The other side is greener..... invariably!
The other side always is greener than wherever you are....., well most of the time! So it seems. It is an old phrase descended from Latin.
The one who plays in the farm, looking at the aircraft flying overhead, aspires to be up there. The pilot yearns to set foot on earth and take rest. Well, the privileges, the power, the affluence may differ from one place to the other. So is the case with the misery, hardships, pressure, tension etc. We cannot therefore compare just the positives (ignoring the negatives) and wish to belong to the other side.
Actually, in an agricultural field, you can experience this. It will look greener on the far side. But when you go near that side and look back to where you stood earlier, that side will look greener. I have experienced it when I was a boy (when I used to visit my relative's village). Is it not a 'fallacy' to think so, or a 'myth' or an 'illusion'?
It is a general feeling that many of us get during our lifetime, especially when we are a bit down. We tend to compare with people known to us and imagine that they are better off than us. This is a 'syndrome'. To get over this, we have to first stop comparing ourselves with others. We do not know what they are going through. Never envy others and fume. It is not worth it. As they now say, 'The grass is greener where you water it'. So, it is for us to strengthen ourselves by taking appropriate measures.
We generally get this feeling (others are better off) as we do not really know what we have got already. We focus on 'what we do not have' (especially when others have them) and start tormenting us with the negative thoughts. I am reminded of a story narrated by a saint.
A person went to a yogi and started enumerating all his difficulties and said that he wanted to commit suicide, as he did not have anything in life.
Yogi : I will give you 2 million rupees.
Person : Will you?
Yogi : Yes, but on one condition; you should give both your eyes to me.
Person : How could I, yogi....?
Yogi : Okay. Then I will give you 1.5 million and in turn you give me your 2 legs.
Person : Sorry. I cannot....
Yogi : Why....? So, you think your eyes and legs (and other organs in your body) are worthier than 2 million. You have got so much worth within you, considering all your organs (working very well). How could you say that you do not have anything? Think of what you have, rather than contemplating on what you don't have. You will live contentedly, peacefully and happily.
The one who plays in the farm, looking at the aircraft flying overhead, aspires to be up there. The pilot yearns to set foot on earth and take rest. Well, the privileges, the power, the affluence may differ from one place to the other. So is the case with the misery, hardships, pressure, tension etc. We cannot therefore compare just the positives (ignoring the negatives) and wish to belong to the other side.
Actually, in an agricultural field, you can experience this. It will look greener on the far side. But when you go near that side and look back to where you stood earlier, that side will look greener. I have experienced it when I was a boy (when I used to visit my relative's village). Is it not a 'fallacy' to think so, or a 'myth' or an 'illusion'?
It is a general feeling that many of us get during our lifetime, especially when we are a bit down. We tend to compare with people known to us and imagine that they are better off than us. This is a 'syndrome'. To get over this, we have to first stop comparing ourselves with others. We do not know what they are going through. Never envy others and fume. It is not worth it. As they now say, 'The grass is greener where you water it'. So, it is for us to strengthen ourselves by taking appropriate measures.
We generally get this feeling (others are better off) as we do not really know what we have got already. We focus on 'what we do not have' (especially when others have them) and start tormenting us with the negative thoughts. I am reminded of a story narrated by a saint.
A person went to a yogi and started enumerating all his difficulties and said that he wanted to commit suicide, as he did not have anything in life.
Yogi : I will give you 2 million rupees.
Person : Will you?
Yogi : Yes, but on one condition; you should give both your eyes to me.
Person : How could I, yogi....?
Yogi : Okay. Then I will give you 1.5 million and in turn you give me your 2 legs.
Person : Sorry. I cannot....
Yogi : Why....? So, you think your eyes and legs (and other organs in your body) are worthier than 2 million. You have got so much worth within you, considering all your organs (working very well). How could you say that you do not have anything? Think of what you have, rather than contemplating on what you don't have. You will live contentedly, peacefully and happily.
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