So, we have lived according to what the society has said so far. I guess that is clear. We studied school from 1st to 12th std. Then did some kind of a under-graduation and so on and so forth. Why? Well, because everyone was doing it we also did it. Anyway, let’s not get caught with that question. Let’s ask some other, different, questions this time round.
When I was in my 1st std I was a person A. When I was in my 2nd std I had become a person B. The difference between A & B might not be much. But think of this: the difference between the person I was when I was in my tenth standard and the person I was during my undergraduation was immense. Where was this difference? In Character? In Personality? In Emotional maturity? In Intelligence? Or in a combination of all these and much more?
Let’s call this “difference” as “growth” as it is commonly named by the society. This growth is definitely a positive aspect of our lives. By moving from following one rule set by the society to the other rule, my growth has also happened. This growth to an extent has happened by limiting myself to the rules of the society. Is it possible that the growth can be more in case I followed some rules set on my own?
Whatever is the quantum of growth, by following the society’s rules, the performance of this growth is measured with money. Where does this growth take us finally? I die a wealthy man? A very wealthy man? Ok, forget the money aspect, will a die as a man having many good relationships? Will I be remembered as a very nice man at heart? [Come to think of it, who isn't a nice man at heart?!] So what is this growth we are all attaining? Every day, every moment, we are growing. So, what are we growing towards?
If I consider the yardsticks with which society measures my growth then I will always be unhappy. There will always be something that’s lacking. And I will be running behind whatever’s lacking. Finally, when I am gone, I neither wouldn’t have touched the finish line of the race [because something is always lacking] nor would I be a happy man. What’s the use?!
The post seems to be very true ! We are growing every day, achieving something, but where we end up – whether achieving something by earning enough of money, or earning good names between pals and relatives !
No…and we are definitely lagging behind in something !
BTW, thanks for blog rolling me !
susubala:
First of all, thanks for your comment! I had blogrolled you long back! :)
The objective of my post is to start a thought process in our minds. As to what is the actual objective of living this life? What are we doing?!
So you mean to say that you don’t want to grow? :P
Adi – my “growth” has been in the negative – when I was in school/college – I was thinking in the old way – praying – reading spiritual stuff..
now – I am becoming young – blogging..reading novels etc etc..
any idea y? :))
U r right in saying that the growth measurement is limited. But not by the society. But by the tangibility, acceptability.Money is the one which is tangible and acceptable. So we resort to money. But the problem is not with the measurement and it doesn’t start from the society.
From the childhood u never measure or never satisfied with ur absolute growth.For example, u r not happy with ur 6 ft height.But u r happy by saying that u r taller than ur neighbour. Its relativie measurement. So u want to grow realtively. Thatz where the problem starts and it starts from u not from the society…
Enna Adi? Am I right?
Adi-Thanks for welcoming me into this blog world….
Adi ,,,,the post was a real good one…talking about the society….if u r successful it claims a part of your success and if u r a failure….it says u r solely responsible….never live for society…be true to yourself…Parameters change from person to person……But character is what tops
Hardu:
Though I know you are joking, what’s the point in “growing”?! I don’t want to!
Arjuna:
Your concept of old and young is mixed up I say!
Beloved:
Though you make an extremely valid point, I want to disagree with you at a different level.
I agree with you that the measurement begins with us and not by the society. But when I was in my schooldays and used to score 23/25 without any effort in tests, I used to get a comment called “Can do better”. And when my mother used to meet my teachers they used to tell that,”Aditya can do much better. He becomes content with whatever he gets.”
During those days I didn’t even know what being content was. That means that was me being me. Without being affected by the society’s measurement. And once those things started getting into my system, I became more inclined towards measuring my “growth” with the tangibles that the society offered.
So, it didn’t start with me. It was put into me at a time when I couldn’t resist such inputs or rather didn’t know why I had to resist such inputs!
Shuba:
Interesting you bring up something called “Character”. I am sure you mean that “character” is what we are as we are. In which case I totally agree with you!
Glad to see you back :)
Lisa:
Thanks!
hi adi, nodu comment madtha iddini. :)
finally it is we who make the decisions.it was our decision to keep the people around us happy. so what are we complaining about? (i always manage to trigger off some kind of arguement or debate…so if u feel like punching my face for having written this..u can scrap in orkut :)
Preethi:
Complaining?
I had rather put it as “thinking aloud”!
Anyway, lets hope my next post answers many of the questions posed here!
Thanks for your comment! :)