If you had to describe your ideal life, what would it look like?
An ideal life should have peace, satisfaction, health and happiness.
The text explores the concept of an “ideal life” through introspection by a character in a serene village setting. The narrative reflects on the transient nature of life and the subjective meaning of ideals, suggesting that what is considered ideal varies across individuals based on their circumstances and perspectives. It contrasts the simplistic life of a farmer with the affluent’s romanticised desire for rustic experiences. The commentary emphasizes that true happiness lies not in material possessions but in inner peace and satisfaction. Ultimately, emphasisesit advocates for a shift in perspective, encouraging a realistic approach to life rather than chasing unattainable ideals.
Table of contents
Key Takeaways
- The article explores the concept of an ideal life through introspection in a serene village setting.
- It contrasts the simple life of farmers with the affluent’s romanticized views on rustic experiences.
- True happiness lies in inner peace, not in material wealth, emphasizing a shift in perspective.
- Idealism is subjective; what is ‘ideal’ varies based on individual circumstances and perceptions.
- The article advocates for a realistic approach to life rather than chasing unattainable ideals.
The quiet ambiance
“Ideal life? What is it all about?” A voice reverberated around like an oracle. Startled, he looked around to find none. The ripples of the rivulet and a few hovering birds were all that were in the area of vision. He lifted his chin to scan a broad area. A lone boatman sitting in his canoe with a net in the river looked like a silhouetted figure against the rising sun. The boatman was probably singing while keeping a lookout for any movement in the water. The feeble voice of the song sung by the boatman seemed to be floating in the air and spreading around.
Beautiful morning
He cautiously looked around, as if trying to ascertain the absence of anyone. It was a serene, beautiful morning. There was a small temple at some distance from where he was standing. Occasional feeble tintinnabulation mixed with the singing boatman created a melodious symphony.
The village
It was a small village with green fields, clumps of trees, and a rivulet forming a boundary. The sun looked like a pretty crimson ball, gradually rising up. Its reflection in the rivulet looked beautiful. A few patches of cottony clouds drifted leisurely, making the scene look like a perfect picture card. Scanning through the whole ambience, he assured that no one was around, but he heard someone asking something. Finding no answer, he tried to console himself, “It might be my own consciousness that spoke loud enough heard to none but me.” He murmured to himself.
The question
“Whosoever spoke but it raised a pertinent question,” he started soliloquising. Thinking and speaking loudly, he began to peregrinate, walking up and down the riverbank. He was sure that no one was listening to him except himself. This is what he wanted as well.
Transient life
Looking at the flowing rivulet and its ripples, he said in a low whisper, “Life is like that.” After a brief lull, he said further, as if completing the sentence, “impermanent.” Thoughts gushed from all sides, agitating his mind like objects in a room shaken by the wave of strong winds coming in from opened broad windows. What is the ideal thing in life, and what should it be? People long for every good thing in life, without considering what good they give back to society. It is a two-way traffic on a four-lane road.
Idealism is a vogue
Talking about an ideal thing is a vogue. People seem habitual of garrulous boasting about themselves. They try to present themselves as a larger-than-life figure, ideal and perfect, conveniently ignoring the fact that human beings can never be ideal or perfect. They keep flogging a dead horse without giving it a thought and demean others for being “unacceptable”. It is a figment of imagination. God, incarnated in human form, behaves like a human being, commits mistakes, learns from them and progresses. This is how god teaches lessons and punishes people for their mistakes. (Britannica)
Subjective thing
Being ideal is subjective. It depends upon the thought process and mental bent. Anything can be good or bad depending upon the perception of the beholder and their exposure. A slight harsh word can be abuse for a modest person, while it is a casual remark or even a suffix which a ruffian uses.
Half-empty or half-full
A half-empty glass can give a positive message to an optimist who views it as half-filled. It can be an encouraging thing for him who would say that the half-filled glass can give some water to the thirsty, but an empty glass can be of no use. Yet another approach could be that the glass is never empty. Nothing can be absolutely empty. An empty glass appears empty, but in reality, it is not because air occupies the space. People see things with their approach, and every individual views things from their perspective, which makes things different.
Absolute
Definite things have an unchangeable appearance. A red rose is red for every person who may or may not like roses. So long as it is red, the opinion will remain the same. It is a hard fact and absolute, but at the same breath, it can also be said that not all roses are red, some can be pink or even black in colour. Nevertheless, the colour remains the same, not the size and beauty. A black rose is not beautiful to some, but for some, it is a novelty and good. They would like to keep it as a souvenir, and a few would like to plant it in their garden.
Ideal life
For most people, an ideal life could be easy, comfortable and without hassle. People of such disposition can’t bear even the smallest inconvenience and become desperate. The easy life comes from availability, power and resources. A resourceful person can get things done effortlessly. Human nature is like a flickering flame. Persistent luxury and comfort cause monotony, and people try to search for new things.
Poor vs rich
A poor farmer toils in fields to grow food grains. Selling the produce, the farmer gets money to fulfil necessary things. He eats simple and frugal food, lives in small houses in villages and faces hardships. The affluent want to “enjoy” and “feel” rustic life. To experience it, they go on a “village” arranged and planned by others for them. The rich “experience” the hardships of a villager in an arranged luxury “hut” with five-star amenities in a rustic ambience. They take a ride and roam in alleys, happily clap on visiting the small dwelling and “explore” their lives. It is an ideal thing for them.
“Experiencing” the village
A regular meal for a farmer becomes a luxury item when served in a star facility. The regular coarse grains (now termed as “Sri Anna”) are a happening food for the rich. A simple platter with flat bread made up of millet flour, vegetables, pickles, and an onion served in an open space gives them a “feeling” of village life. They shell out handsome money on this “experience”.
Livelihood vs amusement
As discussed above, the definition of “ideal” is thus subjective. For a poor farmer, it is a question of their livelihood, but at the same time, it is a matter for amusement for a few. Yet, a thing that is common is its shifting goalposts. It frequently changes according to time, space and the condition of a person.
Ideal things and humans
Ideal things for a human being are peace, satisfaction, health and happiness. Though these are not standard. The yardstick is different, hence the priorities. For some, happiness lies in material wealth, for some, on the other hand, it is satisfaction and feeling happy with what fulfils necessity. Those who try to search for “big” happiness often remain empty-handed. Happiness is a state of mind; it is abstract. Its values can’t be measured in physical possessions. Material things can please for a moment, but soon they die down. It’s like the sparkle of a sparkler, which has a momentary life.
Change in perspective
Aimless daydreaming and living in illusion give nothing but pain and sorrow. It is necessary not to shirk stark reality or any impediment; they should be faced head-on. It gives courage and moral strength to fight adversities. Impediments test the grit, perseverance and belligerence of a person. Ideally, it should be faced with courage, moral strength and determination. It helps in understanding and introspecting the strengths and weaknesses, making a strong and determined person who is absolute in reference to the person concerned. It goes without saying that subjectivity can’t be compared. An important thing is that changing perspective changes things. Wearing shoes is the best option to protect feet, not laying carpet all over the city.
Seek a new approach
Instead of complaining and grumbling, it would be ideal to change the angle of vision. Things don’t change; ideas and perceptions do. Instead of searching for an ideal, it would be better to seek a new approach. Biting off more than one can chew gives a problem. Complex problems can be solved by breaking it in small and manageable chunks. Searching for an imaginary ideal person is impossible. An ideal is something that is created by the human brain and hence is not perfect.
Instead of running behind a mirage and becoming frustrated, the ideal thing is to be realistic, believe in oneself, and be oneself.
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Kamal Kishore Srivastava
A retired government officer turned writer and photographer, Kamal Kishore Srivastava is a regular blogger and essayist who explores life’s deeper meanings through immersive reflections on nature, impermanence, and happiness. On his blog Nature’s Narrative, he blends philosophical storytelling with practical insights. Writing 1,200–1,500 words or more regularly, Kamal is committed to refining his craft, expanding his audience, and building a sustainable space where thought and feeling intersect.
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