Whether its an ant, an elephant, a snail, a pig, a snake, a lion or a Human being, we all are running after one thing and one thing only, and that’s Happiness. The definition of Happiness may differ as per our individual consciousness and circumstances. But, the basic principle that runs through all of us is the same. Its the avoidance of Pain or Discomfort of any kind and desirability of Pleasure or Comfort. There is no exception to this.
Where the conception of happiness or pleasure is quite simplified and fundamental in the cases of the other animals and living creatures residing in this planet, it starts becoming extremely complex and sophisticated in case of Human beings. After the point when our basic needs are being taken care of and are fulfilled, our happiness quotient takes varied forms and shades in term of its fulfillment.
From the very basic & universal forms of happiness like being loved, respected and cared for, it moves into more complex domains of Egotism, Pride & Vanity, like being in power and the feeling of superiority; the ability of dominating and controlling other fellow beings. From that, it may diverse into the territories of sadistic and cruel forms of self gratifications, like hunting, killing and torturing others for pleasure. The range of deviation engulfed by the human psychology to ‘get satisfied’ is infinitely branched out to be able to confine it to few logical theories and definitions. Anyways,that is not the subject of this post.
What I want to discuss here is the never ending and desperate chase of happiness by human beings.
Since the beginning of recorded history of mankind, we all have been completely engrossed in this single mission of finding true and lasting happiness or peace. But it seems we have not been able to quite grasp it till now. We have failed to crack the code of true happiness and contentment. All that we are able to get the most is just a few fleeting moments pleasure. Its just a momentary sense of happiness. But every-time we feel like getting a good hold of it, its seems to slip away right through our fingers. It just doesn’t stay with us. It fades away!
Whether we crack the toughest of the exams, score the highest and got what we wanted, or we get our dreams job or position, or acquired our dream home and car, or marry that very person we have always craved to be together with, or we get to buy our favorite expensive gadget or luxury item we have always dreamed of, the happiness or pleasure we get from all these things just seems to fade away within a very short time. Any of these things no more gives us that sense of fulfillment. They all tend to become usual and normal. And thus, we need something else to get happy again.
Its exactly like getting a new shot of drug to get high repeatedly, every time the effect of the drug wears off. We have to keep injecting ourselves with the drug to keep that effect on. And as time passes by, our dosage of the drug will keep rising to keep us at the same level of ecstasy.
It’s just insane!
Have you ever heard of the story of the Donkey and the Carrot?
A farmer ties a carrot to a stick and attaches it to a donkey’s collar. The donkey sees the carrot and tries to reach it. But as the donkey walks and moves forward to get the carrot, the carrot moves too. The carrot is always just out of reach. The donkey, unaware of the fact that he is never going to get the carrot, keeps walking and moving forward, chasing and following the carrot.
The story illustrates that the best way to motivate a donkey to keep walking is to dangle a carrot in a stick in front of it.
We are in the same position as is the donkey. The carrot depicts the ‘happiness’ we keep chasing all our life. But ironically we never seem to get it.
Isn’t that how all of us operate in our lives? We desire something in the hope to get happiness or pleasure. We chase it. We even acquire our desired thing. We get ‘happy’ for a while. But then it fades away. The need for something else arises again to get that same kick of happiness or pleasure we originally wanted. And then we find something and start our chase again. This goes on and on for ever. This is the vicious circle that we keep following throughout our life.
Happiness becomes like a mirage, a delusion!
Can we ever be truly happy and content? If yes, where can we find it?
Don’t you think we need to stop chasing senselessly and just ponder upon what we are running after and what exactly are we searching for?!
We are not the animals or insects. Nature has gifted us humans with a higher consciousness and intelligence, so that we can “Think and Realize”. We are not bound by our natural instincts and conditioning unlike the other living creatures of this planet. We are blessed with the capability and capacity to break through our natural constraints and and pave our own way to lasting fulfillment and happiness.
We just need to take some time to “Think and Contemplate”!
Do let me know your views on this…
