Sunday, August 1, 2010

Independence: An illusion ?

We have been celebrating Independence Day every year for the past many decades with great fervour: it sure feels great to be citizens of a free nation, doesn’t it? Still one wonders: are we truly a free country? Many would raise an eyebrow at this question; after all, isn’t India a sovereign nation boasting of being the largest democracy in the world? We are an independent, developing nation. But in this era of globalization, can the government of India take any decision on its own? Though India is politically independent, is not our government somehow bound to act according to the fancies of the world’s super powers? The answer, as many would sadly state, is yes- The Indian government is weak. It is always easy to blame an authority, especially the government of being weak. But do we ever care to think that in a republic like ours, it is simply the attitude of the people which is reflected by the government? Do we ever care to question our own character? Are we, as individuals, truly free? Free to follow our heart, free to live the life we desire, free to follow our life’s calling? Are we not bound by the many restrictions imposed upon us by family and society? Why are we constricted by such shackles, which on deeper thoughts are non-existent? Do family & society really limit us, or are we prisoners of our own imagination?
And when we, as individuals are unable to free ourselves from the fetters of this deceptive society, do we as a nation have any right to call ourselves liberated? Each individual is badly entangled in the web of materialistic pursuits which he has woven himself, just as a nation is ensnared in the vicious network of globalization. The concept of a truly independent country or an individual is maybe just a Utopian concept, an ideal too perfect to be realistically possible.

What it takes to be happy...

I often wonder, as do many others, that what is it that actually makes one happy? Of course, happiness is a state of mind- some people are naturally cheerful & happy, while others are perennially upset. But still what is it that makes one feel so blissful at times that one feels grateful just to be alive?
A happy person is someone who is content with his life, aware of life's blessings, and thankful to GOD for whatever he has been bestowed upon.
And from what I have observed from my own life, these are some of the things that make one happy:
* Being with someone you really connect with and love being with. This could be anyone- parents, siblings, friends, pets- who genuinely care about you.
* When you are in contact with nature- when you feel the beauty of a flower, the innocence in a puppy's eyes, the freshness of the breeze blowing your hair, thunderstorms and the accompanying cool drizzle.
* In solitude, when you feel the rhythmic beating of your heart and connect to your inner self.
* When you are doing something that you enjoy- It could be your work ( provided that you love your job), or a hobby that is creative.

And the formula for unhappiness? Simple! Being with people whom you are with just for materialistic reasons, not being aware of God's grace, not being comfortable with yourself in solitude and absolutely hating whatever you are doing, coupled with meaningless hobbies like surfing the net or gossiping.

The state of happiness and unhappiness are inter related and cannot be studied in isolation of each other. But since both depend upon the attitude of an individual, it is ultimately the choice of a person- whether he wants to be happy or unhappy with his life.