The quest for the “coolest” thing often leads to disillusionment, as perfection is unattainable and subjective. Human experiences, whether joy or frustration, revolve around change and the pursuit of knowledge. True happiness lies not in acquisitions but in appreciating present moments and accepting life’s imperfections, fostering resilience and adaptability.

What’s the coolest thing you’ve ever found (and kept)?

Nothing. Not so far…

What is the coolest thing? In modern concepts, the coolest thing is something that is deeply significant to me—something or someone I love and never want to part with. It signifies a state of perfection that requires no changes and remains as it is. While this is a utopian idea, let us consider the possibility of achieving a perfect object that stays unchanged. Will it stay unchanged? If so, will a human not be changed? Will his attitude stay unchanged? If not, shouldn’t he be considered non-human? Moreover, can a living thing truly stay unaltered? These questions need answers and a deep cogitation.

The fundamental of life is change. It is one aspect which differentiates a living from a nonliving. A lifeless thing, say, for instance, a beautiful glittering well-cut diamond, has not the property of changing. It gives us joy, happiness and a sense of belonging, but then, it is not the feeling of a diamond. It is we, the humans, who feel attached to it. It is our attitude towards the diamond. Some do not get affected by it for various reasons. The crux is subjectivity. Even the most beautiful and charming objects do not attract some.

Even a perfect item, like the earlier mentioned diamond, has imperfections that are forgivable when the price is right. This exemplifies the nature of subjective valuation. The relentless pursuit of perfection can lead to restlessness or desperation when it eludes us. Our journey mirrors that of a vagabond, seemingly infinite. In seeking answers, we find ourselves ensnared in complexities, demanding greater effort to free ourselves.

When talking about a living being the mind instantly imagines a human figure. It is natural, not only because humans are special but also because humans have a brain and the power of reasoning. This makes them special and superior to all other higher animals of the kingdom. Humans can think and apply logic, differentiate between good and bad, and evaluate the pros and cons before reaching a decision.

A lesser mortal with a comparatively advanced brain but less than the human brain can also apply reason, have an analytical mind and can use things as a tool to carry out a task easily, comparison with humans would, thus, be inappropriate and unequal. The highest reasoning power and capacity to apply logic put humans at a different level. This is the reason why humans are not easily satisfied. They want more. It is this burning wish which propels them to excel. Humans ventured out on strenuous expeditions, scaled treacherous heights of precipitous mountains, and dived deep into the ocean and cosmos to quench their thirst for knowledge and curiosity, but have not succeeded in getting the “coolest” thing as per their parameter. Whatever they got was a half-truth which increases the appetite to delve for more precise and real. Humans thought and took the clue about its next link to tell a story.

The illusion gives a sense of contentment, though not fully. It becomes disastrous when shatters. Like a group of small pavonine soap bubbles that infuse happiness and a add dreamy ambience for a moment or two, illusion gives a chance to feel buoyant, momentarily though. Would it be good to have an illusion? Certainly not.

Is it possible to make a castle in the air? Certainly not. First and foremost, one will need a piece of land. Similarly, false things, facts or situations are misleading and do not give a long-lasting, if not permanent, satisfaction because of their fleeting nature. A concrete step and proper planning is needed to get the desired. After getting what one desires, still, it starts losing its sheen, and the person feels monotonous and factual. The excitement level quickly wanes. This is why people keep trying to do more and something new.

Imagine the excitement and thrill of a person who is getting married. The bride and bridegroom both have the same level of excitement. They plan their future course, do shopping, think about each other, and most importantly, moot a place to visit a romantic and secluded spot to spend quality time as their honeymoon destination. They enjoy the bliss and feel at the cloud nine. Soon after the phase passes, the surge starts fading and with time, it gets monotonous and repetitive. Differences, followed by commotion insidiously creep in. A mild argument starts becoming severe to intense and frequent. The love birds start becoming foes and meet occasionally in court to seek divorce. Was it the life they felt excited about? Should it be called the coolest thing?

It is like running behind a mirage. A thirsty individual who perceives water would naturally go for it but meeting with disappointment and frustration is shattering. So, what should be the way? It would be the proper understanding and application of logic. Still, despite doing the best, efforts don’t fruit as expected. In that case, one needs to be prudent and show eagerness to move on. If the solution is not possible, it is necessary to take another path. There are available options. What is needed is to choose the right one. Deciding about the right one is still more tricky. Here comes experience and prudence. Doesn’t it sound bookish? It is. Every individual is different, their problems are different. There is no foolproof and applies-to-all remedy for diverse and complex situations people pass through.

Can we say the perfect “cool” or “coolest” thing has been found? The answer would, in all probability, be negative. People are always in search of happiness and peace. It does not lie in physical acquisition or being in a relationship. It is our Soul that decides about a thing good, bad or neutral. We often ignore small moments of happiness to search for new and big. The thought of celebrating a “grand” occasion is alluring. It has to be remembered that our current is important, not the future or the past which are not in our hands. What is needed the most is to live now to its fullest with whatever frugal we have. It is contentious and uneven; the partner is arrogant and unyielding, but it must be accepted. It is because, as said above, another path is to be selected. Opting for this is not an easy choice, especially for those from a different school of thought. Once selected, there should not be going back. Ignoring negativity and resistance, one should adhere to what one has decided.

The quest for the “coolest” can often be fruitless. It’s akin to seeking an absolute that must align perfectly with my framework, disregarding my viewpoint. Those who seek perfection must also brace themselves for the possibility of rejection or criticism. One needs to be practical in approach. Nothing can be perfect; it should not be. It is the difference which adds variety to the life. The varieties pose challenges and meeting them successfully is the test of an individual.

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