I often find it interesting to get perspective about various aspects of life form people with vast life experiences. Hence, I usually tend to talk to such people and get real good insights about various things. Thus, I ended up talking to an elderly man who I felt has a stable life and has been working at a company for a span more than my age.
My question to him was very simple. I asked, “Didn’t you get bored being at a same company for so long? Didn’t you think of the accelerated career growth & monetary benefit you would get had you switched companies?”
He said, “I get what you are saying and you have a fair point too, son. But let me ask you this? What would all those ultimately lead to?”
“A better life”, I said. He nodded at my innocence with a smile and asked, “A better life, in terms of what?” That is where I realised that I did not have a definition for “better life” yet not giving up on it, I said, “in terms of comforts, luxury, peace of mind, etc.”
He said, “everything you just mentioned are states of mind. There are people who complain about BMW 5 series that they own & think BMW 7 series to be more comfortable. There are people who complain about their flat and think that a villa would be more of a luxury. But no, none of this is true. They don’t promise you a better life.”
Well, he had a point but I needed more clarity. Hence, I asked, “Elaborate to enlighten”.
He said, “People often fulfil their basic needs and continue to expand on the same things throughout life. This leads to distress, chaos and a life without a meaningful purpose because desires never end. Because there is always something better”.
I said, “I still do not understand how a nicer car, bigger house don’t add up to make a better life. Haven’t you heard of it where they say, ‘Crying in a Lamborghini is better than crying in a Toyota’”. For which he asked, “If I get you every luxury of this world to enjoy and put a condition that you can enjoy this for one whole day & the next day you shall be beheaded, will you be able to enjoy it all? No! Your mind would worry about what’s coming next.”
“That’s hypothetical”, I said. “No, it is not. The more you possess, the more you are attached to it and the more you are attached, the more shall be the fear of losing it or concern of protecting it or expanding on it and this is a vicious cycle”.
Adding, “The real luxury in this generation is peace of mind, contentment in life and a sense of satisfaction. And you can achieve then only by providing a value addition to the society. We have to work for selfish causes only upto a certain level. Once your basic needs like shelter, clothing and food are more or less sorted in life, start thinking about what value addition you offer to this society, to your country.”
Continuing . . . he said, “That way you will achieve both better life and also a meaning to your life. This way you will also repay your debt to God for giving you the best form of life on this Earth that is ‘the human life’. All great men are great not because they are rich but because they add value to this world.”
I said, “I think your simple life and your mindset where you are inspiring other to have a simple but meaningful life and at the same time encouraging them to make this world a better place to live is your value addition to this society.” He laughed and said, “Thank you, son. There is more but let me keep those for another day. But I am glad that you appreciate my mindset”.
Listening to him was like a moment of enlightenment. I thanked him for setting a right perspective about life and for helping me define a ‘better life’.