It's All About Perspective

I was heading to a cafe last night to meet some friends. On my way there I saw an interesting sight: A security guard outside and ATM was eating his dinner (I presume) facing the wall and covered by chairs on both sides. Perhaps so that nobody would see him eat and who likes to be stared at while eating in public? Just then a Mercedes passed by which probably cost more than 200 times this guys monthly salary. and I'm being optimistic.


My first reaction was to feel sad for him. But then I thought about it, and there was no reason for me to feel bad. Life is unfair. People are born with diseases they did nothing to deserve. People are born in poverty for no apparent reason. People are born with silver spoons, heck even gold spoons, just because. and I wasn't so lucky as a child but I am now.


Everything I need is right with me, and because my father worked hard. (Thanks to him of course). But I could still have more. I'm not greedy, not planning on being decadent. It's simple: The Watchman has Rupee 1. I have Rupees 100. Someone else has Rupees 1000. Why feel bad? If you want it work for it, and believe that you can have it. If you're lucky (and I dont mean in the lucky sense that destiny and all - if you have the presence of mind to take an opportunity and turn it into something real kind of luck) you will get it.


But it is our first instinct to feel bad for people worse off, but when things are in perspective - we are always worse off, or better off - in one way or another (emotionally, physically, mentally, or financially). That is an exceedingly negative stance to take and yes it's very pessimistic. We are of course better off counting our blessings and when we do get that opportunity, make the best of it and become better - emotionally, financially, or whatever.


Why be negative? Or perhaps it's not negative at all - It creates ambition and ambition makes you better. or maybe it doesnt. It's all about perspective.


Ps. How confusing was this? Writing a short post is so much harder than writing a long post. But let me know if this was too confusing I could write... a longer one?