Commonly, we try to anchor to some goal at all phases.
When we are born, our goal is to survive.
When we become kids our goal is to study and get good grades and eventually get into a great academic institution.
When we are there, them we need a good job.
When we have money we want to settle down.
When we find a life partner of our dreams, have children, we want to raise our children and the grandchildren.
The continuity of species is deeply embedded in our DNAs. This is very important as well. Otherwise, the species will dwindle away.
However, once we have surplus of everything, then what is the next goal.
There should be something more to it that just surviving and continuing the species and gathering materialistic resources to ensure the comfort of the multiple generations.
What more is there?
If we don't have a goal and if we don't have any aim, achievement of which could stimulate our dopamine receptors, then what would be the longing for?
Is there a deeply buried vision in us that is craving to come out and live its sight?
Once we achieve everything and are satisfied, what do we then crave for?
A few days ago, I met a beautiful elderly patient, Mrs. Jones, in her late 80s.
She said, "I am very satisfied with my life
I had a very nice partner, very caring children, everything has been really good and now I am ready to go."
She said, "I just want to stay comfortable for as long as I am here and then she asked with a smile. Doctor, can you give me a shot in my knee. It's hurting and it affects my mobility."
I smiled and examined her. She was stable to get a knee injection for her osteoarthritis.
It gave her some relief and she gave me a very nice smile and a hug.
That hug was a wonderful hug.
That hug transmitted her satisfaction into me and I was very happy to see her content.
I left the facility but Mrs. Jones didn't leave my mind yet.
Is the ultimate goal of Mrs. Jones life was raise children, lead a pleasant life and ultimately seek a comfortable death.
Is that what most of the times our goal is? It's a good goal to have and indeed, my patient was very happy with it.
What if we don't have a goal? What do we still live for? Or do we find ourselves done with the life?
What goal does our universe have?
It's just existing.
So many celestial bodies, just revolving around something aimlessly, thoughtlessly, mindlessly and fearlessly. Fearlessly, because there is a risk of colliding with other celestial body which may result in a complete destruction.
What's their goal?
Is the goal just to exist.
What's the goal of the ocean that keeps making waves every second. It just exists and follows what it is subjected to.
When we achieve everything that we have, what else can we do to get that same pleasure.
Brands emerged out of this need of feeling happy by showing off others that we have achieved so much. And by giving people additional goal to work towards achieving that brand which will display their accomplishments thus far.
Getting stuck in this mindset feels like a trap. A trap in the vicious circle. One after the other, in hopes of achieving an ultimate goal.
However, reaching that ultimate goal only makes us realize that it wasn't ultimate.
As long as we live, we keep wanting more and more and more, be it material or be it selfless joy from wishing for our loved one's happiness and eventually when we are tired of this journey of goal, we make death our ultimate goal.
What's the guaranteed that death is an ultimate goal.
Could there be more to it?
Very intriguing indeed!
For now, perhaps just feeling accomplished without having a goal is the goal.
That doesn't mean that we stop doing what we are doing. It just means that we keep doing what we are doing without waiting for its completion.
Just keep going on and on without having an endpoint in mind. Perhaps, achieving without the goal is the goal. The goal to just exist happily and do what we truly care.
Perhaps that's why it's said "Karma Kar, phal ki chinta mat Kar."
Just giving our best in anything and everything that we do and enjoy the process and company at each step seems to be the step towards understanding this enigma...
What's the goal?
What's the purpose?
Dr. Jaya Sonkar MD MPH
07.14.2024
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