Thirty years ago, there was, on an average, one television set amongst a group of about fifty families, with just one channel and with restricted timings of telecast. A twicea- week film songs program, Chitrahar, and a Sunday movie were the entertainment bonanzas for television viewers. At the time when all were not fortunate enough to have the comfort of possessing a television, somehow everyone enjoyed the Sunday movie. This was possible because the owner of that ‘priceless belonging’ invited all and shared the joy with everyone in the locality. The person who allowed others to enjoy his possession enjoyed the most by bringing smiles in the lives of so many people. The beneficiaries on the other hand were ever proud as one of their neighbours owned a television, unlike today, when we have a sense of discomfort and dejection if a neighbour possesses something bigger or better than us. Such resentfulness is not just restricted to neighbours but unfortunately today, the intolerance has crept in amongst family members as well. The example of television is one out of many and of the time when people lived in harmony irrespective of their possessions. Similarly then, a rare house among many had the privilege of a landline telephone connection, but the communication at that time reigned supreme amongst all.
As we introspect into our living today, almost everyone in the family wishes to have his personal television and also a cell phone. Many are fortunate to get their wish fulfilled. The question arises: are we able to enjoy our life to the extent we used to in earlier years? Our possessions have increased but somehow the level of enjoyment and satisfaction has gone down. Why is it so that in earlier times we enjoyed far more despite not owning many things? Where are we going wrong and what needs to be changed?
The answer to this is simple and twofold. Firstly, we have forgotten to appreciate and like what others have and secondly, with possessions has come the possessiveness. We have stopped sharing and have become self-centric. It is me and mine only. The problems have increased and the level of happiness has gone down because importance is given to material possessions. In other words, valuables have taken precedence over values. One may argue: how can our happiness increase by sharing what we have and by appreciating what others have? The television and telephone of yester years are the testimony of the rule when we shared these medium of communication of others. This issue is: how can this be achieved in the present digital age?
The answer is ‘Facebook’. ‘Facebook’ today is common and almost every one of us uses it to share information. It is a tool of social networking and a popular way to communicate with friends and relatives. The platform of ‘Facebook’ allows us to ‘like’ what our friends post and encourages us to share what we have. We enjoy and cherish when we like something good being shared with our friends? Whenever we like something on the ‘Facebook’ there is a sense of appreciation towards others and whenever we share, there is enormous pleasure as our friends acknowledge our posts. ‘Facebook’ proves that to add to your joy you need to ‘share’. We experience this joy in the digital world but sadly ignore the rule when it comes to possessions.
It is only when we start appreciating others; the sense of separateness fades, and feeling of oneness prevails. Similarly, when we start sharing the benefits of what is available to us, our happiness will increase manifold. Sharing is the key for a happy living, aptly demonstrated by ‘facebook’.
I would conclude by quoting Dada Vaswani: “Nothing belongs to us”. If this be the case, let us share our possessions to experience and live in happiness.
Let us never forget that ‘Facebook’ teaches us to experience sharing
