Joy Of Missing Out

Ajay Kalra revels in the joy of just being in the now and not striving to do something

Sitting here in a mountain village in Dharamshala, I wonder what must be happening back in Mumbai, the city I have lived in most of my life. People rushing to offices, trains running in quick succession, street vendors shouting to sell their wares, corporate executives grabbing a quick bite between meetings. A normal day in the city.

As I gaze at the mountains covered with a thick forest of pine trees, against the backdrop of a clear blue sky, listening to the twittering sound of birds chirping, inhaling fresh green air, I feel as though time has slowed down. Nowhere to go, nothing to do. Sitting on the veranda of my homestay, I close my eyes, stretch my legs, and soak in the morning sun.

Suddenly, the phone rings. It’s a friend. “I need to do something. I feel I am becoming complacent,” she says, with a tone of dissatisfaction. As I finish the call, I wonder,

Am I being complacent? Shouldn’t I be doing something—arranging workshops, designing retreats, getting my book published, looking for office space? Am I missing out on life? Will I be left behind? Will I run out of money?

These questions make me realise something.

Most of my life has been fuelled by fear. Fear Of Missing Out. FOMO. Missing out on opportunity, success, and pleasure. Something that would enhance me or help me achieve what I wish to do or become.