Big word! Huh?
But believe me, if it wasn’t related to all of us somewhere, I
would also not have been throwing it in front of you guys.
The word “Existentialism” in its abstract form is a philosophy that emphasises that human
beings are responsible for their actions in this irrational world and their
existence in this universe is unexplainable.
I know it sounds boring but it is not an ordinary
word as this particular adjective can suit every human in a sarcastic way.
I first read this word in my copy of Norman Lewis’s
book, about a year back. There it is written that the word “Existentialism” is
overused but under-understood. Also there was a warning that unless you have a
good reason for throwing it around, you should avoid it. Of course my stubborn
mind couldn’t move on from this warning easily and there I was googling about
existentialism more and more. Friends let me tell you, I am very simple girl on
usual days but God knows why I was doing so. But I assure it was definitely not
in accordance of using big words in front of friends to act cool. :P
Sometimes when I am alone and bored I think why
the hell I am doing what I do, why do I study, or why I go to college, why do I
speak to people or even wake up in morning? Does anything of above has some
point or am I pointlessly living? Yes, it is as silly as its sounds. (May be
more than that :P but I am sure I am not alone in thinking so.)
After googling I found out I am too late in
having such thoughts in this world as some philosophers of 19Th-20Th
century already shared their belief on the same, I genuinely felt happy and
grateful to Google ;) .
It was all a time pass until I got the idea that
in today’s world everyone is existentialist. Oh, you guys did not understand
why? Let me give an example.
Most certain characteristics that all
existentialists share are:
They believe life is very difficult (:P we all
think so) and that it does not have an “objective”(just like.. point kya h jine
ka ;) ). Their choices and values are primarily demonstrated in ACT, not in
WORDS. (True I guess for all.)
Nowadays we all are being so self centred that
we hardly can peep out of out Mobile Phones and speak a few kind words to
someone. Moreover our actions, comments, discrediting nature for others, lies,
ego etc demonstrate us better than our words. Yes, if this all or anything at
all suits you then my Friend! You are an existentialist of modern time.
I wonder why people of 19Th century
got this idea, as at that time humanity was still alive, people had each other
truly and motive of life could be a happy life with family. But sadly, our age
has forgotten everything. In this digitised world we forgot what it is to have
a person devoted to you and most sad part is we don’t even want that, all we
want is I phone in a hand and Floyd track in mind and rest world, we don’t
care. Friends, just give a thought, when was the last time you spent an entire
evening with family (by this I don’t mean texting in front of them whole
evening) or went for a walk with a true close friend? On the other hand think
how often you go to grab a pizza with a bunch of so called “Friends” whom you
can hardly trust with your secrets? Definitely if you take a ratio, it’s less
than one. You will not be an existentialist according to me if this ratio is at
least 3.
Today, every individual live for self, we don’t
even have time for our parents. In this race of growing up we are forgetting
that they are getting old. They pay lakhs of fees for us and expect us to
utilise that, but go to a mall and take a look around. What you will see is
young couples; friends just ruining their most important phase of life i.e.
youth in clubbing, dating, lying to parents, and chatting etc types of crap (excuse
me for the expression but it is true). I know I am nobody to judge, even I fall
in this category somewhere but my motive to write is a hope that at least
anyone of you could understand what I am trying to convey.
Also I am not referring particularly youth; take
an example of our families. Our family structure nowadays is mostly nuclear.
Some families who are jointly living have differences in them. Losing love for
our blood relations is also a type of losing objective of life. Take another
example of politicians or general public, there self imposed rules like no
social equality, no equal freedom for all genders, no religious neutrality etc
show their humanity touch has faded too.
These examples have covered everyone I guess, hence it shows we all are
Existentialists!
After concluding that I am also an existentialist
I thought of some solutions to separate out myself from the category. It makes
sense to me, hope you can find out a Lil bit of sense for yourself too.
Friends, Firstly stop living for others, live for
self but always value others. Respect, Friendship and Love in their true form
are very divine and precious. Be with people who are true to you. I know such
people are hard to find but believe me if someone fails you, you keep hope,
next time you will fail better and someday definitely you won’t fail. This someday
either you will have a true friend, true love or would have gained true respect
until then you have your true family (Very true line, trust me ;) ).
When
you will give time to this True Category of people and will say No to others, I
assure you these people will never let you fall apart and your aim in life will
never be void. It’s like choose the “True” and don’t be an existentialist ;)
I have written enough, so concluding it with a
quote of the person who was a leading figure in giving philosophy of
existentialism, Sir Jean-Paul Sartre:
“Life has no meaning a priori… It is up to you to give
it a meaning, and value is nothing but the meaning that you choose.”
