Over the past few days, I have been wondering what we are doing out here?
When I was young and just had learnt to speak, people would ask me what I wanted to be after I grew up. I don’t remember what I used to answer. But am sure they expected – Engineer, Doctor, Lawyer, etc. I still see the same questions being asked and the same answers expected. One of my younger cousins who was very impressed with all the bedtime stories answered, “Lord Vishnu”. Quite understandably it was met with laughter.
Come to think of it, whatever your answer might be, you are always running behind something. Let me change the subject to “Me” because otherwise it might seem very rude! Few years back, I was running behind the X std marks. Then it was the XI and XII marks! [AP has public exams for both the years!] Sometime later, it was engineering percentage. Then MBA ogpa! And all for what? Money! It is all about money honey!
Picture this, I am told respectability is what we are looking for by gathering all this. Very good. Then let me go and stay in a hut and do social work. Respect me for my simplicity, possible? No, I don’t have money. Respect is there, but err… ahem… excuse me!
Respectability comes from where? Society. Who or what is this society? Congregation of people looking out for mutual respect. More the money, more the respect! Will these people come to help you when you are in trouble? Sorry, that’s your problem and we don’t interfere in others’ problems. So, what use is this society of? Practically nothing. But every second of your existence you are concerned of what is spoken about you by the society! Respectability you see!
Finally, all the functions in your houses that take place, what are you trying to achieve? If it’s a wedding, then it should be grand, na?! Why? Why not a simple wedding in a temple in front of your beloved Gods and close relatives? Nobody ever gives a thought to such things. You do it because the society expects it. And also because your relative/ neighbour did it like that and he/she doesn’t earn even half as much as you do! So, there we go! Society. Status. Respect.
No, we are not doing it because someone did it. We are doing it to the level we can. Level? What’s that? An euphemism for status. Looking out for a certificate from the society. Are we doing it okay with our level or not?
Whether I become a lawyer, doctor, engineer, manager or a whatever, I am always asking this question from the society and expecting a satisfactory answer. Not that I want to be like that. The problem is that I have been taught to live that way. Everybody around me lives that way so that should be right! Everybody = Society!
Unfortunately, Life has been defined in this way. Money is the root cause. Well, I don’t deny you need money to survive [again unfortunately it is the crudest form of barter system!], but then excessive preoccupation with money, status, respect leads to doom! And you are becoming all those things [Doc, engr, etc] in life because you want that money. Right?
Why can’t we “Just Be”?
Okay, I may be or may not be Lord Vishnu, I don’t know.
I completely agree. This doing things for the “society” is exasperating. These days I try to do things as I like and try to be happy instead of trying to please others and be unhappy myself in the due course. But what you have said is true. Money is the root casue of all this maintaining level in the society. It is sad but true.
Hardu:
Carry on living the way you want to! And be happy! May God Bless you!
It is a great article. Ya adi u r right, but not every body goes behind money I accept that most of them r like that. The example of marriage might be true but not in all circumstances, it is more of parents who want to do something for their daughter /son they do it that way. But that’s true most of them r influenced by the society in whatever they do.
Kithu:
Parents wanting to do something for their children should first know what their children want. Right? When our wants are so clear, why the gap?
The article was a real thought provoking one ra.Shall say you got a good touch of writing , esply when it comes to writings on current scenario.
I totally agree with your writings. But the intersting thing would be to know who all “the ones” who are living in sync with your thoughts.
In my view, the basic reason for this to happen is because we have been brought up in that way (i have not intentions to critize our parents, when i say that ). but to be precise, thats the way the generations are passing by.
And when you said ,Respect follows Money…..this depends on our way of taking things. As per me, i wouldnt even check or care for Respect from such people who come to me because of my status today.
On a little deviation from this topic, it is also the responsibilites that we take which makes us running for money.The responsibilities that were given to us , but not selected by us.At that stage, we have to go with the things that help us in making quick moeny.
Thereby in this race of running for money there certainly has to be something called “ENIEF FOR ME”, after which we should be able to help others.
Apologize if iam against anyones thoughts on above, Just my thoughts :-)
regards
vamC
VamC:
First of all, on my blog nobody needs to apologize for their thoughts. You are entitled to yours and everybody is entitled to theirs!
Coming to your point, responsibility that is not selected by us. Extremely valid point. Let me try to reply.
First of all, if it was not selected by us then it must have come by luck of draw of God. [I mean to say the situation where we were born into] In which case, the first step is to accept the circumstances as they are given and live with it. Then if we can, try to change it.
From your comment I understand that it is a situation where we have no option but to change it and hence we take a lot of decisions to go behind money. For such situations, that’s the right way to go about it. And I agree with whatever you have to say.
My article probably refers only to those who don’t have to face such situations in life but go behind those material things called Society, Status, Respect, Money!
Adi….
It was anice posting….The issue is not being a doctor or engineer….nowadays the ultimate motive has become to make money…..Whose responsible for this attitude….Nowadays i feel individual happiness are sacrificed for the cause of society’s happiness.
Shubha:
Thanks for your comment! :)