In a world teeming with external stimuli, it's very easy to get swept up in a tidal wave of media messages, corporate targets, financial goals, or popular notions of how we should be living our lives.We're always pursuing someone else's idea of success and happiness - often regarded as good for us as well as simply because it's so widely-accepted.
When was the last time you allowed yourself to simply be yourself, to shut out the noise of the world, and just listen to inner voice?
Too many of us have lost the ability to reflect - to search inwards for answers. We look to other people and outside influences as if this imperfect world had the ability to miraculously improve our lives.
But after a time of chasing these ideals, we realise that we're not fulfilled after all. Sure, that image makeover may have earned you more friends and lovers, but a genuine relationship is still lacking. You're finally top dog in your company but your only real friend is the fawning Jack Russell at home. You've broken your bank account for that shiny new car, but your sales record remains lacklustre. And you keep getting your loved ones the best things money can buy, yet have hardly anything to say to each other.
One of the biggest traps in life is to work for money. Many people falsely assume that once they've amasses their wealth, once they've accumulated a certain amount of assets, then they will be happy. The truth is, if you can't be happy now, you won't be happy even when you have more money. In fact, money can even be a source of stress - fear of losing the wealth, and the constant desire of even more riches.
And instead of looking outward for revelations, try searching within yourself. The society you live in may expect you to be a certain way and do certain things, but is that what you really want? If you lived in a world where money, reputation, and other people didn't matter, how differently would you be living your life?
Make no mistake, you time is a perishable commodity, and the more you waste it on things that don't fulfill you, the more empty and regretful you'll feel.
So learn to respect your own opinions and feelings more. Meditate deeply about who you are and what you truly want out of life. By bringing more self-reflection into your life, you learn to rely less on external influences and make the choices that will being you true joy.
Eugine Loh, 938Live, MediaCorp Pte Ltd
