Themneivah Sitlhou
New Delhi
The world we live in keeps transforming rapidly, aligning with material development. There was once a time when no family member needed to shift far away to earn a livelihood and for a better life. Today, the world we live in is systematically structured to cheapen life, making us feel suffocating. Poor gets poorer and rich get richer. This structural bias needs to be understood and untangled like a mysterious game for survival.
Broadly speaking, with the LPG reform in India and around the world, investments flooded in, and some parts of the world—or specifically speaking, some parts of India—received more investment and development, while others were left behind due to political instability or perhaps topographical barriers. The difference in development created a force that led to migrant workers or students travelling far away to build their life.
Everyone is so busy in a dead-done world, as capitalism demands us to work long shifts and give our best in our jobs with meagre salaries. This steals the time we might have had with our friends, society and even our family. We are social animals that need socialisation. We, humans are the only creatures blessed with the gift of speech and we needed to be heard in times of adversary.
This generation—let us picture ourselves as a player and the world as a game. The second we step out from our personal space, we enter into a world of competition—be it in education, sports, looks, etc. Social influences such as social media, and practices of idol worshipping intimidate us, lower our self-esteem, and deter reflective energy.
One very trending concern is the misuse of Artificial Intelligence. Society, or even our personal space, is not safe anymore. Technology penetrates even into our gates with no proper implementation of policy against AI. Our total administration fails us. All these structural failures give us anxiety—even to the extent of committing suicide.
When it is not in our hands to change the system or the development of the changing world, we can align ourselves with its transformation. What capitalism requires is IQ (Intelligence quotient), while what our life requires is EI (Emotional Intelligence).
Our mind is a restless monkey. The human mind is unnecessarily and very active by nature; it often gets drunk on its own desires, which create turbulence. Emotions are an expression of our feelings. Wise are those who have responded or acted wisely over emotions. These emotions are very strong and how we react with it will decide our life. Wise are those who categorically come to terms with their emotions and adequately channel their emotions toward a socially desirable goal.
Studies show that 80% of adult success comes from EI, while IQ contributes just 20%. For example, our IQ will get us hired in a job, but professional success and coping with stress, situations, etc., in our job depend on our EI. A wise man once said that anyone can become angry at any person, but to become angry at the right person, and in the right proportion, can be done only by a few.
In layman's terms—EI means the strength of our mind. We do agree that no one is born wise. Genetic factors may play a role in the development of IQ—but EI is learned, cultured, and developed by oneself.
One can develop strength of mind (EI) through self-motivation. For that, one must be aware of his/her emotions—only then can they regulate them. So, self-awareness is very important. One often sees that when a person is able to regulate themselves, he/she develops high self-motivation, which in turn improves self-esteem and an optimistic outlook on life. A self-motivated person are initiative taker and game changer.
Learning social skills helps in handling social relationships well. This in turn will boost our confidence and make ourselves feel wanted and desirable. Social skill is very important in life so that one does not feel left out. Social skills can be developed by remembering the names of others, recognizing faces, and building social memory. One should not only be aware of their own emotions but also of their surroundings. It also involves knowing the strengths and weaknesses of others and, at the same time, respecting them.
Society has taught us that women tend to have lower IQs than men. It is not that women are born less intelligent, but rather, our customs condition women to "know their place" and be subjected to men. All these beliefs have led to the auto-limitation of women, causing them to conceal their potential. These echoes are so strong and toxic that women often willingly subject themselves—not knowing that they have a story to live. This may seem like nothing, but it is a silent sickness where one is unaware of the cause but suffers the symptoms. This often led to oppression of women. Once women are given chance to live, they will develop a positive attitude to contribute towards social well being. Studies show that Indian GDP will grow to some extent if women got a chance to take part in economic activities.
We are as good as winning as long as we don't give up. We grow alongside adversities in our life. One way or the other, we are warriors battling our own battles. Each scar you bear and the silent tears yet you rise up each dawn to navigate a challenging world testify that you are brave and strong.
Always remember that the world is beautiful for positive thinkers.
