Life is all about Perception!

It was a fine morning when Ajay woke up. He realized that he had woke up at 6 AM, something that doesn't happen normally.

He needs someone to wake him up every day. Not even the snoozed alarm can help.

But today, Ajay has woke up at 6 AM sharp, without anyone waking him up. The alarm is set at 6:30 AM.

Ajay himself is surprised. He looks outside the window and sees a calm morning. Just the right amount of sunlight - not too dark, not too bright.

He decides to go out for a run. He does the prep and gets into the not-so-busy road, jogging.

He can see many people doing the jogging thing along with him. He sees a small boy with his dad. He sees a 30+ woman jogging determined.

He also sees a 60+ man walking with a straight back. Ajay realizes how much the world is into fitness, while he struggles to wake up on time every morning.

So he decides to wake up every day at 6 AM hereafter and go for a jog.

He does so for a month and ends up making friends with a few people who jog along with him.

"Good Morning" shouted Ajay to the dad-son combo as he approached them running. "Good Morning" both of them replied.

"So, I see you everyday running. You both don't seem to miss even a day. I'm amazed", Ajay started the conversation.

"Ah uncle, my dad will never let me skip a day" replied the boy with a mix of emotions in his tone. "Hahaha, I'm not that strict Ajay. He too is interested in jogging. That's why it works" said the dad, catching his breath.

"Well jogging is team work for this dad-son combo", Ajay thought to himself. "So, do you wake your son up everyday?" asked Ajay curiously to the dad.

"I did for a few days. And now he is on his own. We both wake up independently, get ready, and come out almost at the same time, together" replied the dad in a proud tone.

"That's great", replied Ajay. "So what makes you both stick to jogging?" asked even more curious Ajay.

"Well, to me - I want to be fit at any age. I don't want to be a burden, bedridden, or a sick person in the family who depends on the others for my regular needs. And I don't want to bother others with my sickness or misfit health. You know, health is wealth and I want to be wealthy" replied the dad.

"Wow", replied Ajay. "That's so true Sir", he said and looked at the boy.

"Uncle, I love playing tennis! And jogging early in the morning makes me active and gives me a lot of energy" replied the boy.

"Wow, you guys are really healthy and fitness focused" replied Ajay as he was thinking to initiate the same conversation with the other people too!

The next day he said a hi to the 30+ lady and asked her name, after introducing himself. "Hello, I'm Sanjana" she replied gracefully.

"So Mam, do you want to stay fit at your age? Is that why you jog everyday?" asked Ajay as he was not very curious.

"Well you can say so. But that's not the main reason as to why I jog", she said. "Oh really?" replied Ajay.

"Yes. You know, I'm a cancer survivor" she said - and Ajay didn't expect that a bit. "Oh I'm so sorry Mam" Ajay replied hastily.

"No, no, I am well past the phase of sympathies, and self-pity. I'm alright" she replied back swiftly.

"Only after I was hit by the disease and fell bedridden for a while, I realized the importance of self care. It was only then I realized how important it is to be aware of things around me. I had been so busy thinking about the others, and I was so drowned in my busyness", she added.

"After having going through the treatment, and being in so much depression, I find jogging to be the time I give for myself. I feel so refreshed and jogging helps me forget my scars" she said with a smiling face.

Ajay was so moved. And was left speechless!

"You know Ajay, jogging or any form of exercise is not just to stay fit, or to lose weight. Everyone has their own story" she added.

"You see that old man with a dog?" asked Sanjana. "Yes Mam", Ajay replied with curious look. "He never fails to join us at this time for a walk. Do you think he walks to stay fit?", she asked Ajay and he gave her a clueless look.

"That man's relationship with his family is not so great. When you get old, you get to face mixed things. He gets often accused for not helping them out enough."

"It's ridiculous how much we expect elders to do. But he doesn't let others' comments stop him. He gets his fresh air, changes his perspective on life, makes friends and walks that dog as he walks everyday."

"And that's how he helps his family out. He keeps his cool, doesn't get depressed. He walks that dog. And gets the groceries too in another trip" she winked with a big smile.

That conversation left Ajay thinking. To Ajay, waking up and jogging was just to stay fit. It was just to kick start a productive day.

But everyone has their own story. It is all about perception. We can't be too quick to judge, decide or conclude. We don't know the full story, until we reach out and get to know.

Life is all about perception.