Human Bonds

The times one spends in the loving company of family and/or friends are so precious! An evening on the beach or a picnic in the garden is the most simplest of activity we all occupy ourselves in…but imagine what life would be if we were to do this all alone every time?! Some solitude is a must and we all do spend self-time, but it’s always the times together with someone else that keep coming back in the form of fond memories over the years.

Have you ever thought of that alone time you spend shopping at a mall or reading a book or having a walk? I doubt. We enjoy it when we do it, but we rarely think about it as there are no special moments made in that. The making of funny faces, the licking of ice cream, the tussle and fights, the teasing and joking, the dance and the songs….these are all moments made by those others when we are in company and that’s why they are etched in memory.

Much as people say that they like their own company it’s not really true. In those own company times one is invariably with something – a book, a movie, cooking, shopping or simply doing some kind of work. There might be no other human presence but one is not really absolutely solitary…there is that activity to keep the person occupied.

There are very few people who have learned the art of being in their own company sans any human presence or indulging in any activity associated with other things. The time when one is with one’s mind trying to make something of life…something calm and positive. Not the kind where one is just unhappily mulling over things and cribbing to oneself….we all are capable of being with ourselves in that manner and its what can be called as avoiding company rather than being with self! It’s the self realization, spiritual or philosophical being with oneself that I am talking about. This being with one self is devoid of human presence or being active with something. In this state one is with one’s mind and that’s when one is truly with oneself.

Being truly with oneself is so necessary. It helps in taking stock of our lives and where we are going. It also helps in reaching a mental balance and in achieving a positive outlook. But can one always stay in this state? In fact by staying in this state constantly one is actually defeating the whole purpose of the process. This process is required to help you let go of your ill wills and negativities so that you can go back in the company of other beings or continue your activities in a more pleasant and harmonious manner. If one just stays in one’s company all the time the good that comes out of it can never be utilized. Such a waste!

So at the end of the day we do things with ourselves and to ourselves but these are all for the benefit of enjoying what every human essentially requires. Another human company! Man is a social animal and his family and friends are the closest bonds in the social circle that enrich, enliven and fulfill his life! The bonds that form the bitter-sweet memories of his life!