expected, have a lot of expectations from us. Do this, do that. Further studies, or else a job. Here too, we might have our own way. After that, it is an obligation to look after our parents however i am sure this is a responsibility which we accomplish willingly , without much prodding.

Till this stage, life is somewhat bearable. After marriage, what ensues is almost something we are unprepared for. Firstly, your husband expects a lot of things from you. What i cannot fathom is why expectations are simply one-sided? Why do we expect such a lot from people without investing any additional effort within the relationship ourselves? Do this, do that, follow these norms, don`t do this as people will frown on this sort of behavior. Why do we even bother to please people? Who are these people who constitute society? Just a group of nameless, faceless people. Who are they to tell us what is right and what is not?

I have always believed in doing what i think is right. Right from my college days to the days of my vocation at different BPO`s, i have followed my heart. I have probably not done the right thing at all times, but i can proudly state that have learned from my mistakes. Society will not come to your aid when you take a wrong decision, however they are more than willing to point an accusing finger at you, if you have done something which is not considered acceptable. Expectations is a cumbersome burden which threatens you like the sword of Damocles.

At the risk of sounding rebellious, i state that it is better to follow your heart. Do what you think is right and not what others tell you to. I am not saying that your parents, your spouse are ill-meaning people, however their advice is not always well-meaning. Do not act in haste, listen to people, however take your own decisions. Do not let people`s expectations force you to do something you would never ever have considered doing ordinarily. Life is short, live it the way you want to, not the way people want you to live it. Remember no matter how hard you try, you can never please people. So why try?