When a friend called to tell me “my niece’s husband died of a heart attack…he was 31” I was not really aghast. I see people from various fields and when I see people from media, events, etc. I am stunned (shocked?) or appalled at their life-style. They work amazingly long hours. Staying at the venue the whole night (night before the event) is not out of the ordinary. They work till 5am and then ride home in a 2 wheeler. They are then back in office by 11 am – they need to see that the event goes on fine.

Then there are people who work with clients in the US or UK which means they start their day a little late, but they work till 1am at least. Now add travel time.

The boys at Swiggy, Zomato, Uber, and Ola – Regularly log in 12 hours. At 8am you see them hanging around popular hotels hoping to get a call to take the food. Or in suburbs at 4am hoping to get the guy going to the airport.

When we celebrate the low prices at which we are getting amazing service, we need to worry about the health of these kids. These are our kids, right?

When they drive a vehicle -remember they could be sleep deprived. They and YOU both are at risk. I engage with them so that they remain alert – and I heard of a man who was in his vehicle 14 hours a day and takes one day off in a MONTH.

And I meet rich and successful people. Most of them do things in moderation. They always did it in moderation. I meet CFOs of big companies. Some of them kill themselves by reaching home at 9, dinner at 10.30, flights at 6am,…and I meet some who live life in moderation.

To live in a state of moderation means to live a balanced life – no extremes. Successful people seem to avoid excesses of any kind. No wild parties, no irregular travel, no wild emotional swings, addictions, obsessions, over-eating, starvation, extravagances etc. They keep their thoughts and emotions on a short leash. I know one CFO who acts as a conscience keeper for his Managing Director. They understand the need to be on an even keel and in control of their lives. Many of them throw in 5-6 hours of exercise in a week.

See the difference?

Understand that you could live till your age of 100 years. Into this life you need to do things slowly, and enjoy the process. Charlie Munger turned 95, and Warren Buffett is not very far away. To enjoy your life you need to live long enough. What is the point in killing yourself at 30? or even 43? What were you trying to achieve?

Mahatma Gandhi spoke about TOLERANCE. You cannot love all your country men – just be tolerant. Similarly moderate your life. Work, family time, internet, learning, entertainment, sleep, exercise, socializing, reading, television, travel, – all of this has to be built into your life. Fairly obvious that you cannot rush it.

Aim for financial freedom -but it need not mean an early retirement. Last week I heard about a 81 year old travelling from Andheri to Churchgate for this work, and a 93 year old running his co-operative society successfully. I heard from a friend’s sister working in Canada about her help center. She deals with most people over the age of 90. She has 100 year old people calling for some help (she works in a Senior Citizens help center). She spoke about a 110 year old who drives, pays his bills, etc. and lives alone.

Decide on what kind of life you want to live, and prepare accordingly.

It’s your life.