If one looks at the time and energy one spends in a day as an investment, which would be the ideal avenues for doing so wisely? Most of us invest the bulk of our efforts in realising material goals. The wiser amongst us try to create a balance between investing in people and material pursuits. This leads to a greater level of happiness in life because family and friends are important for one’s emotional well-being. What most of us fail to do, however, is channelise our lives in the pursuit of an idea or goal. This does not refer to the pathetic excuses for goals that society sets for us, or we set for ourselves under the influence of social factors. A goal in its truest sense is shaped by one’s unique individuality. If achieved, it would justify one’s existence on this earth in its entirety. Investing time and effort towards the achievement of such a goal is something that can help one give meaning to one’s life.
For most of us, finding that goal is a task in itself, because it is not something as simple and specific as clearing an interview. For example, it is one thing becoming a successful chef, but a completely different ball game altogether becoming a chef who brings something entirely new to the table – someone who cannot be replaced. Ideally, each of us has that special place in the world given our unique make up, but no guidance available to be able to direct our lives towards that place. It is a battle that we must fight on our own.
Investing time in maintaining relations with people brings us satisfaction, but only to an extent. Like everything else in life, people also change and in the end we would be lucky to have even a few loving individuals that stand by us. The only thing that will never escape you is your own sense of self. And it is a far greater pursuit than any other trying to give meaning to it.
As a society we have developed a surprising comfort with mediocrity. It is perfectly acceptable for a person to not be exceptional in any way and get married, have children and lead an ordinary life. But, if one were to dedicate one’s life towards something that one is truly passionate about, one’s actions would be met with disapproval. If someone like APJ Abdul Kalam had spent most of his energy in family matters or matters that concern an ordinary individual, it would have been a great loss for the nation, for us, and most of all for himself, as there would be no greatness associated with him. If Van Gogh had been more interesting in making money by selling paintings, than in art, there would be no Van Gogh. We would not know such a person. That is why one should not evaluate his actions by normal social parameters, but by how close they bring him to greatness.
Every one of us who has found that one thing that one thinks about all the time – that drives one’s passions in life, should consider himself or herself lucky. And he or she should not be sad if things in other areas of life do not work out as planned, because sometimes when you fail in mediocre pursuits, you are destined to achieve greatness.
