So What’s Next?

Do you remember the time when you just graduated from school and couldn’t wait to get yourself a job and receive your first pay cheque? Remember the first thing you went out to buy? What drive we had during those days! The future’s so bright for us, and we had the whole world to conquer with our talents, skills and dreams.

I remembered the mindless pursuit of status symbols during those chaotic times. We were in such a hurry to grow up and become successful (in the eyes of our peers) working adults who hung out in pubs with cool and glamourous friends, clutching our Gucci handbags, wearing the trendiest working suits and flashing our shiny, new credit cards.

And when our careers were stable, we looked forward to finding the perfect mate. Preferably one with the 5 Cs, for the gals, that is. What did the young dudes yearn for in those days? A gorgeous babe with a cute ass, humungous boobs that’ll suffocate them and let them die happy, and legs that go on forever? Hey…. aren’t those what the same dudes are still pinning for now? Ahh…The male species can be such simple-minded cavemen even in the Information Age of the 21st century. But isn’t that what we love about them?

So moving along, when we’ve finally snagged that very eligible, or for some, the only available mate who’s not freaky, the big ‘M’ would be next on our agenda. (I’ve only recently discovered that the big ‘M’ means ‘Marriage’ to many people these days.)

A friend of mine who finally tied the knot after being unattached for about 8 years (no, the bicep on one of his arm wasn’t bigger than the other) told me that his life is finally in order. Everything has been right on schedule. His career is right on track, he’s got a beautiful home of his own, his first, new car, and finally, an ideal wife to enjoy all these with.

So is this really what we are all here for? To chase after a lifestyle based on what the society has conformed us to do?

Perhaps religion can give us some clue as to what we could possibly be here for.

Buddhism
The 4 Noble Truths:-
1. Life is suffering;
2. Suffering is due to attachment;
3. Attachment can be overcome;
4. There is a path for accomplishing this.
Nirvana overcomes attachment which is the letting go of clinging, hatred, and ignorance, and the full acceptance of imperfection, impermanence, and interconnectedness.
- http://www.ship.edu/%7Ecgboeree/buddhawise.html

Islam
The way of life for those who believe in God and want to live a life in worship and obedience to none but God. The reward is forgiveness from God and an everlasting life in the Heaven.
- http://www.islam101.com/theology/index.htm

Hinduism
The three goals of the "pravritti," those who are in the world, are:
1. dharma: righteousness in their religious life. This is the most important of the three.
2. artha: success in their economic life; material prosperity.
3. kama: gratification of the senses; pleasure; sensual, sexual, and mental enjoyment.
- http://www.religioustolerance.org/hinduism2.htm

Christianity
He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.
- The Bible

Alrighty…. I finally understand why Indian men are always so smooth with the women.

So apart from that, the essence of most religions’ teachings is to do good so that we can hopefully reincarnate to a better life or go to heaven. I guess social workers and volunteers of the world have got themselves a better deal in the after-life game while the rest of us are doomed?

I refuse to believe this. David Niven, author of The 100 Simple Secrets of Happy People: What Scientists Have Learned and How You Can Use It doesn’t believe it too. In his book, he’s stated that we are not here just to fill a space. Nothing would be the same if we did not exist because every place we have ever been and everyone we have ever spoken to would be different without each and every one of us. We are all connected, and we are all affected by the decisions and even the existence of those around us.

So if we’re here to affect the lives of the people we come in contact with, could there possibly be a purpose for our existence? What is the purpose for our existence then? A child would probably be able to tell you that he/she wants to be a doctor who saves lives, a police officer who fights crime or perhaps a teacher who moulds the future leaders. This proves that even as children, we wanted to make a difference in this world. But as we became adults, sensibility, pressure and responsibility have held us back. So does this mean that our only purpose in life is to give ourselves and loved ones a comfortable life, not create enemies and hope that we will be more than just a memory after we die?

In David Niven’s book, studies of older people have found that one of the best predictors of happiness is whether a person considers his/her life to have a purpose. Without a clearly defined purpose, seven in ten individuals feel unsettled about their lives. With a purpose, almost seven in ten feel satisfied.

I personally don’t think that we need to have a purpose in life that requires us to do the big things like becoming Mother Theresa the second, Singapore’s first female president or Singapore’s first sex guru (though from the looks of the Durex survey, we’re possibly the last country to produce a sex expert). I believe in being one of the many little people in this vast world of ours. One of those little people who does the little things that can ultimately make this whole world a better place to live in. So with that in mind, I will go on with life looking out for opportunities to be that little person who can indirectly make a difference.

God doesn’t play dice – Albert Einstein