Pseudo Living

So, I have been observing this trend in human behavior for quite some time now. It is coming repeatedly on my face and somewhere made me think about it. Hence, I decided to talk about it, though it might look like off track or not go well with few, but I am initiating any which way.

This ‘new way’ of living, which is kind of exhausting and debilitating, where we are ‘trying’ to be nice almost all the time, on virtual platform, of course! Where we are always driven by the need to ‘show up’, where we are putting ‘unsuccessful’ effort to fit in, where we cannot afford to have any vulnerabilities, any flip or not so beautiful side of us!

Especially, from the time this pandemic has started, a kind of desperation is visible on virtual platform, social media, we all are feeling this need of giving some gyaan, share something or else. Most of the time, with a disclaimer either highlighted or veiled that it is all for a good cause, with a purpose to give back, or just an intention to share; and it seems all good!

No problem at all in that!

But here the question arises…

Are we all really what we ‘display’ ourselves to be on virtual world? Yes, it is a display of pseudo-self! Is the purpose here only of giving?

Or, We wish to do good so that we can tell others about it? We talk about principles, standards and ethics, so that we can make our presence felt? We want knowledge to show others that we have knowledge?

It is amusing how we all wants to optimize on this time.

But, have we ever taken a pause and think if our action can also have any adverse impact on someone- especially to those who are already emotionally vulnerable, susceptible and unstable during this time and lockdown?

Those ‘ignorant’ lot who are not able to contribute to this rat race or not able to take advantage of all these gyaan available, they end up feeling themselves as worthless, duds who are missing on to life, lacking something really major…and all of these are creating major exhaustion, self- doubt and a fear of missing out!

Sensitivity, empathy, genuineness and intelligence are being measured on the face value, on how much one can blow his/ her own horn and get the validation.

On the other hand, the fair amount of knowledge that we have acquired to show others, are making us full of ourselves. Ok, nothing bad in this but isn’t this limited knowledge unknowingly making us braggers, making us forget humility and taking us off the ground.

Are we literally living this – “Do dikhta hai, wo bikta hai”

Isn’t it true that Knowledge speaks of itself, one doesn’t need to flash it!

Another trend which is not exactly new but is certainly becoming riskier, at least for some people, wherein everyone on the social platform seems to be highly proactive, sensitive, and, attuned to others’ emotions. Where it has become a necessity to like, respond, and revert on each and every message comes across, else you ought to be labelled as one rude, insensitive, and un-empathetic soul, who would be brutally isolated and ignored.

Are humanities, genuineness, sensitivities going to be counted and dependent on these trends?

Do we follow the same rule-book, have the same mindset when it comes to our loved ones and the people we are living with? Do we feel the need to be available to them emotionally? Do we care to spend the same amount of ‘quality’ time, we spend virtually with people? Do we listen and respond to everything they say or don’t say, the way we do on virtual platform? We want to spend time with people virtually, are we able to see if someone, living with us, also need our time the same way?

What are we trying to prove? Why and what is this need of living a Pseudo Life?

Aren’t these getting bit dangerous for us, the human beings?

Are we living a genuine and honest life when we measure us and our worth against our social media presence, against the number of likes and responses we receive?

Where is it taking us? Are we starting to value us based on these virtual terms?

Now, let us also look at the other side of it and try to dig a bit deeper…

If someone does all of it plainly for business purpose, promotion and branding…fair enough, rather perfect!

We have all the reasons and rights to do so, we have to earn our bread and butter and in current scenario, the major part of our bread and butter are going to come from here.

But is it helpful or constructive when we end up doing all of it in the disguise of giving, sharing and being ‘very’ nice…wherein somewhere we end up making others feel incompetent or doubt their own integrity or genuineness as good human being?

And, does reading few books or acquiring some knowledge make one highly intellectual or accomplished? May be the next person, I am dealing with, is a highly accomplished one, who has much more to give than I can even imagine and he is also doing his bit even without letting anyone know.

We live in a society and it becomes kind of our responsibility to also think about the well- being of fellow human beings.

Won’t it be ok, rather absolutely fine, if we come out of this current phase simply a little more emotionally resilient, genuine and loving human being but without any new skills or deep realization?

Can we stop it from becoming a competitive dangerous game? A rat race?

Can we stop an imposed, Pseudo Living?

We need to understand that each individual has the capacity and tendency to become a fully functional human being which is intrinsic, happens through self- growth. We wish change and that happens internally.

Wish to end this with quote of Sri Ramana Maharshi– Silence is the language of the Self and the most perfect teaching.

Disclaimer: the ‘sole’ purpose of this article is not to ‘sale’ the writer!