Let’s take stock

“Is your life shaping up the way you planned?”asked Nalini.

“Well, my life is half over and I think I have done what I planned.”replied Ramesh.

“Do you have any regrets?”asked Nalini.

“Well, I couldn’t marry the girl I wanted to marry and that is a big regret. But I have adjusted and have dedicated my life to my work.”said Ramesh, adding, “I enjoy my work and it compensates for other things.”

“You are a successful businessman and there are many who look up to you.”pointed out Nalini.

“I know. I try to be a good role model. I don’t have children but I try to be an example to others.”replied Ramesh.

“Children rarely turn out the way you want them to so don’t regret not having kids.:”chimed in Upekka.

“I know. There was a time when I longed to have kids but now I don’t feel like that.”shared Ramesh.

“You lead a busy life and you wouldn’t have had time to spend with children. You have to sacrifice for twenty years to raise a child and that is something that most people don’t do. Hence the problems in our society.”observed Nalini.

“Yes, I try to do Social Service and I find it very rewarding. I work as a volunteer at “Sri Lanka Sumithrayo”, a branch of “Befrienders’ International”, and it is confidential work. However, when you have listened to a caller and empathized with her problem, you feel good. But it is difficult and I had to undergo much training as it is not simply ‘do-gooding’!”confided Ramesh.

“Don’t worry. I won’t tell anyone that you work as a volunteer.i can keep things confidential as I am a mature adult.”said Nalini.

Let’s take stock of our lives and try to improve the quality.