Monday, September 08, 2008

The Grass on Your Side is Always Greener!

This blog is dedicated to all the readers who think something somewhere in their life is missing! Hope you enjoy it and get the message :)

The other day I was flipping through some people's pages (read my contemporaries / social contacts, not necessarily friends) when I was elated to see them happy with their significant other, an-apparently-good-looking-well-paying-job, and a decently nice car. Though I am far away from knowing what they think, yet it did appear to me that to them, life was full upto the brim, with all the necessary elements needed for a good life defined in the societal terms.

Contrast me. Not quite sure where the "significant-other" chapter is heading to; rather, to be precise haven't been looking out, for reasons more than one, and lessons beyond simple popular notions. And I am happy the way things are regarding this - after all, who can parallel a girl like me? ;-) Oh yeah, I am a little too proud when it comes to finding that "significant other". And I don't see a reason why I shouldn't be!

Jokes apart, about the apparently-good-looking-well-paying-job, I don't believe in the entire concept of working for the sake of money, or doing something which "people" around you consider fulfilling, yet leaving you go back home thinking "what the heck I am doing with my life?". I live a life which I can enjoy, work on stuff which intrigue me, so that the next morning when I get up, I can look back at yesterday and feel ecstatic about the little accomplishments I made, the little differences I could make to a much larger goal.

A loving partner, a well-paying job and other material comfort are necessary in life, no doubt. But are they sufficient as well? I am sure most of you would think no! And this is what exactly defines the way my life is.

Life doesn't have to be exactly the way other people lead it as. Rather life should be led the way you think it makes you happy. Having a relationship is good, but not a necessary element for happiness in life. I know so many friends (and I was also one of them at one point of time) who think that their life is so incomplete because that "significant other" is missing. However, they don't realize that being in a relationship is not the end of the world, or the attainment of Nirvana. The reason you are not in a relationship is because either you haven't met that "right" person, or the ones whom you have met, weren't "right" for you - whichever way, or whatever the reason for the past not working, it's good you are not a part of that mess anymore.

And of course the realm of job, money and satisfaction, or the opportunity to do what you want to or love to do. Honestly, there are very few people bold or courageous enough to tread a risky path as to go ahead and find that job or that work which leaves them satisfied. And the ones who do tread that thorny path, are warded away from the societal definitions of a so-called comfortable life. Yet, to all of those like me, who are set on a journey to make a difference to the world, in some way, small or big, I would say, kudos! May be you feel something somewhere in your life is missing, yet you know whatever you have, it is the best you could do to yourself. And definitely that defines why you are better than all the other commonplace crowd!

Life is too short anyway, note, I am 26, and time seems to be flying! Then why wither away time thinking and comparing yourself with others, being morose imagining how your life could have been? It is foolish to do so.

I sometimes feel so bad that I want to do so much in life; so many things which could make me happy (note, I am very happy with my current life, I have no grudges, no complains whatsoever!) and could make others happy; things which could affect another person's life positively; things which could impact the world a little bit. There are so many things I want to do, and yet so less time!

I agree, probably my life is so very different from many others, when you evaluate it in the popular societal terms of having a good partner, good paying job, big house and elegant car, yet I feel this is the way my life should have been; even if given a chance to go back, I would still wish my life to be this way: however much stress it might involve! And about the societal material happiness, it is often a matter of time and a method of personal evaluation - and as long as you pass your own test, you don't need someone else' certificate of happiness!

So keep living each day, like a live happy person, who thinks the grass she has is the best she could have then, and work and hope that it will be greener, more lush and better with each new day!


7 comments:

Aparna Ganguly said...

Sometimes, it is not what it appears to be. If look beyond, you might see through the charade of happiness some people put up by highlighting elements like: significant other, an-apparently-good-looking-well-paying-job, and a decently nice car. True happiness is not always a function of those. In fact, it is not a dependent variable at all. It's something natural that flows from inside. Otherwise how would you explain poor people being happy? Or a woman devoted to treat her husband suffering from a chronic illness still smiling when she performs her duties? Or a couple walking hand-in-hand because they don't have enough money to buy a car?

You sum up well- 'keep living each day'. I truly believe that he/she who has made this the mantra of his/his life is the wisest of all. And richest of all. 'Cause he/she is the happiest of all.

Kudos for the post.

Munmun said...

@ Aparna
Thanks :) yeah, I also believe happiness is an inner quality, it doesn't come with the external variables!

Partha Pratim Sanyal said...

I like that 'Carpe Diem!' funda.

Sometimes when I'm hell depressed, your blog has just the right post to enliven and rejuvenate me.

Thanks yaar!

Munmun said...

@ PP
Thanks ! I am glad this blog comes to at least one other person's help, after me :)

Tech Monster said...

Very well written Mun. Your blogs have so much positive energy. I am happy you are enjoying what you are doing. Keep going ...

Anonymous said...

really nice article:)

Anonymous said...

Hi MunMun...well said but all that ain`t easy ..what if you are in relationship but not with the right person..:-) do u still enjoy life then?