Is life a race for eternal growth?

If you’ve liked tech since the beginning It’s the best time to be in tech You get paid to do things which you enjoy and also learning more gives you scope to earn more Not a lot of population gets this as a choice

I wanted to quit this race and just live since I was in 2nd grade. Life as a race sucks. But detach from the race aspect of it.
Spend minimal amount of effort so that we earn the bread on our plate. Rest of the time, Find something fun everyday and spend it, that's what my motto is.

I have also learnt that some people are essentially happy as a baseline, irrespective of their situation. Wrong example but it's the only prominent one I recall, Bill Gates said in his interviews that he was always a happy person. I don't know if it comes naturally or can be developed by practice, but that is something I am aiming towards.

That’s why I recommend everyone to read Men’s searches for meaning by Viktore Frankl.

I think you’re right in identifying that we’ve been conditioned to chase eternal growth. We have one life and if we don’t find happiness in this, what’s the point of living it? But now that we are part of that chase, how do we stop? When do we stop? Why do we stop?

I have been living in a constant state of existential crisis for the past few years now (Okay yes, thats a bit exaggerated but still close to the truth)

Earlier when I used to have this discussion with myself, the only conclusion i used to reach was “Life is meaningless and doesn’t have any purpose”. Post that it would be just me feeling dreadful and helpless, and somehow going to sleep.

But recently, my discussions with myself went one step further, after reaching the conclusion that Life has no meaning, I came to the realisation that since nobody’s life has any meaning whatsoever, it implies that my life can have whatever meaning/purpose it needs to have. (Is that conclusion “correct”? I dont know)

Since then, I have to tried to do things that “give me the feeling” of having some purpose in life. So far, the only valid thing I have been able to come up with is helping other people. I donate somewhere between 10-20% of my monthly income to a local orphanage, and that has helped me sleep peacefully most nights and deal with the constant existential crisis (does that make the donation selfish? Maybe…)

Everyone has their own meaning of eternal growth, those in their student life find meaning in love, married wants more stability, those in their 50's wants their promotion, those in 60's wants spirituality.... Ek shayar ne kya khub kaha hai ki:- Shauk hota hai har umr me juda! Khilona, mashuka, rutba aur khuda..

A simple thing helped me pause

Focusing on my natural breath :)

Life isn't a race, we made it one. I have been trying to focus on not earning more but being content in whatever I have and it has taken away a lot of stress from my mind.

Declutter
Breath Do it consistently

You will feel a lot better

Cool! This is an interesting debate ☺️

Finding joy - Isn’t it relative? And identifying it is a long journey, atleast for a 25-27 yoe.

For example - There was a news that Anant Ambani is shifting from rolls royce to Land Rover. Some experts said, “It’s such a downgrade for him”. Definition of joy, I was trying to connect.

Wow our thoughts really concur. But salt you have been chasing grapes havent you 😂😂 jk

How do we find that thing that bring us the joy? Through out this rat race, we actually already forget!

Everyone following this race, because they want to feel entitled, the postion, the money, and the showoff that is offered with it.

Only people who can find peace are in Himalaya, or became monks. Otherwise, there will always be folks who’ll pin point you, “On what basis, are you saying this or that? You have been through this path? No?”

Hindi - “Khud kuch ukhada nhi hai, aur gyan bantne chalein hain”

We don’t want to feel cornered, and in equation we’ve to participate. Forget the peace!!

Our circle will judge you on the basis of what you’ve done, and what you’ve achieved. And only THE BIG achievements. Otherwise, you’re just another random Joe!