Everyone is in a hurry--to reach office, finish chores, climb up the professional ladder---we want things to be done quickly. And I'm certainly no exception...so yesterday my phone was taking more time to open an app and this ticked me off, I instantly thought of changing the ruddy thing!
Later, I realised, how stupid I was to get frustrated, to think of changing the phone because it took 30 seconds more to open the app. And I wondered, what's wrong with me? But then, I am a byproduct of the society we are living in today. This whole ' keep running to get what you want' business is what society is unabashedly promoting. How can I be an exception then?
We have forgotten to be patient-- and I think technology has a great role to play here---faster processors, smarter phones are promulgating the idea that being patient is being stupid! But this is having a great psychological effect on us---our impatience is not limited to gadgets, sadly it has spilled onto the most important aspect of our lives-- relationships! In Delhi, hurling abuses at a slow moving car, picking up instant fights on trivial issues have become a norm! So you need to be rude to survive here! How lame is this?!
Our 'rush' has increased our hunger for materialistic things, to prove the society that we are 'well off' and can afford luxuries! The whole idea of wellness has reduced to materialism and thus, the space for emotions, introspection, nurtuning sensibilities and compassion are withering away. What are we turning into?
This rush has not left us with the time to 'feel'-- to go through the emotional journey from being 'sad' to 'happy' or vice a versa. You are supposed to heal quickly and move on with your life, lest you might lag behind others! Many close to you will actually ask you to 'ignore' the feeling to save you from pain....is that the solution? does repressing your feelings help? For me, it creates more complications---when you are not happy inside, you start looking outwardly, in people first. And because people are also running, they don't have time to give you, to understand your emotions, that's when you start looking at things--buying stuff to make you happy, though ephemeral, it does make you happy for that moment.
All this leaves you dissatisfied at a spiritual and emotional level and the only way to hide it is by displaying your happiness!
I feel social media has to be blamed for further isolating us--- some of my younger friends are so chatty on FB but when I personally meet them, they have nothing to talk about--a stark contrast to their FB chats with me...people are not meeting as often as they should---'time jo nahin hai!'---but kyun? Our parents had no such aides--cellphone, social network, etc, yet their relationships with their friends, relatives are much stronger than ours ever will be!
Is that not ironic and scary?! Technology at one level helps us to stay 'connected' but this very 'connection' is so indifferent, devoid of emotions!
Why don't we discuss these things often without thinking RoI on such discussions, aren't some things meant for pure pleasure and personal reflection?
Is life not beyond the 'great marathon'? Isn't it about self reflection, observing society, questioning its rules and stereotypes, engaging in conversations and discussions that soothe your soul, stimulate you not only intellectually, but emotionally and spiritually?
I'm happy I have friends close to me with whom I can take such journeys, though short, yet fulfilling!
PS: Swati, this came after our conversation yesterday :)
3 comments:
Why blame the externalities. It is us to blame. Why be on FB always. Interact and switch off as and when.
@sharmila---one does get affected by externalities! being on FB is not the prob but making it an alternative to actually 'meeting' and talking is the main issue! This article mainly is an observation than blame!
My exact same reason for going off social media from time to time when "over-sharing" exhausts me. No wonder my deepest friendships are still the ones I forged during my childhood and high school days when we didn't have these social networks to define our "popularity", inter-connectedness and feeling of belonging. Very well written and observed! :)
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