The Gantt chart of life

For those who aren’t aware of Gantt chart, check out this Wikipedia link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gantt_Chart A Gantt chart is a type of a bar chart that illustrates a project schedule. I learnt it in engineering, used it at work, but am amused at its application in life.

Here’s what prompted the thought in the first place. Yesterday, two of closest friends shared one of their happiest moments (each); something that would indeed qualify for a phase-of-life-complete-element in their respective lives.

One of them celebrated his house warming and anyone who has ever purchased a home would know the pain one goes through in scouting for one, running around for loans first and then on doing up the place later. Not to mention the constant pressure of managing finances so you can at least afford a weekend movie, if you indeed find time for it eventually. But in the end, I am sure it’s worth it. At least that’s what my friend feels, and I would echo that.

But more importantly, it marks the end of a wandering phase that’s become the hallmark of most Indian working class immigrant population. More the time you live in rented accommodation, more your urge to own one. So you start your hunt for the perfect abode, visit loan fairs, postpone vacations to accumulate some down payment money, wait endlessly for the builder to give you possession and even more for the interior decorator to spruce your home up……At the end of it all, when you finally move in, phew, you are exhausted and glad that this “phase” of your life is complete more than the fact that this was what the dream you harbored for the past 2-3 years. Now that the “home” phase is over, here’s looking forward to the next one.

That reminds me of my second friend who announced yesterday that he is starting a family. Family? Dude, it was just a few years back when we used to crib of babies crying in theatres and cursing their parents who brought them there in the first place. I poked him about his rationale for the decision, and I must admit it was a very well thought-out one.

His joy apart, I can’t ignore that he already owns a home, so he is over with the “home” phase, and now in for a new (albeit noisy, weepy, expensive) one. The due date is still a few months away, and I am not sure whether on D-day, he will be relieved that all the months of care are over, concerned about more to come or simply revel in the celebrations. Whatever it is, it will mark the beginning of a new phase for him. Time to tick one more phase complete and plan towards a new one.

What is it that keeps us seeking one phase after another: graduation-post_graduation-career-bike-car-marriage-home-family-family’s_education-the_cycle_repeats_for_them-finally_retirement_when_most are_unsure_of_what_to_do_next? It’s almost like project management on a Gantt chart. The phases run parallel for some people, sequential for others, come with gaps for most. Some of them run pretty long, often frustrating to the extent that at the end of it, you are relieved it’s finally over. But for the lucky few, it’s like nirvana! And they fret once it’s over, because they enjoyed the phase more than its outcome,

But are these phases simply something to look forward to, something that keeps us going, something eventful in an otherwise mundane life or simply nature’s rules meant to be followed? Whatever they are, I know enough people who plan these quite well and a lot of others who take them as they come. I guess, to each his own.