Humans are fascinating. Each individual is a different story. Unique, different. Yet we share so many things in common as a species. We can be primal and simple, yet complex and sophisticated. Fascinating.
But of the various traits and qualities that makes us human, i would like to single out one for this particular blog post. A human trait that i just recently noticed after a certain conversation with my little brother.
The human tendency to 'OVERRATE ANOTHER'S HAPPINESS'. Where we seem to constantly believe that the 'GRASS IS INDEED GREENER ON THE OTHER SIDE'. But is it really?
First up, me and my brother were just having casual talk about how he's been doing in university. Studies, love life, and a few bulshits in between. Soon he was going on about how down he feels lately, that things are not really working out as planned. Being the typical middle son that he is, yeah, he does more than often get into trouble with parents, lecturers, friends, etc.
He goes on explaining to me that he doesn't get why some of his friends long to be in his position, that they assume he has everything in life going for him and would rather be in my brother's shoes at any given time. All the rave just because he scored straight A's for his PMR examinations. The assumption that my brother leads a life of priveledge and success has stuck ever since.
My brother however, understands the assumptions he is being subjected to though. He admits that even he would long to be in the position of a top scorer had he not done well for his examinations. In the end you'd never know how it is to be in another's shoes, but being human, i guess we naturally assume that being someone else (who appears to have more) will always be better than being plain old us.
If we could somehow switch the minds between two comparing individuals, to experience what the other has been through, i'm pretty sure both sides would agree that the grass on the other side is not as green as it initially seemed to be, once you are on the other side yourself! I mean yeah he scored higher in exams, sure she has the hottest boy friend, damn that dude is filthy rich, god that chick has a cool ride, man i want that lap top too, etc. But the people who have all that, are they without their own problems? by having all those earthly indulgences, do they feel an ultimate sense of satisfaction? Do they crave for no more in life because that's mission accomplished to them? Perfection achived? You know the answers yourself.
The reason why we see the person next to us sleeping in a bed of roses is because we put that image there ourselves while completely ignoring the hundreds and thousands of thorns that come with those flowers. Believe me when i say no matter how priveledged a person's life seems to be, it's actually no different than what we go through everyday. Though the scale might differ in the sense that a seemingly better life has it's own equal and opposite reaction, the reality maintains that not a single life is PERFECT.
So the question now is why? Why do humans persistently lock themselves in the illusion that the grass is always greener on the other side? My humble theory is that by assuming our colleague is having it better, jealousy starts fueling our engine of competitiveness, thus motivating us to strive for an improved condition of life. This ultimately ensures the progression and continuity of our growth as a species!
....or we could just be thankful with what we have while trying our best to be the best we can in life, to gracefully accept whatever outcome God has in store for us after all our efforts and deeds? ....nah, who does that these days right?
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