On Frustration

“It is better to strive in one’s own dharma than to succeed in the dharma of another. Nothing is ever lost in following one’s own dharma. But competition in another’s dharma breeds fear and insecurity.” ~ Krishna from The Bhagavad Gita

I truly do believe that we should not compare ourselves to others, or try to be what they are. That we should follow our own path, do what we are meant to do. But what if the path is rife with obstacles? Does that mean we are not meant to be on that path? Or are these just challenges, tests, that we must overcome to be more fulfilled when we reach where we want to go?

The problem with the latter is that sometimes the frustration of it all is too much. Sometimes, after so many obstacles, they simply become not worth overcoming anymore and then we give up. It is easy for people to say "Don't give up. Don't give in. You can do whatever you want to." Well, the truth of the matter is, everyone's situation is unique. And, in this day and age, you simply cannot do whatever you want. And so we do accept. We do settle. We do regret.

And then we are lost.

Where am I going with this?

Well, I see every day people who, I believe, are meant for so much more. People who are unhappy because they aren't following their own dharma, or who are being challenged every step of the way when they do and it's wearing them down. It is fustrating to me. I don't understand. Why can't we all just do what we love, what we are good at, what we are meant to do, and be happy?

I, myself, gave up on writing long ago when deep down in my heart and soul I am meant to be writing. Why leave it? Well, words don't make dinner, and paragraphs don't make a home. And so I went the way the bill-collector forced me to go. And my spirit went into hiding.

It's one of those introspective sort of days. I'm not sad or upset. I can even say I am content today. I am simply frustrated with this society sometimes so I needed to write to get the thoughts out of my head.