A fight against 3 toed sloth

Today I am fighting one of the worst enemies, boredom. Off late it’s very quiet at work and I am flipping out. I believe busy is good; at least it keeps us away from the devils of mind. Otherwise boredom would crawl in and spread like a virus. Then we would feel low, lethargic and slowy turn into 3 toed sloths. Worst of worst it could kill our spirits like a slow poison.

Then we merely exist. We accept a less than ordinary life as if it’s the penance for being born on this world. We resent, blame the situation and god for all the wrong things in our life. We pretend that we are bothered about it. But we have already retired from fighting a good fight!

Several months back, I have witnessed my spirit rotting because of my job which is not fulfilling. It’s like travelling in a wrong train and realising it after many stations have already passed. I found my passion in media industry and decided to shift, which is easier said than done. Ten years of IT work, good pay, comfortable lifestyle and the commitments makes such shift over close to impossible. But I couldn’t give up just like that, so I took the first step. I joined a mass communication diploma course and finished it in flying colours.

The next easy option was finding a related job. I thought my masters in computers and IT experience would count. But I forgot I am in the world full of competition. I soon learnt it takes more than a diploma to find a place in media industry. I also found that I am living in a country where permanent residents are much appreciated than foreign expats even for intern positions. Yet I couldn’t give up. I wanted to do a degree and/or specialisation in advertisement, but the fat fee tag is hard to deal with. So I decided to return to India, where I can pursue my studies for a comparatively lesser fee. I have informed my decision to manager few weeks back and would be transferred back to Chennai office in December.

I feel a mixed feeling these days and happiness is one of them. For I am stepping out of my comfort zone, I am taking a chance. I would be missing all that I have built here, but it’s ok. It’s the right thing to do, if not now it’s never. And I am ok if others can’t see the way I see it.

To be frank, I am afraid. Sometimes I think I am crazy to run behind my dreams. I got to keep my hopes high from negativities. For all I know if I do a job that I love, the world would come looking for me. This phase is scary, like a silence before the battle. But I am prepared to fight a good fight, I am happy to keep my spirit alive.

Comments

G3 said…
Me the firstae :)))
G3 said…
//Ten years of IT work,//

Neenga imbuttu seniora :)))))))))) Appadina ippo velai ellam excel sheetum PPT presentationlayum dhaanae majora irukkum :P
G3 said…
//would be transferred back to Chennai office in December.//

Suberu :)) Collect panna vendiya treatukkellam schedhule potra vendiyadhu dhaan ;))))
G3 said…
//But I am prepared to fight a good fight, I am happy to keep my spirit alive.//

Vaazhthukkal :)))) Unga kanavu meippada :D
G3 said…
Vandhadhukku rounda 5 pottutu appeatae :)))
ohh its always difficult and a little scary to step out of a comfort zone no matter how enticing a calling might sound.. but u know what Sri, you are lucky enough to have found ur calling and you are doing the right thing by approaching it in such a phased manner.. so all the very best for such an important step you are going to take and may it bring u all success..
gils said…
hmmm...try panni paaru..u've created a chance to try the road not taken..anyway u still can comeback to ur present role..so i guess it shd be easy for you...
CVR said…
My best wishes!!
You are doing things which many of us are just still dreaming about!!
May success be with you :)
FunScribbler said…
//I found my passion in media industry and decided to shift, which is easier said than done.//

i can't wait to see you reaching new heights in the industry. gr8 man. am all excited:)

//Sometimes I think I am crazy to run behind my dreams.//

yea i know how it feels. but don't worry. everything will be fine (even though it may sound cliche)
really man, it will be all fine. have confidence, am sure u will rock!!

u will be gg back to chennai in dec!? oh man, that is real soon yea. alrite alrite..tc!!! have a gr8 life/day ahead! rock on dude!
(u were talking abt some meet up rite, is it still on?)
Carpe Diem said…
//I believe busy is good; at least it keeps us away from the devils of mind. Otherwise boredom would crawl in and spread like a virus.

100% true sri.Even i prefer to keep me busy. so even after work i enroll myself in some classes :)
Carpe Diem said…
//So I decided to return to India, where I can pursue my studies for a comparatively lesser fee.


Not everyone will do it. but am glad u did it :):) .Nalla university ya parthu vainga seekiram naanum varen
Ramesh said…
Sri ; you're doing absolutely the right thing. And I salute your courage, willingness to take a risk, making the hard choice and acting rather than merely dreaming of it.
Career spans now stretch 30 or 40 years. It would be very usual in tomorrow's world to have 2 or 3 careers. The days of joining a line and retiring from it, usually in the same company are long gone.You are a forerunner - I bet you that many will follow.

Wish you every success and happiness in all that you do.
Vidya said…
Sri, This is a very bold and frankly a positive move. Many people just complain about the state of affairs in their life, both personal and professional.

I am going through a similar situation in my life and am taking steps that will help my career and personal life. So I empathize with the fear, nervousness and excitement as well.

I am very proud of your decision and wish you all the very best in your future endeavors. Look me up on LinkedIn, if you can. If you need any help, I will be more than happy to help out! All you have to do is ask, please!

Vidya
Anonymous said…
I can absolutely relate to all that you've said,I have felt this boredom, an unfulfilling job, and shift over to pursue my studies...

In that respect, I can understand your fear much better, also added to the fact that this is a crucial period of life,to settle down with a family and all. But,Sri, you are not completely shifting. You still have a stronghold in your present job, and are shifting base, slowly. That was a wise decision you took, and you will rock in your dream job(Remember PC Alchemist, how many of us have the courage to take to the dream of their life?).

Keep rocking,man! With your attitude and spirit, you'll!!

By the way, education has also become expensive to the PR's here now :(
Nhemskie said…
I find this passage from the book "The Five Secret You Must Discover Before you Die" that fits exactly to what you've been going through right now...

"What separates those who live well and die happy from most of us is that they continually asked themselves whether they were living the life they wanted to live and following their heart toward the answer.

/For all I know if I do a job that I love, the world would come looking for me./

I agree with you Sri. Goodluck and wish you the best~
Prats said…
Man, Listening to your heart thats some way ahead.... I know its not be easy but I am sure you going to be very successful because thats your inner calling....

and for your guts to take this decision, I have just one word Respect. Kudos to you bro!!!
Aarti said…
nearly 3yrs ago i took a step i thought i would never do.. was in a good HR job, in a famous BPO... but then was unhappy..for me, if i wake up and dont want to get to work,thats it!! time to say bye... i quit my job, no clues on what i was gonna exactly do, dint have other offers on hand, but did it.. today, no regrets.. Touch wood, people around me have helped and havent had to struggle for work till date.. touch wood!!

Good luck Sri.. am sure this change of gears will work for the best!!!:)
Aarti said…
the more scared u r, the more u will succeed and work harder!! so, dont fret too much..

plus with so many of us around here, no worries :)
Anonymous said…
Like one of your readers had commented on an earlier post - you began low but ended high. It will all work out well Sri. Keep faith and no regrets. :-)

On a different note, chasing dreams always have some satisfaction whether it works or not. You know it is something you wanted and you went after it. I m currently reading a book titled Winnie the Pooh on Success. Try reading it for some fresh perspective on Success and how to achieve it. :-) Good luck !
sri said…
@ G3

//Neenga imbuttu seniora :)))))))))) //

ahaa edhellam publica solla kudaadhu hehe :)

//Suberu :)) Collect panna vendiya treatukkellam schedhule potra vendiyadhu dhaan ;))))//

Sure sure, I would be glad to meet you :)

//Vaazhthukkal :)))) Unga kanavu meippada :D//

Romba danks :)
Charissism said…
As I've mentioned in my previous post, the only thing constant in this world is CHANGE. Don't be afraid to go out of your comfort zone. We all need to take risk so we can see what's on the other side. I'm starting to miss you in the office...but don't worry I'll get used to it. I know that you're on your way to Happiness. ;)
sri said…
@ AJCl

// u know what Sri, you are lucky enough to have found ur calling and you are doing the right thing by approaching it in such a phased manner..//

Oh this is very much assuring to me :)

//so all the very best for such an important step you are going to take and may it bring u all success..//

Thanks for the these thoughts and words , its so warming :)
sri said…
@ gils
//anyway u still can comeback to ur present role..so i guess it shd be easy for you//

well i am not sure about that :) but I guess it should be ok :)

@CVR
First congrats for your engagement :)

And thanks a load for your blessings brother :P
sri said…
@ Thamizhmaangani

//i can't wait to see you reaching new heights in the industry. gr8 man. am all excited:)//

:) thanks thanks :)

//(u were talking abt some meet up rite, is it still on?)//

Yes still very much on :)we should meet :) it would be fun talking with you and spending sometime :)
sri said…
@ Carpe Diem

//so even after work i enroll myself in some classes :)//

Thats good to hear,keeps you alive :)

//Not everyone will do it. but am glad u did it :):) .Nalla university ya parthu vainga seekiram naanum varen//

apdiya sollavey ellai :)
sri said…
@ Ramesh

//Sri ; you're doing absolutely the right thing. And I salute your courage, willingness to take a risk, making the hard choice and acting rather than merely dreaming of it. //
Thanks a lot brother, it boosts me up :)

//Career spans now stretch 30 or 40 years. It would be very usual in tomorrow's world to have 2 or 3 careers. The days of joining a line and retiring from it, usually in the same company are long gone.You are a forerunner - I bet you that many will follow.//

ahaa kekkavey nalla erukkey ramesh :) so touched nanba

//Wish you every success and happiness in all that you do.//
:) :)
sri said…
@ Vidya

//I am going through a similar situation in my life and am taking steps that will help my career and personal life. So I empathize with the fear, nervousness and excitement as well. //

Yes its a rollar coaster ride isnt ?

//I am very proud of your decision and wish you all the very best in your future endeavors. Look me up on LinkedIn, if you can. If you need any help, I will be more than happy to help out! All you have to do is ask, please! //

Thats so kind of you vidya, I am grateful for your thoughts and deed, Yes I shall look you up :)
sri said…
@ athivas said...

//I can absolutely relate to all that you've said,I have felt this boredom, an unfulfilling job, and shift over to pursue my studies...//

Waa you did that! That must have felt great quiting the job and taking up the studies!

//Remember PC Alchemist, how many of us have the courage to take to the dream of their life?//

So very true PC keeps me running :) and kinds words from people like you:)

//By the way, education has also become expensive to the PR's here now :(//
Tell me about it , it costs so much and with that money one can run a small business :)
sri said…
@ Nhemskie

//"What separates those who live well and die happy from most of us is that they continually asked themselves whether they were living the life they wanted to live and following their heart toward the answer.//

I am choking after reading this quote. Wow! it made my day, Thank you much Nhemskie!

//I agree with you Sri. Goodluck and wish you the best~//

Thanks for the blessings :)
sri said…
@ Prats

Thanks much brother, I am grateful for your wishes and kind words :) Very generous of you to say those things :)

@ Aaarti said...

//Good luck Sri.. am sure this change of gears will work for the best!!!:)//

Thanks a LOAD! those words are so meant to make me happy :)

//the more scared u r, the more u will succeed and work harder!! so, dont fret too much..//

yes I compeletly agree :)

//plus with so many of us around here, no worries :)//

Thats so touching, thanks for being part of my life aarti :)
sri said…
@ thethoughtfultrain

//Like one of your readers had commented on an earlier post - you began low but ended high. It will all work out well Sri. Keep faith and no regrets. :-)//

I did that again didnt I? :) you know what I believe you :)

// You know it is something you wanted and you went after it. I m currently reading a book titled Winnie the Pooh on Success. Try reading it for some fresh perspective on Success and how to achieve it. :-) Good luck !//

seems interesting, I too believe that its the climb that matters the most than the rewards :) let me see if i can find that book :) Thank you so much for your words :)

@ Charissism

//I'm starting to miss you in the office...but don't worry I'll get used to it. I know that you're on your way to Happiness. ;)//

Oh my thats a bummer :( , but I guess its ok u would be shifting from sg as well :) good times ahead for both of us :)
Aarti said…
forgot to ask this earlie- why the title??? Did u know that the three toed sloths are tree-dwellers, with a body "built to hang." ;)
sri said…
@ Aarti

forgot to ask this earlie- why the title???

Effect of reading the book " Life of Pi" :)

// Did u know that the three toed sloths are tree-dwellers, with a body "built to hang." ;)//

Very much! :) their sense of touch and sight is very low, smell is better compared to other senses :)and very slow creatures as if they are in trance
Sreya Mozumdar said…
Just stumbled upon your blog today and it resonated...wanted to leave you with a quote from Eliot -
'May you never cease from exploring and in the end,
Know things and places for the first time...'
sri said…
@ Sreya Mozumdar said...

//Just stumbled upon your blog today and it resonated...//

Thanks for stumbling :) oops dropping hehe stopping by

//wanted to leave you with a quote from Eliot - 'May you never cease from exploring and in the end,
Know things and places for the first time...//

Thats a quote to be remembered! thanks so much :)
/I am crazy to run behind my dreams./
You are not crazy Sri! U've done the right thing...It's now or never!Only crazy people will have dreams and the guts to chase the dreams and and finally can achve the dreams!...Wish you all the very best!keep up the spirit!
bittersweet said…
DOn't be afraid to chase your dreams. Whether everything works out or not, be proud that you had the courage and the will (not many of us have) to step outside your comfort zone and bring your dreams one step closer to reality. Life is too short to spend on boredom and unfulfillment. Keep fighting the good fight Sri!
Anonymous said…
Oiye,you've been tagged!!Visit home(cha,blog) atleast once a while...it helps!!
Annam said…
///G3 said...
Me the firstae :)))///////////


me the lastu:))))
Annam said…
ippo ellam 40 th comment ennodatha thaan iruku:)))))
Annam said…
overa technical bashai in 1st para........
Annam said…
//would be transferred back to Chennai office in December.//

chennaiku sunamai vara pogutha Decemberla:)_))))
Annam said…
///chasing ur dreams////
srivats ithellam ungalukku jujubinu engalukku theriyum:P
Annam said…
///But I am prepared to fight a good fight, ///////////////

kunku fight or karathey fight:P
Annam said…
///Vandhadhukku rounda 5 pottutu appeatae :)))//////

vandadhukku rounda 45 pottutu appeatae:)))))
R-ambam said…
Reminds me of some quote "Ships are safe in the harbour but does nt serve what they are built for .."

All the best ..

dil chahta hai , kaehtha hai ellaam ok thaan enna thideer gnanam ?
R-ambam said…
by the way happenened to just see the hero album in ur blog..
he hee.. gud ! i dontlike the dupatta sequence at all .. honestly ..u were doing a lot better , I believe theres a better world waiting for you :)
sri said…
@ Aruna

Thanks so much!

@ Emma

Thanks a lot :)

@ Annam
haha jujubiya jilebiya ? :P

@ R-ambam

That video is not good, but its the first try and I guess its decent for a first try :) Plus i have not done visual communication , mass communication deals with PR, journalism, media content creation etc. Ana neenga goodnnu solreengala ellai bad nnu solreengalannu therla :)
Swaram said…
But I am prepared to fight a good fight, I am happy to keep my spirit alive.

Thatz what it takes :) Gud luck and God bless :)

U cmg to Chennai :) Cool :)
sri said…
@ Swaram

Yes I am, are u in chennai ? would be happy to meet you then

Thanks for the kind words :)
Swaram said…
I stay in Hyderabad :)

I wud like to meet u too sometime .. just a weekend required ;) ;)

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