A couple of years in their twenties and they were no more the same naughty fellas who would irritate and trouble the entire neighbourhood. Ian and Robert had changed, for the better. They were no more the pranksters everyone knew a few years back. They looked and behaved like a gentleman and it was actually a surprise - or you may like to call it a pleasant shock - for people to be meeting the new and improved guys.
Back to their home after two years of graduation and landing an average job, Ian and Robert were sitting with their family and relatives for the Thanksgiving dinner. They were sophisticated young men sipping the hot soup made by aunt Annie.
The guys had stepped out of their teens just a couple of years back and were looking forward to a continued fun-filled and easy life, which unfortunately didn't happen. Teenage left them forever in this adolescent world and they had no option but to adjust in the gruelling world of adults. The guys were eventually becoming gentlemen and the changed behaviour was just a result of this grooming session that life was teaching them.
Here are some things that they learnt after bidding adieu to their carefree teenage days. Their transformation is a result of their lessons learnt after turning 20.
Life doesn't always go as planned and it's ok.
Ian aspired to be in military services but was rejected and had to settle for a job in one of the MNCs. Robert was keen to work for the top advertising firm but never got an interview call. Both the guys realised that life doesn't go as planned and you cannot help but accept it.
Parents were right!
Their parents always advised them to study in order to learn and not just to clear exams. They never paid heed but realised that their parents were right after they were rejected in many interviews for not being able to explain the theorems well.
Rejection isn't the end of the world.
The initial rejections irked them but gradually they realised that it isn't the end of the world and that they will have to strive harder for what they want to achieve.
Taking care of both mental as well as physical health is important.
The junk food and late nights soon got replaced with healthy eating habits and exercises when their body gave in to the examination and placement pressure and they had to be hospitalized twice in six months. They understood the importance of a healthy lifestyle and are now fit as a fiddle.
Learn to fight your own battles.
The guys always hid behind their parents when it came to apologizing or explaining something they found themselves trapped in. But there was no dad or mom in college and office to support them or settle down ugly situations. The boys learned to fight their own battles eventually.
Honestly isn't always the best policy; diplomacy is the key to success.
Being blunt and in the face doesn't put you in a good light in the diplomatic adult world. Ian and Robert soon understood that they would have to take the path of diplomacy if they wanted to survive.
Money doesn't come easily; spend wisely.
Fortunate enough to have most of their wishes fulfilled by their parents, Ian and Robert were living in a world of their own where money seemed to have been growing out of a spiralling plant. When they started earning for themselves, reality set in and their bank accounts went blank even before the current month could give way to the next. They learned to spend wisely and understood the importance of money.
Taking decisions is tough.
What earlier seemed like a cake walk, now put them on a slippery road full of potholes whenever they found themselves in a situation where they had to take a decision. One careless or wrong step and you go down slipping in a pothole...
Being independent can be grueling.
Ian and Robert, like every other teenager craved for independence and wanted to grow up soon. However, when they actually got to stand on their own, life seemed so unfair and arduous that all they want now is to go back to their carefree childhood.
Appreciation is no longer applicable, whatever you do.
Those rounds of applause and cheers they earned while performing a simple dance on stage in school were replaced by cold reactions or unsatisfactory responses seeking better performance at work. All the hard work sent down the drain in a jiffy! Whatever happened to those people who cheered 'em up?!
BFFs are not forever.
Friends were their life and they believed they were going to stay with each other forever. Now it's been around a year and nobody has made any effort to keep in touch or even check on the other person. However, they have new friends at work now and are settling down in the new found friendship.
Don't trust people blindly.
Robert was once quite frustrated with his boss and vented it out to another colleague who he assumed to be a friend. Unfortunately, his colleague went and shared Robert's upset words with his boss who is now denying him any bonus or salary hike. Poor Robert learned a lesson the hard way.
You uncover more of your hidden strengths.
Ian found himself to be getting more patient with each passing day while Robert discovered that he has the knack to get things done using his extremely polished communication skills. It was a pleasant surprise for both of them who had never thought they will ever be able to go past a day without fighting or arguing with someone.
Reality sinks in and it's not a very pleasant feeling.
Many reality checks kick them day after day and they eventually understand what life is all about. Though life is not beautiful unless you make it a heaven with your own hands, it does make you better, smarter, and stronger.
You thank God for everything you have.
The never-ending complaints to god about what's missing from their life got replaced by gratitude and belief in THE ONE. They have more affection towards the under-privileged now and have grown to be more benign creatures.
Two cents from Ian and Robert - Life
Happy adulting!
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