Sunday, February 3, 2008

What-IF

Nearly everyday we all go through thoughts that circle around 'What-IF.'

What-IF this happens or that happens, how things would have changed if I had done some things differently, how I would have been if I took another route instead of the one that I am taking. Sometimes we go to the extent of thinking and talking about 'What-IF's' in a way that we start living them instead of perceiving them as mere thoughts.

One such major 'What-IF' is about life and death. In January 2008 (not a week ago), I had a near-death experience, where I was in the ICU and the doctor's could not predict the outcome to my husband. Those 3 days were sheer hell for him while I was lying unconscious, unaware of what was happening around me. The first thought that came to my mind when I woke up was why am I in this place and not with my family. The nurse told me that they almost lost me and they could be certain that I was out of danger only after I had woken up. As you can imagine, I was shaken by this experience and the only 'What-IF' that came to my mind was, "What IF I had died? Would I have tried/ fought to come back or as we see in a lot of movies, hover over my husband and kids and feel bad for not being able to spend more time with them?" After I came home, I realized how many people (including my family, friends and even co-workers) were scared for me and were praying and hoping for my safe return and even more glad that I am back safe and sound, better than ever. Boy, Am I glad to be ALIVE and KICKING:)

This near-death experience had made me think about my priorities and 'What-IFs." No matter what you think you could have become, it is only a thought that makes you lose your perspective and hides your present from you. It has made me realize that by taking each day as a fresh new start, you can try and correct your mistakes, each new day is a chance for you to be a better person than you already are, each day is a chance for you to make people around you special and loved.

Ultimately it does not matter if you had a lot of money or a Phd or whatever it is that you don't have right now, if you don't have people who love you and hug you and tell you that 'Everything will be alright, no matter what,' you don't have anything (even if you are the most __________(whatever, fill in the blanks yourself) person.

Revaluate your priorities and be thankful to a power higher than us, to that power that has granted me a second chance to be with the people I love and the people who love me.

All the best for those who have been given a second chance and for others who are lucky enough to live their first chances. Not everybody will get a second chance so do make best use of this one life that we get and be thankful.

~Laks

The expected is just the beginning. The unexpected is what changes our lives." - Meredith Grey (Grey's Anatomy)

No comments: