Three questions

HT reader Sumita Ghosh on her philosophy of life.

I attended a workshop on the philosophy of life. On the inaugural day, the participants were asked three questions — “Why do you live?” “Has education made your life better?” “Do you lead a better life than your parents?”

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I pondered for sometime. I felt the first question was slightly ambiguous. If someone asks me, “Why do you live?” I think my answer will be, “I cannot decide on the matter of life and death although it’s my own life!”

But if I were asked, “Why do you want to live?” I would have had a simple answer: “I want to live because I don’t want to see my near and dear ones unhappy. They love me and I reciprocate their love by keeping myself happy and cheerful.” Coming to the second question, I agree with Isaac Newton who wisely said that we learn as long as we live. When my seven-year-old nephew tells me not to stress on ‘e’ while saying, “Enough,” I’m happy to abide by that.

Learning everyday
My maid suggests that I place a piece of furniture in a different area. I do that and I’m amazed at her aesthetic sense. Every day is a learning experience.

The third question reminded me the age-old topic, “Are we happier than our forefathers?” At times, I feel jealous of my mother for having had a comparatively peaceful life than me.

But when I goggle and easily get an important piece of information, all this with the mere flick of a button, I feel great. That way, I feel I’m luckier than my mother. So my philosophy of life is to move along the course that life has planned for us instead of drawing comparisons.