the pursuit of happyness

Here's a little exercise for you. While you are here, or away, ask yourself a simple question. Yes, a simple question. Why do we do what we do. It could be anything.

Why do I like an olive green shirt? Why does there have to be peace in the world? Why should there be no wars? Why should I attain my current degree? Why should I keep my parents in good state? Why should biochemists/biologists look for a cure for cancer? Why should Hollywood churn out good movies? Why should I go for long drives? Why should I read the Bible or the Quran? Why should the Microsoft stocks be high? Why Govinda's movies? Why should I publish more papers? Why do I want them in high impact factor journals? Why should I renounce Islam and follow Hinduism? What do I gain if the politicians that rule my country are not incorrupt? Why should I vote? Why do I want festivals? Why should I endorse atheism? Why should I click a tack sharp photograph? How does it matter if Sachin Tendulkar is bigger than Brian Lara, scores 100 international centuries, or is conferred Bharat Ratna? Why do you gossip? Why do I want to be the way I am? Why don't I want to be the way I am?

I agree, the questions I mentioned are way too simplistic and generic to be taken seriously. But when you do this exercise ask yourself any profound question and possibly, one more question that follows the previous one logically. May be if not after one question, or the one follows that, or the one that follows that, or the one follows that. That is to say, along this chain of questions, you will know the answer if not in the first two-three links of the chain.

Like

Why should there be green/electric cars?
For environmental safety and assorted reasons.

Why should there be no pollution?
What rubbish!, for our health and for future generations' sake.

Why should the future generations be happy and what do *you* gain from it?

So on and so forth.

I want to be educated and rich.
Why?
It empowers me. I can spread my knowledge, feed the poor, among other things.
And?
I can give education to four needy ones.
Then? What happens when you see them prosper?

This virtually applies to any series of questions and any endeavor. Isn't the reason we do what we do (in a very obvious direct way, or a mind challengingly indirect way), our pursuits of happyness.


We all want to be happy. The root of anything. Some form or the other.

Then why do we indulge in so much shit?


Then why is it that we make our lives so complicated in between?!