Tale of Life and Regret

Ever thought you had your entire life mapped out, only to realise you missed the most important parts?

Meet Jayesh, a man with a clear vision of how he wanted to live. His goal was simple: retire at 60, not 65. To achieve this, he decided to work as much as possible, believing he could enjoy life later.

The College Days

At university, John’s friends often invited him to eat out, dance, laugh, and enjoy life. But always responded, “No thanks. I’ll have plenty of time to enjoy myself once I retire.”

For John, sticking to his goal of early retirement was more important than making friends or going on trips. He confined himself to studying in his room, the library, and the exam hall.

The Working Years

After graduation, Jayesh landed a job in the accounts department of a local company. It wasn’t exciting, and the pay was modest, but he saw a clear career path. Over the next 35 years, he worked hard, got promoted to senior management, earned a decent salary, and built his retirement fund.

Jayeshrarely took holidays, choosing to save money instead. Upon retirement, he dreamed of travelling and seeing places like Dubai, Kedarnath, Rajasthan, Mumbai, and Goa.

Family Life

Jayesh married and had a son. Despite his wife’s patience, John’s dedication to work never wavered. The extra hours at the office left little time for his family. He comforted them with the promise, “We’ll have plenty of time together once I retire.”

The Harsh Reality

John’s plan seemed to be working. As his 60th birthday approached, he started planning his retirement adventures. Years of hard work were about to pay off—or so he thought.

Tragically, Jayesh died of a heart attack at age 59, just one year shy of his retirement.

The Lesson

The famous philosopher Seneca once wrote, “Moments are torn from us. The whole future lies in uncertainty.” John’s story is a stark reminder that while working hard for future rewards is sensible, it’s not everything. There’s so much more to life.

We often focus too much on the future at the expense of the present. So, maybe it’s time to take your foot off the gas, slow down, and appreciate the moments you have now. Spend time with friends and family. For one day, the clock will stop ticking.

Your biggest regrets will be the things you didn’t do and the moments you didn’t share with the people you love.

Conclusion

Life comes at you fast. It doesn’t rhyme, reason, or care about your wants or needs—it just is. Accept the uncertainty of it all. Live immediately and be prepared.

Today, hug your loved ones, laugh with your friends, and appreciate the present. Don’t let life’s best moments slip away while you’re busy planning for tomorrow.