Why...

So life has a lot of whys... nothing new there.

I was just listening to a song about a lover going through hell because he hasn't seen his loved one since an entire day, is missing her...you get the background :D

So, what is about our brains and our hearts that we tend to take things, people, situations, blessings, favors etc for granted as soon as we get accustomed to them. On a similar logic, why does familiarity have to breed contempt or boredom? Why doesn't it breed comfort, understanding and a deeper bond?

Why do we only long for that which we dont have at present. As soon as we achieve it and the chase is over, why is it suddenly not on our TO DO list anymore?

Why does novelty wear off? While this is relevant to everything from a new phone to a new laptop to every new gadget you obtain, it is much more poignant in terms of relationships-- because of one prime distinction. We breathe, we feel, we live... unlike the gadgets we use to run our lives.

A few people would argue that this isn't true. You don't cease longing for the other person just as much, it is only that having achieved that goal, you move on to other better and bigger things, hopefully together. That may be true, but I cant buy the argument completely because it illustrates a couple of important and interesting human tendencies.

Firstly, the well known chase! The human race has convinced itself that the chase is the most important part of any journey. The exhilarating feeling of reaching the mountaintop is short lived, but the competitive and exciting journey to the top is full of anticipation of the unknown.

Secondly, it depicts our attention span, which has begun to resemble that of a bee. While I don't exactly know how long is a bee's attention span, I am certain that our own is reducing at a fast pace. We multitask! We chat and talk on the phone simultaneously. We text in class. We browse a million things simultaneously. We don't sit down and read a book for hours without stopping to check our email a few times in between. Vow-- it even sounds exhausting. And multitasking is definitely considered a virtue. But what about the effect it is having on the human ability to concentrate on one thing for long enough to understand it in depth and completely?

Call me crazy, but I wont chat with you if I am browsing/ reading. I wont answer your phone if I am chatting with a friend. To me multitasking means something else. It doesn't mean 'not living in the moment'.

Anyway, this article is moving away from relationships and closer to our work-styles. So getting back to the original topic: Why this sudden increase in ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder) in the human race?

Why do we need to move on to the next peak as soon as we have accomplished the first feat? How about staying there a while and cherishing the accomplishment, the sweet feeling of hard work being rewarded with success.

And, when will we realize that although everyday is not a Sunday, every 8th day is! Just like we need a break once every week, we need a repetitive cycle of the expression of love. :))

So, if you haven't done this lately -- call your loved one and tell them just how much you long to be with them. And if they are right next to you, tell them how much you cherish them. Or don't do anything, and move on. You do have a choice.

This all began with a recent discussion with my roommate about "instant gratification"-- more on that coming up sooner or later.

Aakriti