Run, rabbit run.
Dig that hole, forget the sun,
And when at last the work is done
Don't sit down it's time to dig another one.
(Pink Floyd - Breathe)
Over the past few months, MBA vs GRE vs Job has been the hottest topic of discussion in the CS corridoors. Now on the brink of fourth year, this ugly topic has cropped up for many who have no idea about what they want to do. There are those who have decided to follow their interests and then there are those who advocate a career path just for the money in it.
Right from the childhood an individual is taught to sacrifice the present, for a better and more comfortable future. There are people who never initiate the process, those who give up in between after reaching a particular level and then there are those who never stop, forgetting the very basic purpose of their efforts. The question that comes is whether to stop, and if yes then when to stop?
There are three words that come to mind here: Success, Satisfaction and Happiness.
Generally speaking, Satisfaction is a necessary for Happiness, and Success is necessary for Satisfaction. To achieve Success one must have a desire for it, for which one needs to be dissatisfied in the first place. It is also important to realise that once one has attained happiness and satisfaction it wont last forever and in future one will only be driven to search for a greater level of satisfaction which will lead to disatisfaction and ultimately to satisfaction and happiness. So to stop is definitely not the answer. And often the level one attains by sarifices will require the same amount of sacrifices to sustain itself or move forward. So, to sacrifice oneself isnt right either.
The question here is who defines these three things for a person? If one allows someone else to define it for him then he can never trully be happy or satisfied. The most important thing is to be true to oneself. There is always a price to be paid for being good, for doing what one believes in. But the greater motive is ultimately to preserve ones own identity and that is what brings true happiness. The key lies in moving along at the right pace, which one decides for himself and that which one can maintain without sacrificing his identity in the process. At the end of the day its the identity that one creates for himself that matters.
Though this analysis has helped me little in making that crucial decision for myself, it certainly has helped me understand things better. And while there will be a time when I'll have to get up and make a run again, for today I can just lie down on my bed, turn on Dogs by Pink Floyd, close my eyes, and go to sleep without bothering about setting any alarm..
Influenced heavily by The Namesake (Jhumpa Lahiri) and Pink Floyd.
P.S: Dairy milk is the proof that God exists and wants us to be happy.
The gift of Federer
1 year ago
The inspiration line at the very end is inspired from our beloved super-senior?
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ReplyDeleteI totally respect what you say. Also, being an ardent fan of Pink Floyd myself I have a reverence for your speech.
ReplyDeleteWe've had a long discussion on this already but since you've struck the chord again I will not mind reiterating.
Through ages men have toiled. Their efforts have not gone into vain. They have struggled to achieve what they wanted to but the point is that there was something they wanted to! Because of some man you don't know of you can enjoy the luxury of your bed. Because of some man you can listen to a song on your computer. Because you some men that song even exists. Could you even dream of Dairy Milk if someone had not striven in his room to create the delicacy called Chocolate. Would you want these men to sleep in their beds and not worry about their alarm clocks?
With due respect, Pink Floyd does NOT advocate against work, effort, strive or struggle. It advocates against rat race, against losing everything to gain something, against vice, evil, demeaning of happiness, optimism, hope, against a blind pursuit of money (Dogs). They want you to breathe the air, enjoy the nature, derive happiness from even the most subtle flapping of the butterfly's wings (though it may cause a tsunami) . They want you to be happy and hopeful. They don't want you to be satisfied and rest in peace.
Your life is of paramount importance to the world. Only in satisfying your selfish pursuits can you return the debt to this world. Have a desire, even if it is of money for money is not earned without toil. Money is earned for your effort. It is a return of what you did for mankind. It is a reward you deserved. And damned be he who says you cannot struggle to achieve a goal and be happy at the same time. Have a destination da. Don't settle, for the road goes on and on and ever on.
Satisfaction and happiness are a state of mind. You can be happy even when you're starving and be sad even when there's no gloom. I have no shame in committing that I love money and I promise you that I won't spare even a morsel of happiness while pursuing it.
Don't label me a preacher. Do what you feel is best for yourself for that is the only way you can attain happiness. I understand that you enjoy the benches but I'd appreciate if you start understanding that there are players who never want the match to end.