I Refuse To Impress Others
And Live The Life That Makes Me Happy
Two days before I saw a man sleeping on the road. He had a sly smile on his face. He was well clothed, he didn’t look ill or weak but in fact, had a big tummy.
The man was probably drunk, had no shelter and no job but he was well fed and well rested. I felt jealous. Contrary to him, I had a decent job and shelter, but I hadn’t slept well since last week, I had skipped a few meals again this week and I hadn’t smiled for the last couple of days. I was always overworked and over-stressed thinking about the email that was delayed, the report that was due yesterday and the presentation that was scheduled tomorrow morning.
Ticking tasks on my To-Dos, reaching Inbox Zero, keeping the bosses and customers happy was usually the top priority on my mind.
“But why? Why was it so important to get things done on time?”, I thought to myself.
The only answer I could give myself was, “To receive an OUTSTANDING rating. My goal is to earn more money. If I get don’t get an ‘O’ rating, this year again I will get a 12% increment instead of 14%. That’s a 2% difference. And 2% compounded over 10 years is going to make a difference of 21%.”
Hmmm! 21% is a big sum of money. However, there is a cost. The cost of countless sleepless nights, hundreds of skipped meals and stress that is going to affect my relationships.
“Okay! But there’s no reward without the efforts. No pain no gain. Difficult roads often lead to beautiful destinations”. All these motivational quotes start flashing in my mind.
I was in dilemma. It was clear that I needed to bear the cost to get the rewards. But is the reward really worth the costs?
What could I do with the additional 21% money? I could buy a house that had a swimming pool. I could own a sedan instead of a hatchback. I could go to Europe for vacation instead of Southeast Asia. And I could also jump in when my friends/colleagues brag about the kinds of stuff they own. I would not be left behind.
Is it what this is about? The fear of being left behind. The fear of missing out. The race to the top. Was I ready to bear the cost of 10 years of unhappiness so that I would not have to hide my face in front of my acquaintances?
Is our life’s purpose today more about impressing OTHERS than OUR-SELF. What is the meaning of owning the best of stuffs if we are missing out on even one of water, food or sleep.
I refuse to be that person. I refuse to live in unhappiness to impress others. I refuse to be a part of that lifestyle obsession. And you should too.
I would like to close this rant with my favorite movie quote that fits well:-
We’re consumers. We are by-products of a lifestyle obsession. Murder, crime, poverty, these things don’t concern me. What concerns me are celebrity magazines, television with 500 channels, some guy’s name on my underwear. Rogaine, Viagra, Olestra. — Tyler Durden
Let’s not be that consumer!
