Life is unpredictable, and death is inevitable. The only thing we can be sure of in life is that there is nothing we can be sure of. So without contemplating our dreams any further, here are ten things that every one of us must experience before we meet our fateful end.
1. Fall in love
Yes, you read it right! Fall in love. But mind the word ‘love’ here. Please do not confuse it with teen romance or mere infatuation. Falling in love is one of the best feelings you can experience in your life. Love is not about finding the right or the wrong person. Instead, it is an odyssey in itself. You experience many emotions when you are in a relationship, and you mature as a person, start understanding people, and most importantly, you start valuing relationships.
2. Sleep under the stars
Experience the beauty of the night by sleeping under the umbrella of a zillion twinkling stars and the tranquil moonlight. Have you ever seen or heard people talking to the moon and thought it to be absolutely crazy? Try and give it a shot once and trust me, you will realize how foolish you had been not to try it earlier. Let out all your emotions in the silence of the night because the moon will always be there – listening to you.
3. Travel, travel and travel
Never miss out on an opportunity to travel; remember that the journey matters so much more than the destination. Travelling brings completely new experiences and transforms you as a person. It helps you become independent and teaches you to manage things on your own. The best part of it is that you will eventually discover your true self. Go for a solo trip once in your life and thank me later, as that will be undoubted the best experience of your life.
4. Plan a Night out
Plan a night out with your friends and do all kinds of crazy stuff that you’ve never done before. Nothing can compare to the sheer joy of driving in the wee hours with loud music echoing in the ears, sticking your head out of the windows to enjoy the pleasant breeze and dancing in the middle of the road with no one to see you around! This must definitely be a must-do on your bucket list.
5. Experience a sunrise
What can be more beautiful than watching the sunrise at dawn? Take out time from your busy schedule and wake up early in the morning to enjoy the sun rising high above the horizon to light the mammoth universe. As Jo Walton quoted- “There’s a sunrise and a sunset every single day, and they’re absolutely free. Don’t miss so many of them.” So go out and get yourself acquainted with this beautiful wonder of nature!
6. Read a lot
“A reader lives a thousand lives before he dies. The man who never reads lives only one.” – George R.R. Martin. Every word of this quote rings so true. To experience innumerable things in life, one must read a plethora of books. When you read a book, you learn from the people who came before you. The characters are breathed to life, and you envisage a completely new world through the characters’ eyes. So make sure that you devote a few minutes to reading every day.
7. Volunteer
Volunteering is one of the best ways of giving back to society. It acts as a bridge between you and society, and the satisfaction you get by volunteering is inexplicable. Be a mentor to a kid in an orphanage, spare out some time to teach the kids in slums, go out and meet people in nursing homes or join the organizations working towards the welfare of the society and be an asset to the community.
8. Conquer a fear
Scared of heights? Or deep waters? Or public speaking? Accept it or not, all of us develop fears as we grow. But these fears, if not conquered, limit us and desist us from evolving. This might sound cliched, but there is no denying the fact that “Dar ke age jeet hai“. So gear up, my friend and take your first step towards overcoming your fear. Just remember that the hardest step is not taking any step, but there’s no looking back once you take that step.
9. A Road Trip
Chalk out a road trip with your friends at least once in your lifetime. Stopover at numerous small places en route, capture a lot of photographs and eat out at small dhabas and joints. Leave all your gadgets at home and try to build natural human conversations with your pals and memories that you can cherish forever.
10. Carpe Diem
Last but not least, enjoy every moment of your life and make every moment count. Remember that life is not the number of breaths you take; it’s the moments that take your breath away. So never wait for tomorrow to come, seize the day, my friend! After all, who knows, “Kal ho na ho!“
