After a long hiatus from writing, I am back to it. The past 2 months have seen the world around me go crazy in more than one way. I work in the line of finance, most of my friends are in a similar line of work and with the markets the way they are, doom abounds almost all conversation. But this is not specific to of finance professional because the world is an interconnected place. And this is a difficult time for everyone – especially for my generation i.e. people who entered the world of high-paying employment about 3-5 years ago. Because this is the blessed generation – or so we thought!
We began our careers with a silver spoon – institute, degree and caliber were compensated handsomely and perhaps more than was deserved. The market had more demand for our skilled manpower and hence sky-rocketing packages, mushrooming small businesses and a thriving consuming class. My colleagues and friends (and perhaps me as well) planned their lives assuming they would be able to live their dreams – and when the market kept growing and delivering – the dreams got bigger and the goals more ambitious. So assuming the salary would come in at the same level, assets were bought (often on loan), and deals were struck, personal decisions and life-plans were made. Then, one day, the euphoria was rudely punctured. We all saw the signs, most people knew trouble was brewing- but did anyone really anticipate this kind of a downturn – god knows!
Suddenly, the steady income was a problem. Suddenly those dreams looked further away or had to be put on hold with little hope of revival to that level. Our parents will say they have weathered these cycles, that was goes around comes around etc. But I somehow feel they lived in a slightly different world. The sheer quantum of money involved has inflated expectations to unimaginable level. So while a small house was enough to keep our parents happy, our generation dreams of the condo. While a fiat was an aspiration once, today, these material assets have taken a whole new proportion.
What is disturbing, however, is that the faith is diminishing. In a lot of urban circles, marriages are breaking, loneliness, poor health etc is relatively rampant and life is just not what it seems like it was for a generation before us. Somewhere, work-life and professional success has become a barometer for life in general. So now what happens in an environment where that barometer may not be available for so many? What happens to relationships, to life plans, to those dreams people had together or individually. Can they survive this downturn? Can they still be seen – maybe further ahead that’s all. Or will this mean going back to the drawing board – in life and work? Will it see relationships re-defined almost as much as pay-packages and work ethic? Will a generation that somewhere has got used to commanding and demanding, have to finally start really working, understanding and earning?
They say this recession will shake out the system, will consolidate and re-define towards more leaner, cautious and durable systems. Perhaps the recession will also take us back to a more grounded personal existence as well. Yes, this change is at a price, but I believe things happen when they are most needed. Maybe without this shakeout, no one would have even known they were in a mess. This could be a chance at re-evaluation and a honing of survival skills – only in a difference sort of jungle.
Hum of the day:
At times, love makes the world go around. At others, its money and somewhere it is also fear. But what makes the world survive at all is sheer faith. Faith that whatever it is that is making the world go around; the world will continue to go around. What’s lost will be found- as will the sheer will to look for it.
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