Category: Learnings

Making A Choice

 

Train Tracks

I came to the U.S. for higher studies. Having spent all my life being around the family, surrounded with relatives and friends, and having all the comforts of life, it wasn’t easy to start a new life in a new country that was on the far side of the globe. The world wasn't as connected in those days as it is now, and the grueling winter only made things worse.

After I settled down a little, and once I completed the first two semesters, I landed my first job in the most amazing city in the world, New York City. It was an incredible feeling to work just a block away from the Twin Towers, and to be a part of the fast life. The job was in my desired field, and I was now making enough money to pay my bills, and also pay my own tuition. My career had started to take shape, and I couldn't be happier.

Choosing Light - Viral Dalal - Inspirational Book
Working in Lower Manhattan

Within the next few months it was time for a winter break at school. It had also been quite some time since I had seen my family. I had been missing them, and I had this ever-growing urge to meet them.

With this new job in hand, I had to make a decision. Either I could continue to work and choose to meet my family a few months later, or simply follow my heart by quitting the job, and be one with them. NOW!

Even the simple thought of going back home and spending a few weeks with my family gave me far greater pleasure than a secure job and a much needed paycheck. It was an easy decision.

A 4 week holiday wasn't approved, and so I left my job, and I packed my bags to go back home for 5 weeks instead. The plan was to look for another job once I returned.

I spent the next 30 days with my family, exactly as we had planned. We spent time being together, and lived the same way we did before. It was truly the most amazing time of my life.

We all learn to make choices as we grow. I chose to go and see my family first, and did not worry about a maxed out credit line or a career that had just started to take off. This was the BEST decision I made in my life.

Those 30 days happened to be the last days that I spent with my family.

More about my story : Here

The Traffic Light

 

Inspiring blog - Viral Dalal

The other day when I was travelling to work:

The weather wasn’t great, and I was running late due to heavy traffic. To me, the traffic on I-495 beltway feels like the whole world wants to circle around Washington D.C. all day.

“Fast Car” by Tracy Chapman was playing in the background. It made me think about my days in the high school, and the Grammy’s that year.

Minutes later I took an exit towards Washington D.C. and stopped at the red light. I usually don’t look around when I stop at a traffic signal, but I did this time because this shiny, black sports car was being driven in a rather unusual manner.

The gentleman inside the car looked at the red light, banged the steering wheel a few times. Then he looked at it again and shook his head and mumbled something. Then he looked at me and shook his head, again. He then honked a few times, though the lights were still red. It was evident that he was in a hurry and was upset.

After the light turned green I made a turn, and saw that car fading away in the rear view mirror. Continuing to listen to the music, I reached my work place.

Later that day while I was with one of my colleagues during lunch, I observed that his day wasn’t going well either. He spoke about the bad weather, and then about how crummy the food was at the local joint, then about the awful traffic, and a few other things that were bothering him. He sounded very unhappy.

That morning during the rush hour I was running late, too. I had challenges at work, too. I sat in the same traffic just like others, and the weather was no different for me either. And yes, I have a toddler at home who asks me to dance and run with him as soon as I enter home.

After returning home that day, it only made me think about why people were so upset. What was everyone really so upset about?

For me the little things in life gives me a lot of pleasure. I can wake up in my comfortable bed. Get something accomplished during the day. Play a little. Learn a little. Eat a little (sometimes more). Laugh a lot (more++), and do something meaningful each day.

I often think about the time when I was inside the concrete coffin, trapped for days without food, water, light, movement, or any possibility of living another day. And then, I can’t help but think about why people are so upset…with their perfect lives. Where is the problem?

In this day and age, a traffic light that doesn’t turn green fast enough can ruin your entire day.

Some of you do know about my life experience. And for what I have been through, I could have easily chosen to gripe until eternity. But, I made the choice of seeing life from a different perspective, and I Chose to be Happy.

For me, focusing on things like the traffic light or the other “little pains” of life is a big waste of time.

More about the story : Here