By: Anum Shafique
Life is a tapestry woven with threads of choices, opportunities, and the silent architects who shape our destinies. As I reflect upon my journey, I am reminded of the indelible influence of my mother, a guiding force whose absence casts a shadow on my triumphs.
In the early chapters of my life, I was characterized by a potent mix of determination and naivety. Hardworking yet directionless, I traversed a path filled with uncertainty. It was during these formative years that my mother emerged as my moral compass, financial anchor, and psychological support. She was the unseen hand that steadied my course, providing the essential elements for my growth.
Today, I stand as a testament to her unwavering belief in my potential. Competent and capable, I have weathered life’s storms and scaled its peaks. However, there exists a profound void – an emptiness that lingers in the absence of her physical presence.
Life, as it unfolds, is a constant battle, a series of choices that shape our narrative. What makes this journey particularly intriguing is the concept of opportunity cost. Every decision we make comes with a price, a sacrifice of one possibility for another. Yet, the fascinating aspect lies in the fact that, for certain things, we are not the sole decision-makers.
My mother’s support, a pillar of strength that shaped my character, was not a choice I consciously made. It was a gift bestowed upon me, an irreplaceable presence that now exists only in memory. In the grand tapestry of life, some threads are beyond our control, woven by forces unseen.
Philosophically speaking, life’s choices often lead us down paths we did not foresee. The intricate dance of fate and free will creates a mosaic of experiences, each contributing to the complex tapestry of our existence. The unseen architects, like my mother, play a crucial role in shaping the patterns of our lives, their influence extending far beyond the choices we consciously make.
As I navigate the intricate web of life, I am acutely aware of the opportunity costs that come with each decision. Some costs are tangible, and measurable in material gains or losses. Others, like the absence of a loved one, carry a weight that transcends the material realm.
In the face of such profound loss, the question arises – how do we reconcile the choices we make with the costs we bear? The answer lies in embracing the unpredictability of life, and acknowledging that some decisions are not ours to control. We may not always choose our circumstances, but we can choose how we respond to them.
In conclusion, life is a symphony of choices, an ever-evolving narrative shaped by the interplay of fate and free will. The unseen architects, like my mother, leave an enduring legacy in the choices they inspire. As I continue my journey, I carry with me the lessons learned from the profound opportunity cost of her absence, a cost that underscores the unpredictable nature of life’s unfolding drama.
The writer is a freelance columnist. She can be reached at [email protected]