I meet them every once in a while. People who, for instance, are professors at a prestigious university, doing cutting-edge research, and are also are champion cross-country cyclists and are also very keen (and darned good) wildlife photographers, and so on. It never ceases to amaze me how persons like these fit so much into their lives, and I can't help wondering how I consider keeping a full-time job and maintaining a modicum of order in my home a huge achievement. Thinking back, when, at social gatherings, people ask me "what do you do?", I assume they're asking me about my profession, and they probably are. Unfortunately, in all honesty, I don't "do" very much outside of work.
Escaping the rat race in Mumbai was a huge incentive for me to move to England. I longed to break the endless cycle of going to work early and coming home late, working for most of the weekend, and trying hard to find time for friends and family, and where the only recreational activity was eating/drinking out or shopping.
Funnily enough, I find I did lots more when I was in India. The main out-of-work activity for me was singing. It was my passion and I did a lot of it. I helped out at my local church and in the community, teaching Sunday School and doing youth work. I wrote the odd article. I made the effort to catch up with my friends, snatching conversations on the way to work, meeting up for a quick drink after, going shopping together and the like.
Now, though I have way more time to myself, because of my regular work day, and beautiful, healthy environs to spend it in, I find myself thinking "why bother?" I tried a spot of singing, but gave that up. I am a lazy blogger and an even lazier photographer. I don't exercise regularly, I don't garden as much as I could, I just couldn't be bothered.
When I meet passionate people, who live every day using all the faculties and facilities available to them, I am reminded of the abundance of capabilities I have which I refuse to use. After all, passion feeds itself and most passions are rewarding. You blog, readers comment, you blog more. You exercise, you get fitter, you begin to enjoy it. You get involved in local issues, you make friends, you become a part of the community. You get my drift.
Though I don't make New Year resolutions, I have resolved to get off my backside and do more. Wish me luck.
Escaping the rat race in Mumbai was a huge incentive for me to move to England. I longed to break the endless cycle of going to work early and coming home late, working for most of the weekend, and trying hard to find time for friends and family, and where the only recreational activity was eating/drinking out or shopping.
Funnily enough, I find I did lots more when I was in India. The main out-of-work activity for me was singing. It was my passion and I did a lot of it. I helped out at my local church and in the community, teaching Sunday School and doing youth work. I wrote the odd article. I made the effort to catch up with my friends, snatching conversations on the way to work, meeting up for a quick drink after, going shopping together and the like.
Now, though I have way more time to myself, because of my regular work day, and beautiful, healthy environs to spend it in, I find myself thinking "why bother?" I tried a spot of singing, but gave that up. I am a lazy blogger and an even lazier photographer. I don't exercise regularly, I don't garden as much as I could, I just couldn't be bothered.
When I meet passionate people, who live every day using all the faculties and facilities available to them, I am reminded of the abundance of capabilities I have which I refuse to use. After all, passion feeds itself and most passions are rewarding. You blog, readers comment, you blog more. You exercise, you get fitter, you begin to enjoy it. You get involved in local issues, you make friends, you become a part of the community. You get my drift.
Though I don't make New Year resolutions, I have resolved to get off my backside and do more. Wish me luck.
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5 comments:
I totally understand what you are talking about, since this is my life story too. Any way, good luck with your resolution. :)
@Shamly: Thank you, my lovely. I'm sure being the lead supporter of a marathon-runner-cum-multi-city-worker is a full-time job in itself!
Good for you. I think I need a passion injection too.
Wow, Faye! I always wanted to "do something" with my weekends but never get around to it. Thanks for reminding me "of the abundance of capabilities I have which I refuse to use". More power to you, girl!
PS: Word verification threw up "maida" - lol.
i had a full six months at home and i still didn't do anything useful. time is obviously not my problem.
i didn't realize you were writing again. yay!
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