Recently in an interview, I was asked, "what is my take on the 'purpose of life'!" And the great turmoil which has encroached me forever, like a cricket buzzing constantly in the helm of night, dawn upon me. It all started with a simple question of how i pass my time! And the boastful me started throwing the name of book after book to accomplish the doubt, that I am a well read men. But the result was disastrous when they asked me the above said question. I for once, was not going to give up so easily. So, I sat there thinking where to start. I might have taken a little more time than usual because in the meanwhile, he clarified on his asking this type of question, "since you have read a great lot many good books". And there I was still thinking where to start and how.
Finally, when the silence became unbearable, I started answering somewhat magnanimously, "From the dawn of time, this question has been of some interest to men. And time again they have quarreled over it. So it is insurmountable a question to be answered correctly. But in a politically correct way, I can surely say that I too have thought about it and according to me each life form on this planet has a different reason to live. And in a singular fashion, they cannot be clubbed." And that was the end of general questions. The interviewers took a 90 degree turn, faced each other and I knew I was doomed. I knew their next question and it was a matter of time for me to be prepared for it. The lady opposite to me asked to please elaborate.
I started with the religious point of view. To complete each sentence and each thought to be associated with the religious deity and His will is not what i find suitable. Though I am not an atheist, more of an agnostician. Still, I always find religion associated with fear. The origin is fear, the worship is fear, the superstition we follow is due to fear. So, to fulfill someone's desire is not our purpose of life. We ought to be clear on that. The talk was going too flashy and philosophical, so, it was time to narrow down to MY purpose of life.
I, in the course of life, has met many people. And in these meetings, I sometimes inspire from them and other times dissuade them. But all these years, no single person has been of a role model to me. No singular person is out there, that I would like to become like him. So, I ask myself, "Is there anything wrong in me? Why can't I just find a decent purpose and sail with the wind?" This confusing state has created a hole in my mind and for past sometime, every hour and every minute I have asked me with the possibilities of future I can associate me.
And here are all the details. I would like to be rich. Rich, so that I can never compare prices online before selecting, rich, so that I can just go sailing, if my mood says so, not worrying about job. I am not asking for richy rich type of rich. I do not want a jet. Just as much rich as necessary. I wish to create something. A product, could be anything, so that my name could be associated with that. I want to write a book. I want to explore places before it is too late and my knees give away. I have always been workaholic but I want that kind of work where I can take off for a month and do some other stuff. I want to help needy. I have, in the past, done with my capacity, when I was earning. I would like to do the same again. Here is everything, that I aspire for. It is not much and in an average working life, can be easily incorporated. So, my purpose of life is that simple.
Each and everyday I see people, running to catch train, running to stay ahead, frightened to do things, taking shortcuts to achieve something, and I ask me whether I want this, and I say NO. My purpose is simple. My needs are less. Although people can negate this by saying I have lack of passion. But, on the contrary, If I wish to see my purpose of life fruitful, I had to be passionate, I had to work harder. And in the end, what matters is that I will work hard to achieve my purpose. And I will succeed because I am not over zealous. Time and again, I have seen people running after money. But what really counts is the satisfaction that we see- in a cow grazing, satisfaction is when a mother after a hefty morning schedule, drops off her kids to the bus and smiles in response of job well done. Satisfaction is when you see your kids playing in your garden on a sunday afternoon, satisfaction is when a farmer looks to the sky on the first rain.
A person can be a good CEO, a person can be as rich as a nation. But for me, that satisfaction is way more important than these things.Because, one I do not believe in afterlife. for me, this life is all you've got, so live this fully. Two, after you are gone, nobody will give a damn about you. Third, Even If someone gives a damn about you, you will never get to know. So, to sum up, live your life according to your terms. What is the use of this type of life, if you do not have time for that satisfaction.
And thus the interview ended. But like each interview, I learned a great lot about me on that day. For my part, I was clear. I have a set of purposes that I wish to fulfill in my life. For those purposes, in the coming years, I wish to prepare myself accordingly (personally and professionally) and also to find a suitable job that may fulfill my requirements (in terms of interest and profession).
And in the end I told them, "But to answer your question, I still do not have any generalize answer about the purpose of life for each and everyone." And the 50-year old man just waved his hand fervently and answered,"That you will not get, even when you turn into my age. But the fact that you are clear in your head is what matters now, is what matters in the end."
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Finally, when the silence became unbearable, I started answering somewhat magnanimously, "From the dawn of time, this question has been of some interest to men. And time again they have quarreled over it. So it is insurmountable a question to be answered correctly. But in a politically correct way, I can surely say that I too have thought about it and according to me each life form on this planet has a different reason to live. And in a singular fashion, they cannot be clubbed." And that was the end of general questions. The interviewers took a 90 degree turn, faced each other and I knew I was doomed. I knew their next question and it was a matter of time for me to be prepared for it. The lady opposite to me asked to please elaborate.
I started with the religious point of view. To complete each sentence and each thought to be associated with the religious deity and His will is not what i find suitable. Though I am not an atheist, more of an agnostician. Still, I always find religion associated with fear. The origin is fear, the worship is fear, the superstition we follow is due to fear. So, to fulfill someone's desire is not our purpose of life. We ought to be clear on that. The talk was going too flashy and philosophical, so, it was time to narrow down to MY purpose of life.
I, in the course of life, has met many people. And in these meetings, I sometimes inspire from them and other times dissuade them. But all these years, no single person has been of a role model to me. No singular person is out there, that I would like to become like him. So, I ask myself, "Is there anything wrong in me? Why can't I just find a decent purpose and sail with the wind?" This confusing state has created a hole in my mind and for past sometime, every hour and every minute I have asked me with the possibilities of future I can associate me.
And here are all the details. I would like to be rich. Rich, so that I can never compare prices online before selecting, rich, so that I can just go sailing, if my mood says so, not worrying about job. I am not asking for richy rich type of rich. I do not want a jet. Just as much rich as necessary. I wish to create something. A product, could be anything, so that my name could be associated with that. I want to write a book. I want to explore places before it is too late and my knees give away. I have always been workaholic but I want that kind of work where I can take off for a month and do some other stuff. I want to help needy. I have, in the past, done with my capacity, when I was earning. I would like to do the same again. Here is everything, that I aspire for. It is not much and in an average working life, can be easily incorporated. So, my purpose of life is that simple.
Each and everyday I see people, running to catch train, running to stay ahead, frightened to do things, taking shortcuts to achieve something, and I ask me whether I want this, and I say NO. My purpose is simple. My needs are less. Although people can negate this by saying I have lack of passion. But, on the contrary, If I wish to see my purpose of life fruitful, I had to be passionate, I had to work harder. And in the end, what matters is that I will work hard to achieve my purpose. And I will succeed because I am not over zealous. Time and again, I have seen people running after money. But what really counts is the satisfaction that we see- in a cow grazing, satisfaction is when a mother after a hefty morning schedule, drops off her kids to the bus and smiles in response of job well done. Satisfaction is when you see your kids playing in your garden on a sunday afternoon, satisfaction is when a farmer looks to the sky on the first rain.
A person can be a good CEO, a person can be as rich as a nation. But for me, that satisfaction is way more important than these things.Because, one I do not believe in afterlife. for me, this life is all you've got, so live this fully. Two, after you are gone, nobody will give a damn about you. Third, Even If someone gives a damn about you, you will never get to know. So, to sum up, live your life according to your terms. What is the use of this type of life, if you do not have time for that satisfaction.
And thus the interview ended. But like each interview, I learned a great lot about me on that day. For my part, I was clear. I have a set of purposes that I wish to fulfill in my life. For those purposes, in the coming years, I wish to prepare myself accordingly (personally and professionally) and also to find a suitable job that may fulfill my requirements (in terms of interest and profession).
And in the end I told them, "But to answer your question, I still do not have any generalize answer about the purpose of life for each and everyone." And the 50-year old man just waved his hand fervently and answered,"That you will not get, even when you turn into my age. But the fact that you are clear in your head is what matters now, is what matters in the end."
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