How will you measure your life?

I read this headline in an article on the harvard business review website the other day. Like most hbr articles, the headline was good, but the article itself was crap. The essential premise of the article was to look at life like running a company. How can you compare your assets, your liabilities, your balance sheet, are these equal to your life?

The kate and William wedding yesterday was nice, and I believe it adds a few very solid points to consider for someone who thinks about living life like a company.  What I liked about this wedding?

·         It was a family affair and not a state affair. The Middleton family sat right in front. The family members including bride’s brother and sister played critical roles, like in any normal wedding.

·         Their emotions were genuine. I remember Kate’s dad, pressing her hand as he held her, standing next to William and harry, at the altar. It was what any father would do I guess. But it was a very genuine emotion.

·         The people of Britain embraced them as their own. In fact, 2 billion people watched, I am sure enthralled by the big emotional drama unfolding right in front of their eyes. It is what the fairy tales are made of right?; But to see the 1 million people stand, cheer every step the young couple took, it was so genuine. I have been to Britain, and was frankly not impressed by what I saw. I could feel the country decay. The whole multi cultural thing has damaged the genuine brit culture which I strongly believe needs to be preserved. It was great to see the Brit people show respect to their culture in such a massive way.

·         The respect the people of Britain have for their culture and tradition. When the prayers started, people went quite as a hush descended on the congregation.

How do I see myself? Where do I see myself going? Do a good job, build great relationships and then leave everything behind. Just go away. Fade away.  Fade. Alone.

I wonder how the hbr author would react in an emotionally charged happy circumstance. I think he would be clueless. 

I believe for people who take an accountant’s view of life, following would be true:

Parents: Assets if they are rich and independent: Liabilities if they are dependants and sick?

Kids: Liabilities?

Wife: Asset till she is pretty and youthful and flirty; Liability when she is a responsible mother, daughter or sister?

Your employer: people you chum off to make your phoney living.

I don’t want an accountants view of life. I don’t want an MBAs view of life. I want to live a balanced life. I want to learn new things, get new experiences, travel, make new friends and build great relationships. I want to be a genuine nice guy.