Associations and Contemplations

Every so often, there comes a time in a man's life that he has to look inside of himself and ask that perennial question '' What am I doing ?''

In my case, I have been an active past participant within the inner circles of the corporate elite, the government, even the downtrodden and the deplorable and by association have been a participant to the revivement of my fair state, my alumni and my family throughout my life. 

St.Francis Association Melaka Meeting in SFA Clubhouse

Many a times have I seeked to understand the surroundings I've immersed myself  in to further understand the goals and ambition of the people around me and just when I thought I've got the first part covered,

I floundered again, because I was unable to convey what I knew to those who needed that information. 

So invariably, most times, I failed to make myself understood. The management guru Stephen Covey was right, to understand any problem, you must understand the needs of the people behind the problem.

Indian Entrepreneurs Melaka meeting in Straits Hotel

But barring all the problems, communicative errors and biases that I have encountered, the most glaring characteristic action within all these groupings that I have managed to see is the fact that they were all searching principally for a mode of  association and communication that would ultimately make them HAPPY.

We  associate and work for money. We want money to buy things. We buy things so that we can consume them. We consume things to be happy. When we are happy, we are successful. 

 Or is it the other way round? Thus, we think work is for success, which in our minds is equivalent to Happiness.

Some think they can get it through participation, having a cause so to speak, maybe lead an active social life, some through their monetary contribution or other charitable actions whereas others do so through the act of consolidation or choosing a side within a grouping to give moral strength and support.

But they all do so consistently in aid of their own search for a purpose hence their search for Happiness.

Ultimately, everyone is only looking for that piece of heaven they can cling to with hope and passion that will make their life seem worthwhile.

Which is why I stand out like a duck in a chicken farm socially because I get my sense of worth and thus happiness through understanding and comprehension of my mind and do not  feel i need to prove my happiness by amassing wealth (Big Car, House or Cash) nor have an active social life & friends to supplement my feeling of worth/being?

 I  fully understand that the King of Today can be the pauper of Tomorrow through the whims of Lady Luck or Karma but such is life that one will get his day of deliverance, no matter who or what he is.

I suspect many people understand this too, but they still get caught up with the glittering possibility of a better future (and possibly FUN) and thus lose sight of enjoying thoroughly what they have near them.

Some however do so because of a sense of lack of Time and this Fear asserts itself throughout their life compelling them to move like a mouse in a wheel. In their mind any activity is better than no activity.

I suspect there are many people out there like me who are satisfied with their current situation but are systematically over crossed by the clamoring noise and imagery of glamour and extravagance of those still in the Rat pack. 

The media and show of commercial extravagance that we see every day and night surrounding us makes us envious of those we see having more fun than we do. 

In our mind, someone else is having more fun than we are and this gives rise to the feelings of inadequacy and un fulfillment with our own meager surroundings and friends and life.

We need to STOP, BREATH and ACT out our fears within the confines of our own MIND. That is the place where every feeling of inadequacy, frustrations and fear originate from. We need to conquer our inner demons that persistently tell us that we are not doing enough. That we are not good enough.

You don’t have to do what you’re good at for a living. You may be good with numbers or words, but you do not necessarily have to use them for a living. The most powerful and important thing to use for a happy living is to be at peace in your heart.

How does one do that? 

Pursue any vocation with your heart. Do something that you’re relatively good at, something you enjoy, something that’s meaningful to you. Let that thing bring joy and fulfillment to your heart and you will then find peace and thus Happiness.

Sounds easy enough, doesn't it?

Most complex situations in life often have simple easy answers at their core.

You just have to want it and have faith that you too can achieve it.