In my
childhood, I used to have a friend whose father worked at some other state for
15days a month and stayed at home the other 15days. At the age of 5, that was a
very big mystery for me…because my dad is with me everyday, why it is different
for her? Then later, I got one other friend whose father worked at some other
country and my friend has no idea when he will be home.
Very
puzzled, I desperately want the reason behind that. I asked my mom one day…
Amma…you
know my friend xyz, her dad stays at home only 15days a month it seems, and
that friend abc, his dad works in a foreign country and my poor friend don’t
even know when he will be back. But my dad is with me everyday, right…why is
this difference?
She
said…beta, your dad works in a school, which is his job. Same way, your
friend’s dad works in office at some other place, which is his job. We all have
to work to earn a living. Then I asked her why can’t he work here and stay with
them? My dad is earning that way only, so why can’t them?
My mom
said that they are working “for a better living”.
At that
age, my understanding of a better living is to get more toys, chocolates and so
many fancy dresses. But as a little girl, I used feel bad for my friends when
their dad couldn’t attend their birthday party or he couldn’t make it to our
annual day celebrations at school.
Later when
I grew up, I slowly started understanding what makes a better life. Of course,
todays world’s principle is very simple – more money, more happiness. But I
failed to understand - is this materialistic happiness is all?
I don’t
blame people going out to foreign lands for earning, I know it is so painful to
leave one’s family here and stay somewhere else all alone, just to work and
earn money, so that the family here stays happy. But is there an end for being
HAPPY this way? For a change, let us assume this way, why not work here, earn
less, stay with family, enjoy and live every moment…isn’t that being
HAPPY?
Everyone
have their own perception, end of the day we all are striving hard for a better
living…!! I wish that “better living” really exists. J
