The simple joys of life
I went to the mall today, like I generally do on Fridays as it is one of the rare getaways for students like me staying in hostels on the college campus.
While in the bus, listening to music on the way, I thought this trip would once again be one of those visits when I just pick up a few things from the department store, roam around a bit, have a bite at the food court and then roam a little more and then head back.
The visit went the way it always would ... until I went to the food court. I picked up a giant burger and a coke and headed for a table to sit and eat with my friends.
Halfway through my meal, I happened to look over my friend's shoulder and saw an elderly couple with a child. The boy might have been 7 or 8 years old. They could have been his parents but looked more like his grandparents to me.
They sat on one side of the table with the boy on the other having his meal and playing with the toy he had received with it.
The couple was either not hungry or they felt content just looking at the child playing.
I could see it in their eyes — the way they looked at the child, with such love and generosity, especially the lady whose eyes never wandered from the little boy's face – that he meant the world to them. The lady's eyes were so serene, so beautiful and so full of love for the young one.
Realisation
It was while looking at them that I once again realised what basic human feelings and emotions are and how we are moving beyond them in this ever so materialistic world that grows more mechanical every day.
Life has become so very mechanical and materialistic that we do things how machines would, following schedules and routines and depriving ourselves of the emotional satisfaction that in some ways is so very essential for a happy and healthy life.
We sometimes overlook friends standing next to us in shops, or sometimes forget things that have to be done other than those we are accustomed to doing. And sometimes we even forget to forget. We do things to derive instant pleasure that ends in a brief while.
Our lifestyles are so planned out and fixed that we give little time to ourselves as intellectual, emotional and social individuals.
Socialising is done for business or in situations when we need another person's help.
We may not feel this but our lifestyles are in some ways making us feel different from the way we should feel. For instance people may nowadays feel the thrill of a video game more than the warmth of a tight hug.
Smiles seem scarce, and frowns are everywhere.
We may be making great advances in science and technology but humanity seems to be losing its essence.
We need to spend time with our loved ones and sometimes go out of our way to do things that will make them feel special.
Also we need to bring slight changes in our routines. It could be anything from going for a swim to hiking on a weekend to escape the pressure at the office; or just reading comics if you are bored of reading research papers all the time.
That I think will help us realise the importance of living life and not just passing time or accumulating wealth 24/7.
Life is not simple, but being simple is a part of life for sure.
We must move out of our self-made cocoons and enjoy the numerous thrills and pleasures that life and nature have to offer.
Wishing you the best for the journey called life.
— The writer is a first year student of BITS-Pilani, Dubai.
