Monica Bhide The past few weeks have been filled with many dissappointing moments. As I reflect over what life has and has not offered up of late, I am reminded of a saying I read several years ago — "Maan ka ho to aacha, maan ka naa ho to aur aacha — If you get what your heart desires, it is good. If you don’t, it is better." You know, I never truly understood that saying until now.
When I was a kid, I wrote a paper on a spring morning that earned me an F. It was an essay about a spring morning in a war-torn country and filled with vivid sketches of death and distruction. I wanted an A, I got an F — I did not get what my heart desired. Turned out to be the best thing that happened to me. I promised myself that I would continue to write the way I did, never following the easiest path or the one that promised the most and best. Instead, I swore to follow the path of passion, a path that has led me to where I am today.
So as I reflect on the dissappointments of the weeks gone by, I feel inclined to say thanks to the Universe. I did not get what my heart desired but I am now blessed with the promise of a better tomorrow.
THoughts?
I will apply this to MY life after YOU tell me about the promised better tomorrow…
It’s like saying – Money should not be the most important thing in life…guess who say that the most? The people who are dripping with it!
That depends on whether not getting what your heart desires breaks your
heart or leaves some hope for a renewed effort.
A very eloquent reminder that failure can be a positive thing as long as you make it matter in the right context. As always, I love your writing, Monica.
Interesting thought. I think not getting what your heart desires leads to immense immediate dissappointment, but some where deep inside pushes you to achieve greater heights – thats the promise for a better tomorrow.
Interesting thought. I think not getting what your heart desires leads to immense immediate dissappointment, but some where deep inside pushes you to achieve greater heights – thats the promise for a better tomorrow.
I completely agree. I cannot begin to tell you how much I have grown during the times when I didn’t get what my heart desired. At the time, I was devastated, I didn’t think there was any way I would get past the heart break and see a brighter tomorrow. Looking back, I realize how strong I became because of the disappointment. It made me into the person I am today, and I have no regrets. There’s a great song by Rascal Flatts (yep, I’m a country fan) called God Bless the Broken Road. It talks about this very thing and every time I hear it … I’m grateful for the heartbreaks.
I’ve learned as much from my failures as my victories (often more). I’ve also learned that the pieces I’m most proud of are the ones that I fought the most to achieve.
Following our passion is never easy, but it is far, far, far more rewarding than taking an easy road that is unfulfilling.
Monica, I’ve learned over time that lots of cliches related to this are correct — “everything happens for a reason,” “when a door closes a window opens” (or is it the other way around?), etc. When I have been disappointed by an outcome, person or situation, I remind myself that something better is just around the corner.
The other cliche that applies is: “Be careful of what you wish for, lest it come true.” You’d better REALLY want it, because you just might get it. And then what will you do? Is it what you really want?
Great post, Monica. Thanks for getting us thinking.
I think you need to get what you really want SOME of the time. Every time I tell myself “you don’t always get what you want,” I usually wind up thinking that somewhere, someone is getting what they want. Why not me?
Of course we grow through disappointment. But we also grow with success.