There I said it. I wish people around me and the world over would just quit the rat race and make living life simple. Mind you, I am not referring to the rat race in the professional space or getting those high scores at the university exam. I am asking all of those caught in complexity of life to quit the rat race which they have built in their life at home, office, colony, kids' schools, wherever they set foot in.
When I was in school, I read, heard and realized that we are in the rat race to score high grades in order to get into prestigious colleges and universities. At university, the rat race turned into a fight for getting the right job. So when I had that first job, I thought I was finally out of the rat race and I didn't give a damn whether I came out first. I was glad there were no more rat race to compete in. Life was sticking out its tongue to me, in a short while I realized the rat race had just begun. What rat race am I referring to?
Here's the picture:
At work: Get the next better job -> Get atleast a X% hike into your next job
At Home: Grab a suitable groom for yourself; "suitable" according to society with X as salary; XY looks; etc, etc.
So I get the next better job; keep in mind the salary and get married and think, "There, now I am finally out."
Ho Ho Ho... here's what the future held
At Work: Secure the promotion -> Batch mates have X salary; aim for z% increment by achieving y% target
At Home: Sonia went for a trip to Maldives; aim for Turkey in next 3 months -> Neela, Sheela, Naveela got babies; aim for one of your own now.
You must have got it by now; these lists never end. The ones caught in these lists are the ones living the complex life and the ones lead by heart are living the simple ones. (I am not against lists for life but carve your own list; stop peeping into your neighbor's.)
But, following your heart is not as simple as it sounds. Rat race is just a nice name given to our negative feelings; jealousy, egoism, competitiveness and I am not saying we should be saints but we should atleast fight our negative thoughts and feelings. All of this is possible if your aim is not to beat every one or any one at any of those silly race and you etch out your own dreams.
In all honesty, I have been part of the rat race and still get my heels caught in the web sometimes. But I am confident I am a happy person when I walk at my pace and don't compare my salary, work description, husband's/kids' achievements, hobbies, clothes with anyone. I am not suggesting that I have got it right in life, I am sharing my funda for people who want to keep it simple!
When I was in school, I read, heard and realized that we are in the rat race to score high grades in order to get into prestigious colleges and universities. At university, the rat race turned into a fight for getting the right job. So when I had that first job, I thought I was finally out of the rat race and I didn't give a damn whether I came out first. I was glad there were no more rat race to compete in. Life was sticking out its tongue to me, in a short while I realized the rat race had just begun. What rat race am I referring to?
Here's the picture:
At work: Get the next better job -> Get atleast a X% hike into your next job
At Home: Grab a suitable groom for yourself; "suitable" according to society with X as salary; XY looks; etc, etc.
So I get the next better job; keep in mind the salary and get married and think, "There, now I am finally out."
Ho Ho Ho... here's what the future held
At Work: Secure the promotion -> Batch mates have X salary; aim for z% increment by achieving y% target
At Home: Sonia went for a trip to Maldives; aim for Turkey in next 3 months -> Neela, Sheela, Naveela got babies; aim for one of your own now.
You must have got it by now; these lists never end. The ones caught in these lists are the ones living the complex life and the ones lead by heart are living the simple ones. (I am not against lists for life but carve your own list; stop peeping into your neighbor's.)
But, following your heart is not as simple as it sounds. Rat race is just a nice name given to our negative feelings; jealousy, egoism, competitiveness and I am not saying we should be saints but we should atleast fight our negative thoughts and feelings. All of this is possible if your aim is not to beat every one or any one at any of those silly race and you etch out your own dreams.
In all honesty, I have been part of the rat race and still get my heels caught in the web sometimes. But I am confident I am a happy person when I walk at my pace and don't compare my salary, work description, husband's/kids' achievements, hobbies, clothes with anyone. I am not suggesting that I have got it right in life, I am sharing my funda for people who want to keep it simple!
