Is it possible to lead a carefree life in today’s world? What does one need to be carefree? Most people would say that one must have enough money for financial security, without which it is well-nigh impossible to be free from worry.
In a world of economic uncertainties, providing for oneself and one’s family is the prime concern of nearly everyone. There are countless people who do not know how or from where, they will get their next meal. Grinding poverty is a fact of their life. The fate of those who live from hand to mouth is little better, as the fear of an unexpected adversity always lurks at the back of their minds.
Does this mean that the wealthy are carefree? That is hardly the case. They may not have financial worries but unhappy relationships, social pressures, and discontent and stress from trying to keep up with more ‘successful’ peers can drive them to misery, even suicide.
Almost everyone has one form of worry or another—from the moment they wake up, they worry about themselves, their family, their job or business, their friends, and relatives. Even children, who are supposedly in the happiest period of their life, complain of stress from their studies.
A major factor behind such anxiety is the thought, ‘I have to do this, that, and the other….’ We pit ourselves against circumstances, which we see as somehow stacked against us. This sows the seeds of stress in all our efforts to “overcome” and “cope with” situations and peo-ple. Life seems like a struggle or a burden. The result is despondence, tiredness, anger, and in some cases, a willingness to stray from the straight and narrow in order to get what one considers one’s due.
Acceptance and faith can change all of this. Why not accept situations, learn from them, and move on? If we see life as a struggle, we are likely to end up struggling all the time. Instead, if we see it as a game, we enjoy the experiences it offers. This difference in perspective is the reason some people laugh off their problems while others get upset.
Having the faith that things will eventually turn out good save us from unnecessary worry. Creating positive thoughts is the first step towards achieving a good outcome.
Such thoughts create the right attitude, leading to the right actions, which in turn produce favourable results.
To be truly carefree, it helps to have faith in a benevolent higher power. Have you ever noticed how babies sleep soundly in the arms of their parents? They have complete faith that they will be loved, protected, and cared for.
Similarly, the Supreme Soul, the Father of all souls, offers to relieve His children of all their burdens. But doubt, fear, and cynicism fostered by the hurt caused by other people stops us from believing Him.
The Father says that when we take responsibilities upon ourselves, we become heavy. So, think of yourself as an instrument, a trustee, a server. We are just playing our role in the world.
Other people are not our rivals, but fellow travellers in the journey of life. Our fulfilment will come not from outwitting or outdoing anyone, but from being the best that we can be. When we maintain an elevated awareness, we function on the basis of our best qualities, of peace, love, and truth. That can only bring joy and contentment. This is the key to becoming carefree.
B.K. Geeta is a Rajyoga teacher at the Brahma Kumaris headquarters in Abu Road, Rajasthan.
If we see life as a struggle, we are likely to end up struggling all the time. Instead, if we see it as a game, we enjoy the experiences it offers. This difference in perspective is the reason some people laugh off their problems while others get upset.