E-Paper
Respect uniqueness
It is an irony that we measure our success and happiness by comparing with what others have. This causes unhappiness and dissatisfaction, writes Bhushan Kachru.
It is an irony that we measure our success and happiness by comparing with what others have. This causes unhappiness and dissatisfaction. We tend to develop a mindset of knowing ourselves based on what others are and how they view us. Thus we get caught between two worlds.
The outer world is an outcome of our social comparisons, desires, social status and the inner world is slowly getting guided by the outer world. Paramahansa Nithyananda of Dhyanapttem says, “Whether it is beauty or intelligence, we are unique. It is only when we don’t respect our uniqueness that we start comparing ourselves with others.”
Each one of us carves a separate path to travel the life journey and convert our dreams in to reality. Some are lucky to walk the journey fast while for some the journey may be tedious and time-taking. The key ingredients of happiness lie in knowing ourselves and appreciating our life as it is.
Some people are in the habit of comparing their weaknesses with other’s strength and look for approval from others.
There is no end to comparisons and often these are done without realising the total picture. If others are richer, it may be because of their hard work, better education, sacrifices, and family background. The Bhagavad Gita suggests that happiness and distress are part of our material life and keep coming and going. Be contended with what we have rather than what we don’t.
A study found Olympic bronze medalists happier than silver medalists. The bronze medalists compared themselves with those who competed but won no medal, while the silver medalists compared themselves with gold medallists and felt unhappy for losing the gold. And then haven’t you heard, “He is richest who is happy with what he has”.
