Are We Happier Than Our Ancestors?
This was an article I wrote during my higher secondary school examination. One of the few articles I have written, that makes me think about life and luxury.
Happiness is a personal affair. One man’s happiness could be another one’s distress. With technological advancement, the measure of happiness also changes. Today, it is all based upon the materialistic life. Earning more money and leading a luxurious life is seen as happiness.
In ancient times, it was not like this. Fulfilment of the basic and cardinal necessities like food, clothing and shelter was seen as happiness. When the basic needs are fulfilled, then the human emotions conquer. Then man tries to fulfil his emotions to attain happiness. Today, we find that man attains happiness when he finds that he is wealthier and more respectable than his neighbour. He thinks of earning more and buying more. Happiness today is measured in terms of mere money.
In ancient times, our ancestors enjoyed spiritual happiness and development. They studied the inner spirit and what shall provide eternal happiness. Today, it has been replaced by the study of the outer material world, and or how to achieve material goods and happiness. The human spirit has been forgotten. This shift had many consequences. Technological advancement was just a part. There was also the trouble of environmental degradation and pollution.
The question, still remains an unanswered mystery. We can say that we are happier than our ancestors in terms of the luxury we achieved, the speed and health we have attained, and the fun we enjoy. This level of materialistic development was absent in the old age. But there is something which we have lost and have forgotten to nurture. The magic and the power of the human spirit has been forgotten. Thus we have lost the spiritual happiness, which is more powerful than materialistic happiness that our ancestors enjoyed.
There is indeed a solution to our carelessness. If we concentrate now on the inner spiritual mind, rather than the outer world by providing high adventure breaks periodically and thus break the monotony of our lives, we can regain the true human spirit. Our basic and anarchic instincts have not been lost completely.
Some day we might be happier than our ancestors.
