Let's imagine a time
when industrialization was not present.
Industrialization is
termed to have started when steam engines came up which then started
automotive, industries and schools for the required skill.
Let's imagine the
world without schools, cars and industries.
When people used to
learn the skills from their parents of the vocation they used to do. Till that
time no schools were needed and a child would depend on his/her father to learn
the skill he knew. Hence the bond and respect was something we might have never
felt as well. Education is now about the most salary package giver .
When people had no
quick modes to reach anywhere they want and hence their near and dear ones ,
their society was everything for them. The bond was less like neighbors and
more like siblings. These days I don’t even know who lives next door.
When people used to
do everything for their own people since they knew just a few people and their
immediate family was just enough for them. Now, the youngsters today have
apprehensions when it comes to marriage and half of them cannot take the burden
of their old parents anymore.
When a person used
to have time for himself to introspect and time to relax. Not like today when
we want to leave the hustle bustle of city to find peace. When I have internet
and WhatsApp and Netflix to divert my mind from my problems rather than face them.
When everything in
nature was important. Sun and moon were the clocks for man, water and trees
were the food for them. Now like today when the news of extinction of animals,
cruelty to animals, global warming, meets for climate change always pops up on
TV.
When the status of
the person was more dependent on how compassionate and helpful he/she is. Not
like today when you need to maintain your hashtag lists and iPhone coming
in.
When the work in the
family was divided equally. If the person was a cloth weaver, the work would be
divided equally among the parents and children. The joint effort made them a
strong social unit. Now the male will go industry and does only "his"
work. Everybody comes in their shifts and hardly a social unit or joint family
effort is created.
When the full
nineteenth century was talking about the need of individualism and the freedom
of self and we ended up having nuclear families.
This is no
discussion about individualism and collectivism.
We know the world is
perfect only when everything is in balance. [Too much of anything , whether
individualism or collectivism is harmful]
When you and me are
at peace. When we are not in rush for work but have a leisure time to have a
cup of tea in the morning with your spouse. When we are not in "me"
mode and can selflessly help a colleague at work. When we don’t have targets to
meet and can have the pleasure to spend a full evening in a social function.
When I don’t have to think about my next day work and can sleep off after a
good meditation for self.
I firmly believe in
my four square theory. See your palm, and see the four corners. That is - Me,
My society, My careers and My family. All four squares are important and
necessary in life and should be in perfect balance.
Even as Buddhism
quotes, the real happiness is "compassion for others and peace for
us".
Well, different
things work for different people in finding the peace. I hope and wish that
everyone in this world find peace at his/her end.
What works for me is
on line from the happiest country in the World - "Happiness never
decreases by being shared".
Go and find what
works for you!