The Race to nowhere !

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 !!