What if?
“‘What ‘and ‘If’ are two words as non-threatening as words can be. But put them together side-by-side, and they have the power to haunt you for the rest of your life.”
-Letters To Juliet (movie)
It is no crime to question ourselves, question our thoughts, and contemplate. It saves us from making the most terrible mistakes. We are humans, we have follies, and sometimes we go astray. We make our mistakes, and we commit sins. Then comes the consequences. Some of us face them, and some of us run. And these are the times we find ourselves locked in our rooms, silently crying into our pillows.
Haunted by our mistakes, we learn a lesson with tears streaming down our faces and aching hearts. We get a reality check and remember to be careful. We know to think before we do or repeat something. We learn to use our brains instead of our hearts with every wrong turn. In time, we all know to question. We think about the consequences and live in fear of making another mistake and fear getting judged by others.
‘What if something goes wrong?’
‘What if I am rejected?’
‘What if I make a complete fool out of myself?’
‘What if I am judged?’
‘What if things don’t go as I planned?’
‘What if?’ ‘What if?’ ‘What if?’
In this labyrinth of ‘What ifs,’ we turn into cowards. We give up on our opinions and dreams and forget that we also have potential. We become spineless idiots who didn’t take the chance because they were too scared of reality.
We doubt ourselves and lose all sense of self-worth. We question everything and contemplate all the consequences until we find a ridiculous reason so we can use it as an excuse for not doing what our hearts tell us to do. We keep hiding behind excuses. But if only we could ask ourselves the one question that could give us that little push we need.
Why not?
Again, two simple words, but they have a compelling impact when put together. It gives us a boost of courage, even if it’s only for a while, but it is enough to stop the over-thinking.
“You know, sometimes all you need is twenty seconds of insane courage. Twenty seconds of embarrassing bravery. And I promise you something great will come of it.
-We Bought A Zoo (movie)
Life isn’t easy, it has ups and downs, and we have to accept it. Who hasn’t been knocked over my life at least a couple of times? We all have our reasons for being cautious instead of acting with courage. But if we keep on letting opportunities go by because we are afraid of the future, we will only be left with regrets.
Making mistakes is a part of human life, and it’s never a loss if you don’t lose the lesson. Our mistakes are what make us who we are. It gives us our personality, teaches us right from wrong, it helps us form opinions. Think but stop over-thinking because sometimes spontaneity works. Take your chances with life so that you die with memories and not regrets.
Let go and live, and it’s what life is for.
-Srijonee Basu
Last Updated on by Himani Rawat