A dear friend has embarked on an exciting venture – launching a new YouTube channel tailor-made for kids. Just yesterday, he extended a gracious invitation for my daughter and me to partake in one of his upcoming videos. The content framework he’s crafting holds a certain allure. It’s a thrilling concept that has me eager to contribute to this remarkable endeavor. Thus, I found myself on the sets, ready to embrace a role in the informative and entertaining series. Despite having spent most of my professional life orchestrating the craft behind the camera, I must confess, the prospect of being on the other side, in front of the lens, carried a sense of excitement.

The shoot proceeded seamlessly. Upon concluding the video session, the director – a creative mastermind alongside my friend – handed me a packet of ‘PHANTOM Sweet Cigarettes’, a prop that had played a role in the scenes we captured yesterday. As we neared the end of the production activities, my friend caught me off guard with a thought-provoking query. He inquired about the advice I would impart to my 10-year-old daughter. Aware that the camera was rolling, I couldn’t help but feel a tinge of self-awareness regarding the counsel I would have to share. To be candid, I was caught unprepared by this weighty question. Its impromptu nature, coupled with the fact that it was being asked in front of a camera whose output would linger on internet indefinitely, made me tad bit confused. Nevrtheless, I marshaled my thoughts and distilled out a key point, but the rapid pace of the moment left me feeling somewhat hurried, resulting in a feeling of incompleteness.

Later, when we returned home, I settled into my favourite chair and indulged in one of those Phantom sweet cigarette. Admittedly, I was still pondering on that unexpected question. While perched there, a veil of contemplation enveloped me as I delved into insights I could have shared to my 10-year older. You see, the world unfurling before her is a far cry from the one I navigated at her age. The future I had once envisioned when I was out of school at 18 has undergone a metamorphosis beyond recognition, a transformation beyond my imagination. In my daughter’s eyes, the path that lies ahead is distant, akin to a galaxy away. The future is barely a blip on her radar, and whatever I share with her now might very well be regarded as ancient history when she’s carving her way through life’s journey at 18 or 21 or whenever in later years.

However, certain pieces of advice have endured the test of time and are likely to persist. Almost all of these are readily accessible through a quick online search, in blogs, reels, and videos, or can be received, whether solicited or unsolicited, from parents and siblings also. My aspiration was to convey some lesser known insights to my daughter – insights that I’ve gathered by observing those in my immediate circle. While she may not be primed for these revelations at the moment, I decided to write it down in the hope that someday she’ll stumble upon this piece. Perhaps, some of these insights will endure the test of time and strike a chord within her. Or probably the relentless march of time will render them obsolete. Nevertheless, without further ado, here we delve.

#1 Time is our only Unique Asset

Amid our fleeting presence on this planet, our only unique asset is the time we possess. It is a perishable, unrecoverable and depleting asset. Everything we achieve, acquire, and give away… anchors on management and utilisation of our time. Our creations, accumulations, and benevolent acts hinge upon it. In times of ailment, detachment, or distress, time slips from our grip. Thus, our imperative for managing our unique asset ‘time’ becomes twofold:
– to nurture health for our well-being, and
– to comprehend and use our time prudently

#2 Know Thy Privileges

Privilege is a subtle thing, but it packs a punch. It’s the head start we get in this journey called life. Did we hail from a vibrant environment, fostering skill, nurturing growth, and teeming with opportunities? Or did we tread a path in an environment that felt mundane, disconnected from the pulse? Did familial support lay a foundation for us, or did we embark on this journey solo? Was having a roof over our head a given, unburdened by rents or EMIs? Perhaps we were born into wealth, free from the pursuits of the immediate necessity that financial security ensures. It’s imperative to recognise and embrace these privileges. Only then can we harness our privileges to optimise use of our time.

#3 Power Up, Make It Happen

Cast your gaze around and let inspiration seep in from every angle. Absorb positive energy like a sponge, soaking in the goodness that always close by. Then, let that surge of inspiration flow to become tangible actions. Let things and figures who motivate you become your guiding lights, or perhaps even let your own creations spring forth as beacons of inspiration. Life is lived in the vigorous plunge into its vast ocean, and not in the realms of solo contemplation or on-the-fence musings. It’s the roll-up-your-sleeves-and-get-involved spirit that truly counts.

#4 Foster Enriched Ecosystems

Here’s the kicker – strive to be a powerhouse of positive energy. The real deal lies in paying it forward, by sharing that energy, spreading it like confetti. True happiness and success aren’t just about you. They’re about creating ripples that touch others. It’s about building a world where everyone’s dreams have a fair shot at coming true, perhaps through you, and with you. Remember the danger of chasing only personal enrichment. Strive to cultivate privileges that extend to everyone in your sphere, while embracing serenely those who may not, or will not, journey beyond their self-centric pursuits.

#5 Fair Comparisons – Apples to Apples

It’s not uncommon to come across individuals who appear to be thriving more than you believe you are. Tempting as it is, you may fall into the trap of comparing your journey to theirs. Let not their journey trip yours. When uncertainty lingers, turn inward and inquire: How do these individuals allocate their time? What have been their privileges? Are they juggling multiple roles? Do they bear the mantle of responsibilities towards their parents, spouse, and children? Do they actively engage in activities, or do they delegate it to care-givers? By pondering these aspects, you equip yourself with insights that can aid in steering your course. It’s a reminder that success isn’t one-size-fits-all.

#6 Wave Riders and Wave Creators

Many among us have found themselves in the right place, at the right moment, armed with the right skills – effectively riding the crest of the current wave. Show up prepared to ride the wave where it surges. Become good ‘Wave Riders’. Often, the success many of us have encountered resulted from serendipitous timing meeting preparedness, which is often called ‘luck’. But what about those who are in a spot and miss the waves of opportunities? In such instances, it’s worth reminding yourself that a select few are blessed to create new waves. If you happen to be a ‘Wave Creator’, forge one that’s good to ride for you, and also beckons others to surf along.