IN PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS
“I do not have time to eat!!” Have often had the opportunity to say this and listen to this from friends. We as a race are conditioned to think that the lesser we take care of ourselves, the more selfless we are and the more committed we are to the work we do. But is that really true? Who is responsible for taking care of the body and soul that we are blessed with. If you treat everybody’s children well but ill treat your own child does that make you a better parent? So aren’t we a parent of this soul and body too?
What are we pursuing? This question strikes me often. When I see people haggling with vegetable vendors, mothers screaming at their children, fathers raising their hands on the mother and child in an act to discipline I wonder how disconnected we are becoming from ourselves. What are we pursuing? Saving a rupee or two from the vegetable vendor is in no way making us richer. Is it just a pseudo sense of superiority? The same food if is available for 400 rs at a pizza corner, we don’t bat our eyelids and pay and feel superior that we can afford such luxuries!! How does saving 2 rs and spending 400rs end up giving you the same high?
I remember the days that we used to get together at home and see one programme on the television. We had to by force connect with a common programme and channel that all could watch. Having 3 generations under one roof that sorting process lent to excellent choices to see. So I remember seeing 3 stooges with my grandpa, watching WWF with my brother and Udaan with my mom. All of us used to get together to watch programmes like Bournvita Quiz Contest or Mahabharat or even Zee Horror Show. Now with a 4 bedroom house with 4 televisions are we able to connect? Is communal viewing of TV not as good as communal eating? Why does the same chole puri eaten alone not taste as good as when all are eating together on a family lunch?
Today most of us can afford a day care, a nanny, an excellent international school, private tutors, saxophone lessons, horse riding and ofcourse the latest ipads and playstations. But ask yourself can you afford quality time with the kid? In the pursuit of the next promotion, the higher pay scale, the bigger loans, the bigger cars, the bigger villas, the more fame, the next achievement award or the appreciation that comes from your clients/ patients....do we have more quality time to go to a garden, touch the flowers and gaze at the night sky with ourselves or the kids. Then where is the peace in life that education was supposed to give us? Didnt we all hear while growing up that if you finish this education your life will be SET!! Why are we still pirsuing happiness then?
The answer seems all within. Quiet those sounds and ask your soul..why are you here, what is your role on this planet..and where are you heading. The answer will come silently and funny enough it will have nothing to do with your achievements ..Happy Talking Within!!
