Have a route map. Will ya?
I was walking with my preteen daughter to the bus stop next to our house in the car. As we were waiting for the bus, we were having those small talks as a mother and daughter, which started with how she is doing. Which I feel as a parent we all need to check on our kids. What seems a simple question bears a ton of emotional outcomes. So as a soon-to-be 6th grader, we were talking about random stuff. As the mother mode kicked in, I happened to give her a piece of my mind. I felt that as 6th graders, they are at an important intersection in life; you might wonder how it can be. Let me throw some light on it.
All this time they were elementary kids getting to learn the basics over and over again. As they did, they have been forming a routine in their life from waking up in the morning, getting ready for school, going to school, following instructions, and developing other skills in sports, music or anything of their interest. By 5th grade they are tuned into the daily routines expected of an elementary school kid. They develop social skills, self-learning, reading, writing and understanding, and cognition, basically preparing themselves for the challenges ahead of them.
Now they are ready for the next chapters, or milestones, or exits I would like to call them.
You plan a trip to Florida or to any place you want to go… How does it work?
I am talking about the aspects of maps and directions when you drive to the place.
From your place to the place in the destination city, do you reach from point A to point B… No…don’t.
It begins with planning the trip, choosing the place you are going to stay, and saying you have to have an itinerary. Then when the time comes, we are talking about a road trip by car. You look at the directions in your maps, you head out of the house, take the road, drive to the first exit near your place… Then you drive some distance, then you take a couple more exits, and then you finally exit to Florida or any place, which is followed with more left and right turns before you reach your home or hotel. And of course all these do not happen with a click, but it takes around, say, 6 to 8 hours from where you start. It takes time!!
It’s the same when it comes to achieving your goal.
As middle schoolers and high schoolers, you are at this important travel plan in your life. Yes, of course you can start at any point in time, and you will still reach Florida or any place. There might be rerouting, flat tires, engine breakdowns, and pit stops all the way, but that shouldn’t hinder your journey towards your goals.
What I wish to say is commence your planning now; though it might look vague, when you look at the picture far away, it’s not clear, but it’s always there, but as you walk towards it, the picture becomes clear. So the first step is to start walking. Find what interests you, subjects you like, and skills you want to learn; find your passion; discuss the feasibility; do research; and begin the preparations slowly and steadily as you proceed. I would like to quote Glady McGarey’s words “find your juice”. Something that you are willing to do for the rest of your life. It might change down the lane, but there’s no harm in having a plan or a vision of something to look forward to. Some plans are better than no plan. Yes, I agree unplanned trips are good too. When you have the time and opportunity to have one, get into the comforts of having your plan. It’s like travelling in the mode of transport you like the most. You have decided to step in; you might as well do it the way you love.
How much more fun can it be?
Since you are at the beginning of the new phase in your life, you have an edge in starting afresh, like being handed over a clean slate now so you can start drawing a new picture.
A study says people tend to embrace new changes when given a chance of a fresh start.
As preteens you will already be in a hormonal surge; it’s tough to handle those emotions, and as present-day kids you are managing the ever-increasing social pressures and still going to school like the previous generations, entangled in the cultural upbringing and with the new-age linguistic growths, fast-paced lifestyles, and stress topping charts of health issues affecting children too. I would like to quote the old saying by Steve Jobs; it goes like this: “No one said it’s easy, but it’s worth it.” Your idea of life will change; it’s not as rosy and colourful as it was when you were a child. It can be unforgiving, but to keep the colour, you have to strive, and for that, you need to have a map just like Dora has in her backpack!
These next few years are very vital. It’s more of a shaping stone than a stepping stone. I belong to the older generation. I really appreciate you for getting through all the distractions. Sit down and think about the choices and your interests, and work with someone if you need help. Parents can guide you; rather than giving you the map, we should sit with you and help in making the directions map by yourself. Once you have a map, follow instructions and begin your journey. Remember you have to take the right exits to reach your destinations. But also remember even if you happen to take a wrong exit, drive back yourself to get back in the right direction. Focus just like you do while driving and while you play your favourite video game.
Life is waiting to offer you abundance, but ‘the seekers are the ones who receive’.
You can journal it or prepare a vision board. It’s like your Google Maps on your phone. It will help you visualise your destination and show you the ways to reach it. Assemble the resources, gather the requirements, and decide on the skills you need, like you pack for your trip. As you go, you can alter or modify, but having a map in the first place is important so you have something to work on, like a canvas for a painting. I always felt like life is indeed a journey, so just like you plan any trip, plan this journey of life with one destination at a time.
You will get more opportunities to make your travel plan, but think of this as one of those times you get this opportunity, maybe one of the firsts. While it may be overwhelming, trust me, you will not regret it. Give it a try; think about it. Life does not happen with a click like your phone, but it’s a collection of all these little times. Time will fly; seasons and years will roll by before you wake up and realise and then wish you had planned earlier. So just like how to plan and prepare for a trip and how to drive for a road trip, begin your plan today or tomorrow; maybe this is the first step in reaching your goal. The time lapse between day one and one day can be decided by you, and day one can be today…for you!
Rekha Murugapoopathy
Parent of Kanishka Karthik (Grade VI)
Mahatma Global Gateway CBSE
