++ Existence ++

Yes, it’s that time again. I feel the urge to pointlessly ramble, and try to show how artsy-fancy and philosophical I can sound. I can guarantee you, that it will be the biggest epic fail ever.

Anyway, more or less, this note is partially written for my gorgeous Sister who seems to be infected by my tendency to pointlessly ramble on basically the most trivial things in life *points at her most current note*.

Her note (if you are on her friends’ list, you can view it) reminds me of the conversation that I had with this person whom I crossed path a few weeks ago. We both happened to be waiting for the same train, and heading to the same destination. Knowing the hippy that I am, I chatted him up, and that led us to have a conversation on various topics. Religion, politics, economy, ethical farming, health and nutrition, you name it! I gotta say, the dude is extremely intelligent and knowledgeable. It was obvious, given the depth of his responses to the topics that we covered that day. Anyway, I learnt that he was a sociopath. He claimed that he could not feel any sympathy towards others’ misfortune nor he felt the urge to help ease others’ sufferings. Well, I frankly could not relate to what he was experiencing, but hey I would not judge. I cannot judge someone based on what their neurology has programmed them to feel and act. As long as they do not harm nor invade others’ personal space, I won’t say that sociopaths are bad people. Just my humble opinion.

Anyway, our conversation led us to talk about profession, and what we wanted to achieve through our profession. He expressed sentiments against working for government, because he could not climb to the top as he would in the private industry. I disagreed. I argued that working for government provided us with work and life balance, and we would not be enslaved to gaining more and more money in the expense of our time. I guess people have already assumed that working for a government’s agency equates laziness and pure bludging (which sometimes I cannot deny, but I believe if someone is motivated and willing to work hard, then good things can come out). If I can recall correctly, the conversation goes like this

Hippy-dudette: I actually believe that working for the government is great! You can get work and life balance, something that you cannot get from private firms who usually overwork their employees.

Socio-dude: Well, I guess your perspective as a woman differs from male perspective. We men are born with this masculine instinct, that gives us the urge to climb to the top and ‘conquer’ other men. That’s why working in the private industry is ideal, because it pushes us to our limits, and we can earn high salary.

Hippy-dudette: Well I guess it boils down to our purpose in life then. Why would you want to spend most of your time working? Don’t you want to have spare time for yourself and others? Will your life be driven purely by money?

*note: that is kinda ironic because right now I am slaving away for work, barely having any day off >.

Socio-dude: It is not just about money! It’s about fame. Don’t you want to be on top, gain that social status and people acknowledge your accomplishment? So you know then, that your life is not wasted. That’s what I am striving for.

The preachy, and hippy me could not resist but answering like I was a character from a Disney movie:


Hippy-dudette: Yes, ‘fame’ can be good. Knowing that your efforts are recognized, that everything isn’t in vain. But I really think that ‘fame’ should be achieved through kindness, and not social status or wealth. When people know you through your position, that ‘fame’ lasts only when you live. But ‘fame’ through kindness lasts forever. When you pass away, people will not remember who the CEO of that big company is, but people will remember that person who give them an act of kindness. When you’ve been good all your life, people will genuinely love you and will miss you when you die. You will still live in their memory. I guess that’s the kind of ‘fame’ I would prefer. Maybe not fame, but rather a sense of existence. That what you do matters to others in a positive way.
...

And the conversation went on and on from that point on. I don’t think I will bore you any further.
Anyway, I hope y’all are aware that the above ‘transcript’ is not verbatim. It’s just the gist of the conversation. Nay, I don’t talk big words like that in real life. I take pride in sounding normal and not like I am reading a C-grade philosophical essay. Y’know I just want to sound oh-so-smart there. Okay that is out of the way.

Some of us have probably wondered what our purpose in life is. Are we merely a result of two people falling into the gravity of physical attraction? Are we just a stretch of mortal time, resulted by random probability (maybe Stephen Hawkings can say a word or two about quantum fluctuation).

I guess we will not find out, with certainty. The point being is that we –exist-. Some people believe that they only exist for themselves; they are born alone and will die alone. But I would like to think, that we also exist for others. After all, others have existed for us. The heroes before our time existed to fight for our independence. The engineers through the age have existed to create better means of living for humanity. The doctors have existed to cure our diseases. The construction workers have existed to build our houses, our buildings, our schools and other structures. Our parents have existed to make us –exist-, to teach us speech and to raise us with love.

So when often you find yourself alone (it’s a massive hint for *coughRubabcough*), rest assured that you’re not. Everything around us is the product of the existence of others. Others have cared enough to make our lives easier and more advanced.

And when you find yourself “useless”, and tired of the routine. Just remember that your existence itself has affected others, either positive and negative.

If you’re a university student who thinks that all you do is ‘only’ studying, having fun with friends and working a few hours to sustain your living. Well, you’re not “useless”. What you are currently doing is preparing for the future, you are still “mixing the ingredients” for success. When the time comes that you are recognised for your skills and expertise, you will be ready to help others and be useful. Networking and having friends itself is an act of kindness. Right now you exist to be a support for your friends, and exist to lighten their burdens and brighten their days.

When you’re a housewife who thinks that all you do is being stuck at home, raising your kids, and not doing any social works. Well, you’re not “useless”. You are shaping and educating your kids, who will play their roles in the future generation. Hopefully your efforts will result in a better generation. That’s the meaning of your existence.

You don’t need to be the richest person on earth to exist. You don’t need to be the most outspoken activist to bring a change. Through simple gestures and random acts of kindness, you will impart a tiny part of yourself in others. You will exist. Trust yourself, you may not see it because own self is the most critical, but rest assured that your existence matters for others. Do what you can, even if it’s just one smile. Who knows, that one smile may brighten someone’s day and help them through their depression. Even if it’s just sparing a couple of bucks from your coffee allowance, you may help the needy survive another day.

You exist, and you matter.

Okay, I am not making sense. Partly because it is almost midnight, and also 'cause, well, my 'lil peanut brain just can do any better at articulating. Laksmi's out.