Conscious Living – Part II

In this part, we discuss about the importance of making conscious choices.

“He has bought a mobile for 12,000, I must buy one which costs 15,000.”

“He drives a bike of 40k, I should get one costlier than that.” Or, “He owns a Honda Civic, I must get an Audi.”

“He bought a 2 bed room flat, I must buy a 3 bed room flat.”

“Did he say that he spent 2 lacs for his daughter’s marriage? I must spend at least 3 lacs.”

How many more such things we hear day in and day out? It is a never ending list.

Every day, we come across people who pride over their possessions such as car, house, etc. The funniest thing is that once they have it they feel they are on top of the world until they find one of their friends/relatives owning something better than what they have. Immediately they are filled with jealousy.

We have heard another type of statements as well: “Oh, this jewel is so simple. I expected you to give your daughter a diamond-studded one.” Comments made out of jealousy, intended to hurt others. Taking delight or rejoicing over another person’s limitations. The one who is making such a comment may not be capable of making even that simple jewel for his/her daughter.

Where will this competition end or the jealousy fade out? Will it go on until the graveyard? May be their children will carry the competition forward with “I got the best funeral service done for my dad/mom.” Or, “I spent xxx thousands for performing the last rites of my mom/dad.”

In doing all these, you are letting the needs of your lives to be dictated by others.
Friend, wake up. In doing things just to boast off before your friend or relative, you have lost your freedom.

Please resolve to stop these foolish competitions. Buy only the essentials. Start making conscious choices.

A highly educated relative of mine travels to work in a bicycle. Same I have seen with a friend of mine. They have enough confidence in themselves. They have understood that saying “No” to a car (even when you have enough money to buy 2 cars) requires more courage than driving a brand new car.

There is nothing great if a person rides a bicycle if has no money to buy a car or bike of his own. Greatness is only when you have the power to buy them and instead of displaying your wealth in buying cars and other things, you choose to remain simple and you choose to donate all the extra wealth for some noble cause.

Donate, but how? Without publicizing it. Without letting anybody know about it. What the right hand gives, the left hand should not know. You help others because you think it is your duty, and not for getting awards.

I bow my head to that rare species of men and women who have chosen to live consciously.

R. Padma