I had read an article about the Silicon Valley. And it touched me..it felt like that article was expressing what I'd been struggling to put into words.
It perfectly described the good things about Silicon Valley - how everything is easily available in the Silicon Valley, how people have great salaries, children get to attend the best schools and have all the latest gadgets and toys. There is also a lot of natural beauty in and around the Silicon Valley for people to enjoy - the weather is also great most of the time. But even after all this, mental health issues are on the rise among youngsters in the Bay area. People seem to be stressed a lot. People have become so involved with money, startups and the material world, that they've forgotten a lot of the human values of helping others, and caring for others. Most people work a lot and are stressed. And this had led to stress in the families.
It seems like new problems start when the basic struggle for food, clothing and housing ends.
I were having tea with a friend and discussing this article, when suddenly he asked..
"Do you know what is the difference between an animal and human?"
"The ability to think and reason and to learn and grow" I said.
"No! The main difference between an animal and human is that humans do not have a boundary. Animals are bound in boundaries that they cannot get out of. But humans do not have a boundary.
Once animals have their basic needs of food and sex fulfilled, then they're satisfied.
But that's not true with humans. With humans , once basic needs are satisfied, then the other issues of the mind come up. This is because humans are not satisfied with the basic needs of food, clothing, shelter and sex. They are looking for and need something more to be satisfied. And they can get whatever it is that they desire - if they can get out of their boundaries - out of their self imposed limits and beliefs.
They can create their own destiny. Anything that humans decide, they can achieve. But instead, most of the time, in ignorance, they create a boundary around themselves and around society. This restricts their thinking, their creativity and their world.
Most people don't think about what it is that would give them real satisfaction and happiness. What is it that they're looking for in life?
Why is it that they desire those things? Would it give them real happiness?
Real satisfaction only comes when one is thinking outside of the 'I'. As long as people are stuck in the me, myself and my needs ...then they'll not find the answers to bring real happiness since that lies outside this me and myself. Only when we think of how we can be useful to others and bring happiness to others, then we can find happiness and satisfaction for ourselves.
