Are We Enjoying Life the Wrong Way?

-

Are We Enjoying Life the Wrong Way?

So many times, people say, “Enjoy your life while you’re in school or college. After that, it’s just work, work, work.”

I’ve heard this countless times, and every time, I wonder—doesn’t this go against what our ancient wisdom teaches us?

Our scriptures divide life into distinct phases, each with a purpose. The first phase, Brahmacharya Ashram, was meant for learning, discipline, and self-development. It wasn’t just about textbooks; it was about training the mind, body, and spirit with unwavering focus. Students were expected to immerse themselves completely, cultivating the kind of dedication that shapes character.

Yet today, we are told to “enjoy” these formative years, as if they were an extended vacation—before the so-called “real world” takes over.

But if we only chase short-term pleasures, where does that leave us?


The Cost of ‘Just Enjoying Life’

Modern life tells us, “If something isn’t instantly fun, drop it.” We’ve become addicted to distractions. Our attention spans are shrinking. The ability to focus and grow is fading. And then, when the real challenges of life hit, we struggle.

But in our ancient tradition, the opposite was true. The Brahmacharya phase wasn’t about struggle—it was preparation. It built the discipline and patience needed for the next phase, Gruhastha Ashram, where one took on responsibilities, contributed to society, and lived with purpose.

Yet today, we repeat the same advice to teens:
"Beta, abhi jitna chahta hai utna enjoy karle. Baadme life tere maze legi."

Ironically, we admire those who are disciplined and successful. But when we guide the next generation, we tell them to take it easy.

I watched adults around me. Somewhere in their 30s, they stopped enjoying life. They got trapped in routines, responsibilities, and stress.

So, I asked myself:

  • How do I ensure I don’t end up the same way?
  • How do I wake up every morning with the same enthusiasm I have today?

Then, I started observing the people who truly loved their lives. What were they doing differently?


The Lessons I Learned

#1 True Joy Comes from Discipline

In Brahmacharya, discipline wasn’t a punishment—it was a gateway to self-mastery. The happiest people weren’t those who avoided hard work; they were the ones who embraced it early and reaped the benefits later.

#2 Growth is Not One-Dimensional

They didn’t just chase money or status. They nurtured their mind, body, and heart.
Ancient education wasn’t just about memorizing facts; it focused on physical health, emotional balance, and spiritual growth.

#3 Happiness is Created, Not Chased

They didn’t wait for happiness to happen. They created it—by helping others, mentoring, and lifting people up. Fulfillment came from contribution, not consumption.

#4 Relationships Are Built, Not Found

Deep friendships and love don’t happen by accident. They require time, effort, and intention. These people surrounded themselves with those who inspired them and helped them grow.

#5 Passion Fuels the Spirit

They had something they loved—not for money or recognition, but for the joy of it. Whether it was music, art, writing, or fitness, their passion gave them energy and purpose.

#6 Time is a Resource to Create

No one finds time. The happiest people make time.
They consciously chose what mattered—work, rest, growth. Their success wasn’t just in material achievements but in the richness of their character.

Bringing Ancient Wisdom into Today’s World

Our ancient system wasn’t about surviving life—it was about flourishing. It prepared people holistically so that every phase of life had meaning.

We don’t have to reject modern comforts. But we must blend them with the wisdom of the past.

Life isn’t about a brief period of fun followed by endless struggle. It’s a rhythm. A dance. Every step, every sacrifice, plays a role in a larger, meaningful journey.

So, I challenge you—whether you’re a student, a professional, or someone seeking growth:

  • Are you building your life on solid foundations?
  • Are you making space for discipline, for passion, for relationships that matter?

If we want Bharat to rise again as ‘Sone ki Chidiya’, we must revisit this wisdom. We must build a society that nurtures every aspect of life—because life is a gift.

And if we cherish every gift we receive, why should this be any different?

 



Popular posts from this blog

The Mom-ster Magic: Navigating the Menopause Maze as a Teen

-
Image
Guys, you know… my sweet, loving, always-there-for-me mom has turned into… um, let’s call her  The Storm Queen . I swear I’m not exaggerating. One day, she’s raining emotions; the next, she’s a blazing fire; occasionally, she’s just a quiet, cloudy sky. It hit me this morning when I realised that my mom has been going through something huge, and I’ve been totally clueless.  At first, I was confused—actually, scratch that—I was overwhelmed. At first, I thought, What’s going on with her? But honestly, my reaction wasn’t great. If she snapped at me, I snapped back. If she got upset, I’d distance myself. It wasn’t that I didn’t love her—it was just hard.   The Rock and the Rift Since I was a kid, I’ve seen my parents as this perfect, unshakable team. They were that cliched couple who completed each other’s sentences (or, in my parent’s case, did each other’s work). But suddenly, I started noticing cracks in their dynamic. Tiny arguments became a little more ser...
Read more

Thread of Life: Secrets to Discipline, Success, and Satisfaction (No Magic, Just Habits!)

-
Image
In 2018, I was experiencing a major upgrade in life. I would become a twice-born, someone who had been given the upanayana, the sacred thread.   At that time, my reasons for getting the  Janeu  were relatively tiny. It felt like my kind of fancy accessory—something I could flaunt and say, “Hey, look at me! I follow the oldest, deepest, and most profound school of thought—the Vedic philosophy.”     > To me, the  Upanayan Sanskaar  was like a golden ticket. It meant I could finally study the Vedas, a dream I had nurtured since childhood. It was also a way to show everyone I believed in my culture, roots, and every little ritual—even if they seemed “uncommon” or “orthodox” to others.  > More than anything, I wanted to feel  Brahm —that eternal truth, the consciousness our rishis have written about with such vividness. I wanted to touch that wisdom, experience the formless, and reach heights in life itself.    I was read...
Read more

Dear World, My Mom’s Not Lucky—I Am!

-
Image
You know, I’m tired of hearing people tell my mom, “You’re so lucky to have a son like Mitra. I wish my son were like him.” Whenever I hear this, I want to roll my eyes and say, “Oh, come on! You have no idea how much effort and sacrifice my mom has poured into shaping me into the person you’re praising.”  Here’s the truth:  She’s not the one who got lucky. I am.   How I Came Into This World My story didn’t start in the hospital. It began in heartbreak. My parents had been married for eight years, endured three devastating miscarriages, and heard more than their share of cruel whispers: “She’s barren. She’s cursed.” Society didn’t waste any time pointing fingers at my mom, as if my dad had no role in the process at all. (Classic, isn’t it?)     But my parents, stubborn believers in  the  higher power, didn’t give up. They studied  garbhasanskaar , the ancient practice of prenatal education, and decided to lean into the wisdom of our ancestors...
Read more

Success Isn’t Just Tall—It’s Wide Too!

-
Image
Disclaimer Before you dive into this blog, let me share something important. Everything I’ve written here is based on my beliefs, observations, and the little knowledge I’ve gathered so far. I don’t intend to offend or challenge anyone’s deeply-held beliefs, especially since I know some of you reading this have far more life experience than I do. My goal isn’t to debate but to offer a perspective. All I ask is that you read this with an open heart and mind—whether you agree or not is entirely up to you. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------   Sometimes, I sit and wonder what success truly is. How does one become successful? Some say, “Work hard, and you’ll be successful.” But I’ve seen people who work harder than anyone else and are still nowhere close to succeeding. Others say, “Work smart, and you’ll be successful.” But I’ve seen people w...
Read more

From Love to Entitlement: When Pampering Creates a Monster

-
Image
The other day, I saw a girl upset with her parents on her birthday. She frowned and said, “This isn’t what I wanted. Why didn’t you do it  my  way?”  Another time, a boy won a national championship. Instead of celebrating the win, he went straight to his parents and asked, “So, what are you buying  me  for this?”   Then, a teen handed her parents a list of birthday demands ranging from the latest iPhone to designer sneakers. She didn’t  ask ; she  handed  it over like an invoice.   And there was a boy who genuinely believed everyone around him should consider  him  their leader because, in  his  words, he was the “handsomest of all.”   I couldn’t help but wonder:  How did we get here?     When Did Gratitude Turn into Entitlement?   It’s heartwarming to see parents go out of their way to make their child’s dreams come true. But what happens when those dreams start to fe...
Read more