The temporary and the permanent

It is a tough world to live in, especially when you not only have to live a good life but should also be SEEN to live a good life. It is not enough that you BE happy, you have to be ACKNOWLEDGED to be happy. Otherwise, your happiness is...err...temporary, isn't it? Like, you put up a Insta reel showing how happy you are and nobody reacts to it at all. Are you even sure that you WERE happy when you put it up?

So, then, Tiru has this to say about the temporary and the permanent

Nilladhavatrai nilaiyina endrunarum pullarivaanmai kadai - Tirukkural

To see as permanent that which is ephemeral is the worst of ignorance - Loose Translation

So there. To not even realise something is ephemeral and shall not last is the worst thing for you according to Tiru. Think of it and it does seem logical, doesn't it? I mean, most people tend to work towards their own goals. When you fix those goals without even realizing whether they are worth pursuing is a sure-shot way to becoming a failure without even failing, if you get what I mean. Like, as a kid, if you chase being the best gilli-danda player in your area over doing well at school (OR even cricket) even if you succeed in your goal, you end up becoming a failure in life, no?

To know what is lasting and what is not IS of utmost importance. Like, in the above case, realising that being the best gilli-danda player in your area is not something you can continue to boast of in your twenties OR use to get into college on the sports quota...THAT also falls under this 'what is temporary and what is permanent' thingy. Easy as it is for parents to tell that to their children, it is tougher to recognize for themselves whether something is gilli-danda or cricket/academics when it comes to their own lives. I mean, say, the pleasure of telling off your boss vs your career etc (Where is it something temporary as just letting off steam OR as permanent as maintaining your self-respect?) OR getting a moderate raise vs spending time with your family OR...I mean, really, people find it tough to KNOW whether one more party with their friends is worth losing your spouse so what to talk of tougher choices?

The point IS that one should have a clear idea of what IS temporary to THEM and what IS permanent. I mean, I may feel that a career is worth more than the pleasure of an annual trip to the Himalayas; you may feel that life is short and it is far less likely that you will toil up the Himalayas in your sixties so it is now or never...ALL of that is individual taste and interests. BUT...you DO need to prioritize what IS permanent to you over what is temporary.

Of course, Tiru WILL go on to say 'Life is ephemeral and the soul flits from body to body so you need to seek the permanence of nirvana'. Which also has its kernel of truth if you do believe in the soul but, yeah, unless you ARE pushing my age you'd probably yawn and say, "Yeah, fine, see you later!" and that would be that.

If you fail, however, to properly assess the temporary and permanent in life...Most of those with talent who are unhappy about not having succeeded can look back on decisions where THEY failed to do this.

Regret tastes VERY bitter!