Life is most commonly said to be too short; it is also described as too unpredictable and uncertain. But, how do we know that life is too short when no branch of science, religion, sorcery, astrology or palmistry could decode the span of a human life? It has remained a divine knowledge only. Is it really the number of years a person breathes, which determines the length of its life? Or does its quality and magnanimity also determine as how virtuous and marvelous a life has been spent?
A 26 years old, supposedly, having a full life ahead to do wonders, mend mistakes, develop relationships and attain the bounties of the world, fancies suicide. Optimism suggests that no challenge can be too impossible to leave no scope for any resolve, mitigation or escape. There will always be options and opportunities awaiting to be thought and availed of and always there will be associates or strangers who could lend a helping hand. But life has become an unbearable long ordeal for this young mind.
Whereas, a 90+ years old couple, keeps such profound fondness, admiration and association with life that they fight with the novel virus with astounding conviction to survive. They still aspire to breathe in this air to praise the exquisiteness of this world.
Life is Allah’s gift. Making this priceless gift worth its while is the real purpose of our existence. To do justice, each moment must be Spend like a gem which deserves to be well looked after and well worn.
We pen down to achieve a degree, a dream job, a lavish house, a fully loaded car, a beautiful life partner and the favorite world destinations to travel to by this and that age but how many of us actually enlist the rare riches of being happy, having peace of mind and being thankful and content? These are the bliss of life but do we include them in our checklist when we chalk out the future plan? Perhaps we consider our wish list of dream items a means to achieve this end.
A cool job will ensure the financial security which will guarantee the peace of mind, living in the meticulously furnished house and driving the shiny new customized vehicle will take us on the road of happiness swiftly and a pretty face to accompany me in life will fill my heart with gratitude and fulfillment. Does it really happen? Is it a simple mathematical equation to equalize both ends or a chemistry formula to put in exact amount of correct ingredients to acquire the required chemical? As Dalai Lama narrated, “Happiness is not something ready- made. It comes from your own actions”. No predefined recipe, method, model or theorem can warrant the virtues of life for us. We first need to identify what a fulfilling and prosperous life means for us.
The exhilarating youthful years that are spend anxiously, stressfully and laboriously running after achieving the worldly goals of success, distinctions and accomplishments with eyes on the clock trying to hypnotize the needles to slow down, feet trembling in between sky and ground struggling to find the right path and mind in a cruncher rotating round and round, going crazy to get the right consistency of ideas and plans. What about missing those romantic rainy mornings with soft cool breeze to caress and lush green freshly washed leaves and grass to refresh the eyes? Or the sunny afternoons of late December to soothe the soul from head to toe and the joy of colorful blooming flowers in mesmerizing shades in the intimidatingly alluring springs? The calculating mind is incapacitated to even notice all these enchanting presents of nature let alone romanticize with them.
We consider them, the leisure activities of a time when pocket will be heavy and career will be flourishing. Will we live long enough and will the aesthetic and fun loving instinct body will be young enough to feel the charm?
The wonderful people we inherit as relatives, evolve as friends or become the source to give birth – do we truly adore, revere, indulge and relish them? Could we cultivate, foster, care, nourish and nurture to their due deserving? Whether we are too consumed in burning our sweat and time that we ignore the glee of our kids’ little pranks and laughter or are in such a blind rush that could not sit with the aged mother to listen to her life stories which could be of great solace to her? Was I too foolishly succumbed to my career dreams that I could not develop a compassionate relationship of care and understanding with my life partner? Are we there to tend to our friends for a relationship advise, to console a loss or to celebrate something together? Even though our affection and sincerity to these relations is unconditional but the worry of gratifying the ambitions and aspirations blindfolds us. And by the time it is uplifted, sometimes its already too late.
No doubt, occupational callings are vitally valuable and one must work diligently to create an environment of comfort and gaiety for one’s family. But professional passion must not become a monstrous obsession causing dejection, disappointment, qualm and suffering for the dear ones as well as a cumbersome load for one’s own self. If it becomes strangling for us and suffocating for others then its not a passion but a parasite eating up the peace of your life slowly and silently.
Keeping a balance is an essential virtue to assume in order to love and adore life. Keeping priorities straight, having strong spiritual faith and being absolutely clear about true meaning of happiness is the key to this balance. Material gains are timely triumphs and will always remain empty victories if not accompanied by compassion for others. Being dutiful to our personal responsibilities in respectful manner and be lavish in accommodating people will add purpose and delight to life. By becoming a source of a little comfort to others will multiply our own pleasures of life many folds. Kindness and gentleness beget consolation.
Having a spiritual or religious faith will not only enable us to remain steadfast at testing times. Faith is the only powerful tool which gives the conviction and strength to withstand when afflicted with pain, sorrow, sickness or despair. A wise mind said, “Faith is the only lens which separates good from the bad”. A happy life necessitates this lens not to be distorted.
Being thankful for the abundance of blessings in the shape of a lovely family, a healthy body, a sane mind and opportunities to be resourceful fosters contentment. There is no superior fortune than a content and satisfied heart. Such a soul is not left at lurch when posed with a crucial challenge and would not raise hue and cry when have to move out of the comfort zone. Composure of personality and reliance on a consultative lifestyle become the unwavering champions of the contended heart.
Avoiding all hardships is not possible as only a dead being might not have any stress. But we can manage and evade larger devastation by regulating our responses, temperaments, expectations and considerations. It is said that “those who tread slow, go far.” If we give ourselves sometime before responding to a pressing matter, it mostly is better resolved. In the amidst of a situation, it might help to pause, ponder and plan instead of jumping to the conclusion briskly.
Let’s try to lead a life of opulence and riches by relishing each moment with a keen eye on splendors of nature, an affectionate heart and attentive presence for loved ones, a submitting and humble soul to the Almighty and an effusive attitude towards living beings. Then life will only be an asset to long for- neither too short nor too shackled.
The writer can be reached at sunniyakhn@gmail.com
