Random Ramblings

We run after our dreams, money, luxuries and while doing all this we somehow forget about things which really matter. I wonder why? Not that I am an ascetic or monk; even I do that. Running behind the so called dreams of mine, trying to get my share of victories and fulfilling my so-called dreams and aspirations… But will these victories count at the end? I mean, what is that we will cherish when we grow old? No doubts that money earned, dreams realized will act as the measurable parameters to determine the degree of our success—only to an extent though. But that is not gonna be the beginning and end of everything—not our lives. Isn’t it gonna be the peace of mind, degree of satisfaction in relationships and the career which we pursue that will matter? Won’t it be the love and acceptance of the people who matter which we will crave for? Won’t we ask ourselves how many genuine relationships—with friends, relatives, colleagues, or neighbors—did we make in our life’s journey? Won’t we love to know how much respect and love did we earn while living our lives and chasing our dreams?
Another question that often leaves me perplexed is what does happiness really mean? Different people have different definition for this word. As defined in the dictionary, “Happiness is a state of mind or feeling characterized by contentment, love, satisfaction, pleasure, or joy.”
I agree. But often I have seen people correlating happiness with materialistic joys. I firmly believe that materialistic joys are mere ego boosters. Real happiness lies in simple pleasures of lives. For instance, I don’t need expensive items to feel happy. For me (and I believe for many of us) very small gestures, useless as described by many, do wonders. A smile from someone unknown on the road, smell of wet soil, a cool breeze of air, a hug from my loved ones, cute/funny forwarded mails or SMSes from friends, silence of night, walking against the breeze on a vacant road, putting across my thoughts in words …all this works. There are many other things as well which work—a great piece of literature, a soulful song, old couple walking hand in hand on the road, mother feeding his kid on the roadside, getting a chance to get drenched in rain and having a hot Bhutta (muah!), watching innocent kids play, getting an old poem written by me on a torn piece of paper, getting a call from someone I had been thinking of for long…and the list goes on. None of these cost a bomb. They cost nothing at all. But to me they mean the world. These moments make me feel complete. But do we ever pay attention to these treasures when we are busy struggling with life? Nahin na, we don’t. I wonder why? Why while running after our so called dreams, money, luxuries and we often forget about things which really matter. People who really matter and the moments that we will always cherish. I often wonder why? Human nature perhaps.