The world has changed over
the years. Many good things happened and there are so many technological
advancements which help us daily. However, the speed of change is so rapid that
we will soon feel exhausted and drained-out. This note may sound negative – but
the intent and purpose is to help find positive for each of us by understanding
the realities and then acting on it – rather than delaying the acceptance of
realities! Whats happening to each of the stakeholders:
Individual – more and more of me and myself
is taking over the feelings and care for others. Either there is sense of fear
or greed or dissatisfaction – leading to lack of contentment and higher levels
of stress and poor health (both physical and mental). Lots of emphasis is on
highlighting self and I. The time for self is taken over by social media. Right
from child-hood the focus is to chase something and follow a Race (the race of
everyone but not for an individual). Inspite of so much social media - loneliness is the biggest problem for people in the world.
Family – the connect in the families
are weakening and increasingly moving towards sharing of meaningless Whatsapp
messages and glorifying self and missing the connections with others. The
warmth of simple life pleasures is taken over by parties where liquor flows and
there are hardly any true feelings shared. Even on kids birthday parties- focus
is on liquor. The true love is slowing fading away. The simple games of Ludo,
Cards played among family members are a gone history. The materialistic society
is defining the social values. So many children we meet have fear of education,
fear of missing the race and this is all starting from homes; where this fear
is compounded regularly by parents and “so called well-wishers”
Community – The community of “development”
is more concerned with comparing materialistic items than a desire to build a
community where each one will help others and is happy with success of other.
Jealousy has taken over the camaraderie. The celebrations as a community are
taken over by Diwali melas and Holi melas
- where the focus is to buy and sell and again liquor flows
meaninglessly. There are 1000s of friends (and people boast about that on
Facebook or even Linkedin) – whereas the “True friends” have become a rare
commodity. People who understand you and whom you understand well. The greed
and fear is so much prevalent that it is dividing the people and their
acceptability. The celebrations and moments of grief are like a formality to
complete and move ahead. Everyone seems to be running and hardly anyone knows,
where to! I met so many people who have done great and I ask them how did you
celebrate and in real sense celebrations are also hurried. The connection with
self and with others is getting lost.
Our
feelings and appreciations are taken over by emoticons than true feeling
expressed in person. The power of hug and expressions are largely through
messages and forwarded messages. The height of this is seen when people will send "forwarded messages" on your birthday or new year or festivals.
Regional Societies – The societies are becoming
congregation of these communities where there is no mutual trust, respect or
love. The disconnect is based on languages, caste, religion and affiliations.
We are not able to appreciate that diversity can teach us so much. The key
stakeholders of the societies are not driving positive connections but trying
to create a divide among people.
National – as a nation; we do not work on
building love and trust and respect among people. There is a desire to prove
that I am better than you – rather than “we can be better together”. The
biggest skill lacking being Empathy. Being together we can make a huge
difference to the nation and everyone. The basic survival is the key challenge
currently. The ever increasing population, pollution and problems of basic
needs are future challenges.
Global – surprisingly the world is
becoming much more diverse with more discussion about spirituality and Gandhi
and meditation in western world. There are nations who will always create divide
among others as they wish to fulfill their greed or power needs.
So
can you avoid this change?? – NO you can not. But you can make a change starting with self and then your families and then to communities and nation. Identify
your own realities; your own journey; your strengths as a family; your desire
to make a positive environment where there is no fear. Nothing is going to fall if you take-out one hour
every day for self and few hours for family (probably some sacrifices in social
media may help). Celebrate small moments and cherish them for a longer duration. Make a difference to someone (no one ever becomes poor by sharing). Happiness is in your hands.
If
you don’t believe in Power of Magic – Just try it fully (without doubting) for
1-2 months and see the magic happening !
You
can take your own sail and navigate your own ships – rather than being
navigated !!
