Of Roots and Wings
People migrate from place to place in search of good life. They seek better employment opportunities, more opulent houses and what not, and thus go from Goa to Delhi to Washington.
In my opinion, if you want a good life, stay in one place. Take roots. That gives you a chance to cultivate people. Building networks and staying with them is perhaps more important than just running where the money takes you. Ten years down the line, you suddenly discover that your bench-mate in school has now become a police inspector; that girl who always lended you notes has become a teacher, and the conductor of that bus you take to office every day is none other than that back-bencher who pretended to be the cool dude of the class.
Moving places prevents you from strengthening these networks. One might say Whatsapp and social media help maintain friendships. True, but they do not strengthen them. Nothing equals the joy of pouring out your mind after the day’s work to that old friend who has been by your side for ten years. And the satisfaction of actually sharing the load of repairing the house with your father , and watching the pride and relief in his eyes matters a lot more than sending him lots of money and an “I am there for you” message on Whatsapp from some faraway metro city.
Sharing our joy and sorrow gives us strength, and when we have deep connections and understanding built over long years, these networks help share and solve our problems quicker, and give us a happier life in the long run. Also, when you stay at one place, you do not have to waste time learning about the culture and society of the place. There are no shocks. You can concentrate on things that really matter. Absence of culture shocks helps save tremendous mental and physical strength, and old and strong networks, as I said before help one rejuvenate quickly after setbacks.
Staying in one place may not get you the fast life or the über life, but it gives you a sound life that develops and blossoms at a slow and steady pace, like a beautiful flowering plant.
In my opinion, if you want a good life, stay in one place. Take roots. That gives you a chance to cultivate people. Building networks and staying with them is perhaps more important than just running where the money takes you. Ten years down the line, you suddenly discover that your bench-mate in school has now become a police inspector; that girl who always lended you notes has become a teacher, and the conductor of that bus you take to office every day is none other than that back-bencher who pretended to be the cool dude of the class.
Moving places prevents you from strengthening these networks. One might say Whatsapp and social media help maintain friendships. True, but they do not strengthen them. Nothing equals the joy of pouring out your mind after the day’s work to that old friend who has been by your side for ten years. And the satisfaction of actually sharing the load of repairing the house with your father , and watching the pride and relief in his eyes matters a lot more than sending him lots of money and an “I am there for you” message on Whatsapp from some faraway metro city.
Sharing our joy and sorrow gives us strength, and when we have deep connections and understanding built over long years, these networks help share and solve our problems quicker, and give us a happier life in the long run. Also, when you stay at one place, you do not have to waste time learning about the culture and society of the place. There are no shocks. You can concentrate on things that really matter. Absence of culture shocks helps save tremendous mental and physical strength, and old and strong networks, as I said before help one rejuvenate quickly after setbacks.
Staying in one place may not get you the fast life or the über life, but it gives you a sound life that develops and blossoms at a slow and steady pace, like a beautiful flowering plant.
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