Once up a time in the Pre covid era I had seen a post from a friend who said life should be led by the heart’s desires but the ring of family, friends, jobs, friends, expectations, norms and what-nots bind us all. So we do not chase the dreams but choose the chains. But, there are those rare few who see these scented and golden chains and break them. They follow their hearts and minds. I envy those folks. Able to ride 50K miles on a whim or run an ultra. Unplanned. Just like that.
I also envy those who quit plush jobs and do their own thing. Struggle and succeed or keep struggling with hope. I think they will find that Unicorn if they plod on.
And then …
Do I hear or sense un-rest. Dissonance. Impedance. A restrained loudness in the sub text of freedom and courage ? Satisfaction seems elusive.
It is not that they are not happy. They are happy, mostly and very proud. You see it is not easy to go against the grain. There are questions on reasons for being different. They need to overcome constant resistance and need to explain their quest. And yet manage to have a place in the circle of familiars and peers. To face all that and keep the conviction about their vision is hard. So if you do it and keeping doing it you must be proud of it.
I on the other hand manage to do what I want, whenever I can and bend to demands of all the chains and circles when I can’t.
Then the thoughts go towards peace and contentment. Who gets that ? Seems not the “Normal accomplishers” but do the forsakes get it ? Does the Sadhu, fakir get it ? Will the mind and meditation make it ?
I have split the people I know into 4 big groups.
Vagabonds: these are free souled travelers and by choice drifters. Who quit their corporate cushions and rough it out on the roads. Walk, cycle, bike, car. They gather experiences, stories and cherish freedom. They seems to want to up the thrills or the endurance progressively. Stability makes them sad ? Also they seem to have a silent smolder against society and near ones.
Love, bonding needs familiarity, routine, comfort. Adrenaline needs excitement and newness. This tension make the person restless ? Wanting to escape. But they are happy on a trail, have stories of humanity and awesomeness. They seek not the materials or wealth but experiences, mountain peaks. Here too there is some form of hoarding. If a marathon is done then there is ultra and ultra in extremes. If you have done Leh on bike. From Kanyakumari and back, then when to north east and then Bangkok ? Is it a huge sense of righteousness for their form of freedom and a bit of anger against Normal ? May not be but satisfied they are not. Mostly.
Entrepreneurs: These too reject the normal and chase their dreams. With a world changing vision they plod on for 18 hours a day for years. These days they are more polished and pitch steam, as clouds tearing the skies. They bring fairy tale creatures to life. And I think they are a bit miserable too.
They have highs are like no one else and their lows are a marina trench dug twice over. They are about wealth, impact and world dominance. So born restless. I do know few in this class who have exited the startup rat race and do slow down but their eyes are still looking for that one big break. Then there are founders’ investors’ tiffs and politics to keep them a decent company
Spiritualists: By definitions there are the ones that profess a familiarity with a/the higher power. Strive for unity with it or salvation of their soul. We also have life coaches and philosophers. They should be the ones that radiate contentment and peace. And then there is the question of the right way, the path to the peace dom. And here the plot is lost to me. Few of them seem to be like franchise. Take over the world with one chapter at a time. Established centers are points of interest and attraction. The guru is the rock star. They have a purpose, rituals. Yet most of them too are still seeking peace.
And the yogi who got it possibly checked out of the civilization ! So he is lost to us and may have found himself. May be but if we do not see him or hear her what do we make of it ?
Social workers: They are about service and humanitarianism. Give voice to down trodden, calamity stricken or in general disadvantaged. A lot of good is channeled via them and the NGOs.
Some are silent change makers, others vocal, few activists. Think to be a good a one needs to know the powerful and wealthy, have a deep conviction to their cause and connect with the people they serve. Some are individuals with social media voice. They are single minded on their pursuit and that consumes them. Their lack of calm is from the fire with in. Content very few of them are.
So having dismissed the “alternate” life style what have a we got. The main stream anyway is materialist, stuck in a rut, dissatisfied cribbers who need to be saved. The corporate prisoners, the tired government worker and etc. etc. who seem to be going about their dreary lives with no purpose. So are we doomed to be restless and so in our quest of excellence spoil peace of mind and the earth in general ?
Not so soon. I’ve also seen the other side of the coin. Satisfaction and contentment in people who must not be peaceful, given thier situation and condition. This is all the more relavant in these locked down times that have equivalised most of us. From a worker , to a student, to seeker , the vegabond …
Wait for part 2 of the blog.
Hit the roads 
super post.
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