What strategies do you use to increase comfort in your daily life?
The content reflects on the unpredictability of life, likening experiences to a roller coaster ride filled with joy, sorrow, and random twists. The author discusses how comfort and contentment are subjective, heavily influenced by individual thought processes and mental states rather than physical possessions. It highlights the detrimental effects of internal struggles, particularly within families, where emotional exploitation occurs. A case study of a woman suffering due to her partner’s obsessive behavior illustrates the theme. Ultimately, the text advocates for a shift in perspective, a positive attitude, and good deeds as keys to achieving a fulfilling and blissful life.
Closely watching people scream and yell at each curve as the roller coaster zoomed, he saw terror and exhilaration on the faces of those “enjoying” the ride. The cart would swiftly climb up and, soon after reaching the pinnacle of a curve, have a free fall. As it came down, riding ladies and gents yelled in utter terror. Their faces were turned pale, eyes wide with horror, and their bodies in a state of horripilation. Instantly, they would emit a hysterical yell as the train swiftly moved on the steep curves of the track. Watching their behaviour, he was amused. After taking a few circles, the roller coaster stopped, and relieved but still terror-stricken people gradually came to a halt, boasting about their “bravery” for not being horrified by its sudden twists and turns.
The show had ended. Another row of people was redied for the ride and “enjoy” the thrill. Those who had finished their “enjoyment” were talking to each other and sharing their experience. Some people were badly shaken while others laughed and talked loudly about their amusement during the ride.
He slowly moved ahead. His mind had started thinking about various things, and he equated a roller coaster ride with true life experiences. Life is unpredictable and uncertain, like the twists and turns of a roller coaster. More often than not, it does not give enough time to think and decide. The decision has to be taken on the spur of the moment. Life is a bundle of joy and sorrow, a saga of successes and failures, a journey towards its goal running on curvaceous tracks passing through beautiful campestral, crossing rivers, deserts, and nullahs. Interestingly, it does not repeat itself. Each passing moment becomes a part of history moments later after it happens. The people who enjoyed the ride moments earlier were talking about it in the past tense. Amazing!
One can’t always get good things. People long for a good life, and they scale “good” on a parameter set by themselves. Some lament that they did not get “enough money” and are obdurate about getting it more. The more they follow their wish, the more they want. They ostensibly follow a mirage that frustrates.
The term comfortable is relative. One can be satisfied and feel happy with what they have and try to enjoy the moment in the best possible way, but on the contrary, some are grumpy and they keep on grumbling about things that they do not have. Their emphasis is on what they did not get, not on what they have. The subjectivity of joy is evidently seen. In similar circumstances, one person can feel content while another does not. It is the preconceived notions that people chisel out in their psyche and strengthen by nourishing them.
There are several people, each of whom is different. Their lifestyle and mentality are different. They think and act differently. It is challenging to draw a uniform conclusion applicable to all. Different problems need different ways to solve them. Unlike pathogenic or carcinogenic diseases, which can be cured by proper treatment and medications, mental ailments have no definite causes. Their “pathogens” are not external but internal and abstract. It is their thought that needs to be tackled. A genuine ailment can be taken care of, but a will issue is difficult to tackle, if not impossible. Thus, feeling comfortable is heavily dependent upon the thought process, not only on the physical condition.
Despite having everything good and luxurious, one can’t be comfortable if one is in an agitated state of mind. Changing the perspective can help a lot, but it is not that easy. The crux is which aspect is gaining importance. The personal whim, inflated ego, mendacious attitude, and selfish motives are the greatest impediments in the way of prudent thinking. People with this attitude deliberately do nauseating things. They adhere to their obstinate behaviour and continue to hurt those who care for them. This behaviour is silent violence, which does not manifest itself outwardly but does great harm internally. The victim shatters. The personality of the victim distorts to such an extent that s/he appears as the offender. The torturer gains sympathy from people who are not party to the pantomime but are spectators. This is heinous. No one should be allowed to exploit a person. It should be considered akin to slavery, or even more heinous than that.
Mental exploitation and using the situation for self is commonly seen in groups, we know them as “family”. A group of closely related members whose filial bonds are common, “family” is often the main place of mental torture and exploitation. Ironically, it is severe in those cases who want to carry on their relationship despite hardships and unadjustable situations.
Suddenly his mind went to one of his female colleagues whose life had become worse than hell because of her partner’s will issue. He kept on developing a habit of excessive “cleanliness” to a level of obsession. His attitude separated them from the rest of the society and squeezed her to the extent that her happy-go-lucky nature vanished. Known for her lively nature, she gradually retreated into a shell and turned into an irritating individual. Can she feel comfortable, despite having so many physical possessions, as the couple was working and earned a handsome amount to run the family affair more than comfortably?
The lady in question did all that could be done to bring life back to normal, but her spouse had a will issue. He doesn’t want to mend his ways. Knowing full well that he was doing insane activities, he continued to stick to his foolish acts, making the house worse than a den and her life unbearable. Despite all hardships and irrational behaviour of her spouse, she tries to pull the relationship together. The worst part is that his husband perceived her as weak, incapable of going away. He didn’t bother about her mental trauma and never cared about her feelings.
She often did some creative work to divert her mind and comfort herself. She often goes to the nearby park and sits for long hours in the vicinity of Nature to heal her mind. It used to give her relief and a sense of comfort. Reading books and taking pictures also keep her engaged. She feels relieved and rejuvenated. With replenished vigour and energy, she starts afresh, leaving her nightmarish time behind.
A positive attitude and constructive thought process can do wonders. At times, these things can be bookish without practicality, but a deep cogitation reveals their usefulness. Life is a cyclical process, but for an individual, it is not. An individual has only one life to live. Some think otherwise. For them, human is born several times, and it is the cycle of birth and rebirth. It is, though, a misrepresentation.
One can take birth in any form, known as “Yoni,” which are 84 lakh (8.4 million) in number. It doesn’t seem possible because no one knows about life after death. Whatever is said or propounded about this is utopian, probably to put forth a possible explanation of life and “soul”. The soul, which is prominently figured in holy scriptures, is the powerful concept to explain the fleeting nature of the mundane and ephemeral world, rightly called a dream.
Thinking of birth and rebirth but ignoring the current is not a wise idea. Our primogenitors had rightly propounded the concept of the soul and rebirth. It teaches about the ultimate “Moksha” (Liberation). It occurs only when a person does good deeds as a human being and significantly contributes to the cause of humanity. They taught us that human life is more precious than anything else, which allows us to do worthwhile things to gain ultimate liberation from birth and rebirth and reach ultimate bliss (“Parmānanda” or Param Ānanda). The message is loud and clear, without a shadow of doubt. It should not be misconstrued and ought to be seen in its true spirit.
Live and let live has been the motto of our forefathers. They taught us ideal and practical things that can significantly change the quality of life. Life need not be long, but it must be prodigious. With a positive approach and creative inputs, it can be made blissful and comfortable.
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