Yes, the question is as old as life itself. What is our purpose here on earth?
Are we here to procreate and continue the genetic evolution?
Are we here to destroy earth eventually so that one day the planet self-destructs and life starts all over again, as part of a much bigger plan?
Are we here to live, die and be born again as part of Hindu philosophy, so as to continue in that cycle until we achieve nirvana?
This question raises more questions…
However, I feel I have part-insight into it.
We are here.. for our loved ones.
A few days ago, a very close family friend of ours passed away. He was only 33 years old. Lived in the States, but moved to India late 2004 to start a business with his friend. He lived in Delhi and the business was taking off! But he had a major drinking problem. And after several trips to the hospital, the last one didn’t see him through. He had a heart attack, and while he was recovering, he pulled the plug on the ventilator in discomfort, which put him into a massive cardiac arrest. He never recovered from that.
Now he’s had a great life, and lived the way he wanted to live. I truly admire that.
But what I keep wondering is – what keeps us from pulling the plug? I’m sure all of us at some point or the other wanted to.. If we got bad grades when we were in school and didn’t have the courage to face our parents, or if we can’t be with the one we love, or if your company is on the verge of bankrupcy and you have debts to pay, if you’re going to be arrested for something and can’t face the shame… Yes, everyone’s had their share of reasons but why doesn’t everyone pull the plug?
Is it because they have courage to face these problems? I don’t think so.
It is because they love their loved ones too much to do this to them. They can’t leave these problems on the people they love more than anything else. It is THESE people that are our courage.
The worst part about death is when it happens to someone you love dearly. That pain is too much to bear. Can you put the ones you love through that pain? Can you actually on your own accord hurt your parents? Or your brother or sister? See.. That’s why people chose to live – because they don’t wish to put the ones they love through the mental and emotional trauma, that insane pain that one would go through.
So a little word out there for anyone wishing to pull the plug – take out a family photo – and if you can pull the plug on each one of those people, only then think about it. But I doubt you will. No one should be able to do that.
Therefore, when you drive rashly, drink or smoke heavily, just think – you’re pulling the plug surely, just like our family friend. After all, it was this that put him in hospital. But he left two parents and a brother devasted..
Do you think you’re ready for that too? Take a look at your family photo and think again.
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NOTE: I don’t drink, smoke, do drugs etc. Never have and hopefully never will. But that doesn’t mean I’m against it. I feel everyone should try somethings in life. However, one should be strong enough to decide against it as well. If one has that will power, go ahead. Problem is not many people do, and in the process indulge themselves and get addicted. They NEED these things. If one can drink within limits, much like the French and Italians, its actually good for you.