Being a Nobody...
Wednesday, November 9, 2016
I am a Nobody. There is no designation I hold; no property I own; there is no glamour or beauty I was born with; there is hardly a success story in the family; and there are no high-profiled connections I can boast of. Parents were simple, who had to struggle to make ends meet; education was ordinary, and attempts at carving a successful career, failed.
Have YOU too ever felt that you are a Nobody? If you are talented, beautiful, an accomplished achiever with lots of fame, or are prosperous in your own way… this question is obviously not meant for you. You would not probably understand the sentiments of a ‘nobody’; just a plain simple ‘nobody’ whom no one cares to know and who has nothing much to show around to others, with pride…
Many of us are average persons, born in simple unassuming families; have an average academic record; marry into modest families, and just about manage to earn a livelihood. We do not have extraordinary oratory, or entertaining or artistic or culinary or any other skill whatsoever. Nobody cares for our opinions… for what we think or believe… for what we do or we don’t do. No one asks for our views on business, religion or politics. We don’t get lot of invites for dinners or other get-togethers… No one thinks that it is important to know us. Of course, once we know that we just do not matter to the vast wide world, one learns to go about living as unobtrusively as one can. One learns to go about simply doing one’s chores; fulfilling one’s duties towards the few family members and friends who make up our world.
And then, sometimes we bump into a famous person; or read a successful person’s interview or attend a lecture by an achiever or meet someone beautiful and glamorous in an event… One wonders then, isn’t it, that how some people seem to be living perfect lives? They have stories of success or wealth to tell, spanning over generations.
Not only their parents, but also their grandparents had carved a niche for themselves. They were, therefore, sent to prestigious schools and Universities; their goals were well-laid out and they always moved about in high-profiled circles… It is not just about living in luxury, but about being known, about holding important positions and about making a difference. The rich, the famous, the beautiful, and the successful or even those with successful parents have their interviews published; are invited as chief guests; and are sought after for lectures, and inaugurations. People want to ‘connect’ with them.
Even if not born into an accomplished family, some people work real hard and become self-made somebody; they recognize their potential early on, and then they strive hard and nurture the same. They are skilled in their moves and choices. Some are fortunate to receive appropriate guidance or suitable mentors at the most opportune times. They sacrifice a lot of pleasures but move consistently towards their target or ambition in life. Of course, amongst them too, there are some who do work very hard to reach their goals and desperately try to become somebody important, but do not succeed.
Well, shedding aside all that tinge of envy and sadness, some of us who are nobodies, however live amused— while looking at the other side. We are happy with the one house we have; the few friends we have and the simple meals we are able to afford. Not being important, famous and highly-placed does not bother us; concerns pertaining to real-estate, bank-balance and diamonds do not bring creases of worries on our foreheads. We may have no visiting-cards, websites, or designations to boast of. Not many may want to connect with us, but life seems to be still simpler and fuller. Not that the accomplished somebodies do not lead fuller lives, but even the nobodies can…
Are you too a happy Nobody? Are you that someone who is not important in the eyes of the world, but someone who, when, looks in the mirror, has a pretty sight and a nod of approval to look at? Someone who has done the important things? Are you a happy Nobody wha has been treating others with dignity, offering smiles, and taking care to not hurt hearts? If you are a caring, sensitive and a helpful soul—you can choose to be happy just knowing that you have lived well. If you have not let down people in a big way, and nor have trampled others underneath your arrogance stemming from affluence and success—you can relax and sit amused. Some of us have just about 2 or 3 relationships that sustain us, and there is no flock wanting to connect with us, but we live amused… Lesser are therefore, the headaches and complications. With no too many real-estate investments and diamonds in the lockers, there are no worries either of distributing wealth or of squabbles over it. Even if the looks are ordinary, there is not much fear of losing the glamour and appeal. Nothing weighs then on the mind, like an obsession.
Finally, it is all about perception. Even a nobody can be a true somebody and a somebody can actually be just a nobody at all.
How have you chosen to live?
If you are a nobody, and still happy, and you know it, clap your hands...
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Navniit Gandhi is an academic since 25+ years; a feature writer (300+ articles), and has authored 10 books.
Her 10th and most recently authored, published and launched book is titled: NOT MUCH IS AS IT SEEMS
Her write-ups can be read at
navniitspeaks.wordpress.com
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