I Wish

Each one of us has a wish list. Many, like me, have a long one while some have smaller. Some of these wishes become goals and propel us in to persistent action. Some remain mere wishes and mostly unfulfilled. Some become expectations from others.

Some people have a clear idea of their wishes while some are often confused. Often the clarity is more about what we wish from others and lesser about what we wish from or for ourselves. Many times, I find people hesitating, to the extent of considering it selfish or mean, to have a wish for self.

I too have my own wish list. They are for and from self, family, relatives, friends, colleagues, society, polity, government and occasionally the world too. Many have got fulfilled, for some the progress is on track, for some I am yet to make any sincere effort while some seem impossible to be fulfilled.

Though the words wish and want are often interpreted differently but here I am using them interchangeably.

So what do I wish for and from myself?

First thought that comes to my mind is lots of money, for sure. I want to be able to fulfill all my responsibilities towards my parents, spouse and child. In fact, I would love to indulge and spoil them. I want to be taken care of. Actually, would prefer to be pampered.

I want professional success in terms of responsibilities, performance, contribution, position, recognition, reward and fame. I want to become and also be acknowledged as the Champion of Physical Asset Management.

I want to spend lot of time in the company of good friends, current and future ones. I want to have lots and lots of friends. I want to meet lot of talented people having proficiency in a variety of fields. They can be from industry, business, academics, government, politics, social work, media, films, TV, theatre, music, creative arts, fine arts, sports, adventure, literature, philosophy, religion, spirituality and what not. Each field is unique with so much to know about and learn from.

I want to pursue my hobbies and interests. I want to read a large variety of books, journals and magazines. I want to capture my experience and imagination by writing articles and books. I wish to explore my creative self by writing, directing and acting in dramas. I want to watch lots of interesting movies with amazing story lines and fabulous performances.

I want to learn to play some musical instrument amongst synthesizer, guitar, drums or octopad. I want to learn to play golf and lawn tennis. I want to learn at least 2 more languages, viz. German and Marathi. I come across people speaking these languages regularly in the course of my work and living.

I want to travel the world. See the nature’s bounty, admire human creativity, meet different people, enjoy the varied cultures and collect lot of fond memories.

I, somewhere, also want to be fully healthy free from any dietary restrictions or physical constraints.

I want to be more sensible. I should be able to differentiate more clearly between what is beneficial or harmful and act accordingly. I want to be more sensitive while dealing with people. In no case should I be a reason for discomfort, insult or hurt to people no matter how weak or poor they might be. I want to be more patient so that I can think through properly before speaking or doing anything. I want to be more careful so that I do not goof while working or handling people.

I want to be a better communicator. I want to be a great listener. I want to understand correctly people’s ideas, intentions, purpose and requirements better without the limitation of vocabulary, grammar or diction. I want to be effective while conveying to other what I want to.

I want to be more disciplined when it comes to time, health and money. It is so easy to be imprudent in these 3 areas. One of my favourite jokes since many years has been that, “whatever we like in life is either costly, wastes time, is bad for health or is married to someone else”. That should remain a joke only and not become a reality.

I want to add value to every life that I come across. I wish to be the most loved, trusted, respected and sought after person in the close & extended family, relatives and friends. I want to be more compassionate. I want to increase the zone of my benevolence to the society at large going beyond family, relatives & friends.

I wish a good a career for my daughter in the field of her choice. She should get best possible education and then a satisfying & rewarding work life. She should stay away from harm, evil influence and bad company. She should get a good life partner with whom she can lead a mutually fulfilling, enriching and blissful life. She should realize her duties and responsibilities and fulfill them. She should get loved and respected. She should lead a life of choice and abundance.

I wish good health and care for parents and wife. I want to contribute in fulfilling their wishes. I want to take care of them. I want them to lead a peaceful and happy life. In fact, I wish good health, peace and happiness for all.

When I look at the above list, I do not find any wish that can be ignored, neglected or given lower priority. Each one has a role in making my life complete and fulfilling. It is now up to me to have a balanced approach and do justice with all of them concurrently, congruently and coherently.

While I have a long wish list for and from myself, I also have a smaller list of what I wish from others.

First, I want people to have a wish list. That list should have a mix of short term requirements and long term goals. This will give them a sense of purpose and their life a direction. We can achieve something only if we know that we want to achieve it. They must understand what they need to add, enhance, correct or eliminate in themselves to fulfill these wishes. They must then relentlessly pursue those goals and keep adding more goals as the earlier ones get accomplished.

They must look at the big picture. Follow the cycle of plan, do, check and act. Live consciously and not as driven by circumstances. Live by choice and not by chance.

I want people to be much more disciplined in the areas of safety. They must remember that every time they take risks, they endanger several lives, besides their own. If they die while violating traffic and safety rules, it is least painful. If they end up crippled for life or in a vegetate state, the misery for themselves and family increases multifold. If they end up killing or maiming someone, there can’t be a bigger crime.

I want people to be honest, have integrity and honour their word. Don’t say yes if you want to say no. Don’t play blame games. Solve the problem at hand conclusively. Don’t hide your mistakes. Accept and learn from them. It’s ok to be wrong or to fail. None of us is born perfect. We all learn and evolve.

I want people to understand their roles and associated responsibilities & deliverables. Please do what you are supposed to do and not hide behind excuses and flimsy procedural lapses.

I want people to contribute first before expecting a reward. Be more polite & considerate and less selfish or self centered. Do what is right for the society, organization or family and not only what is beneficial for your short term interest.

I want people to value their own time and others’ too. Come to meetings at time, finish the work within timeline and in case of slippage, inform the other stakeholders.

I want this world to be a safer place to live in. I want to be surrounded by people whom I can trust. I want peace around me.

I do not know how many of my wishes, wants or goals will get fulfilled in my lifetime. What I know for sure is that I will consistently and persistently pursue them till the last breath.