How many times have we heard people saying, “I hate this life?” Everyone feels that his/her life is a hell, while all others are having a great fun. Life seems to be a stream of miseries from birth to death. At every step of life, we have something to complain about – be it a job, location, weather, finance, appearance, parents, friends, children, health, spouse, boss, colleagues, systems or destiny. The famous poet Nida Fazli has rightly captured this sentiment in the following couplet:
“Kabhi Kisi Ko Muqamal Jahan Nahin Milta
Kahin Zamin To Kahin Aasmaan Nahi Milta”
[No one ever gets a complete world,
Sometime the ground and sometime the sky is missing.]
Are we then destined to suffer in life? I believe it depends upon us. It depends upon how we look at life. If we look at one aspect in isolation of all other aspects, then we will always find something amiss. However, the nature has designed this world in a package form. A rose always blooms with thorns to protect its tender petals. Scorching sun is always followed by the comforting moon. A physical disability is counterbalanced by extra-ordinary efficiency of some other organ. You may not have a high-profile job, but may be free from a dreaded disease. You may not have a home of your own, but you may have friends to host you anywhere in the world. You may not have a fat bank-balance, but you may win hearts by sharing whatever you have. Your appearance may not be attractive, but your personality may be influential. Your spouse may not measure up to your expectations, but he/she may be able to complement your short-comings. Your parents may not be modern, but their hearts may be filled with unconditional love. Your children may not have done well in studies, but they may respect you and hold highest regards for the humanity. You may not have scaled great heights in your career, but you may have been blessed with understanding bosses and compassionate colleagues. You may have only one friend, but he/she may be the one with whom you can open your heart. You may not be living in a happening city, but you may create your own world of interesting hobbies. You may have to deal with a corrupt system, but you may use it to test your own moral strength. In the nature, perfection of a whole is the sum total of its seemingly imperfect parts. The sign that adorned wall of Einstein’s office at Princeton read, “Not everything that counts can be counted, and not everything that can be counted counts.”
Destiny is directly proportional to what we have or haven’t done. There is no use of complaining about destiny. Worrying will not take away tomorrow’s troubles; it will only take away today’s peace. E. M. Foster says, “We must be willing to let go of the life we have planned, so as to have the life that is waiting for us.” Same actions will always produce same results. If we want something to change, we have to do something different. Every difficulty is an opportunity to rise above present condition. Nature brings about growth in everything through challenging circumstances. The very birth of a child is through intense pain of delivery. Let’s develop a wholesome view of every situation. Life is indeed a beautiful package deal.
7 comments:
Yes, Count your blessing is the famous saying.
The listed examples of situations which bring unhappiness are realistic and cover most cases of humanity. So, no need to be perpetually unhappy about anything in life.
V K Natarajan
Dear Raj,
A really well written and inspirational piece of work. Something that we should all ponder on more often. They say you need to be high enough to get a view of the whole picture...tough call since we are part of the picture as well...I guess to see this "package", we need to elevate ourselves..perhaps the best elevation is through spiritual means..
Thank you for yet another inspiring article. Quoting from your article 'We must let go of the life we have planned, so as to have the life that is waiting for us" - such a simple yet powerful statement. It is good to plan life but it is equally important to be flexible. Go with the flow and accept life's events gracefully keeping in mind that good times don't last forever and after the bad times comes good times.
CELEBRATE LIFE
(Letter to KT, 31 March 2011)
The wonderful write up, ‘Life is indeed beautiful’ (Open Space, March 29), comes at a time when the world is facing turbulent times in different forms. While some people face their worst troubles with a smile, most of us view troubles from our own angle and feel that we are the only ones who are suffering.
When we look around and see what is missing in the lives of others we realise how beautiful our life is. We have jobs that we can crib about and people whom we can find fault with, a family that can share our joys and sorrows.
The celebration of being alive is a beauty in itself. Our zest to go and find the meaning of our lives and the purpose of our existence definitely makes our life beautiful. Since we really do not know how long we will live, we should make it beautiful for ourselves and others around.
-Latha Narasimhan, Sharjah
fantastic, keep it up
Thanks for the beautiful mail. I have sent it to many of our friends.
It is rightly and aptly said that without grudges,explanations and expectation we should adore the beauty that God has bestowed on every human being in different manner. The difference in complaining and praising depends upon the spirit of acceptance.
I sum up with 'Joseph Murphy' "Infinite riches are all around you if you will open your mental eyes and behold the treasure house of infinity with in you.There is a gold mine with in you from which you can extract everything you need to live life gloriously,joyously and abundantly.
More write ups are needed from your side for this chaotic world.
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