Post by darshini on Jul 16, 2012 21:56:15 GMT 5.5
“Standard of living” is a phrase which is widely being used nowadays by everyone. Even certain policies implemented by the government is said to be for improving the “standard of living” of the people.
Food to fill your stomach, clothes to cover your body and to protect from heat, cold and rain, a roof above, are a person’s minimum requirements. This is what the government should provide for all the people and the policies should be made accordingly.
Running behind wealth required to attain more than these minimum requirements will not improve the standard of living of the people. As a matter of fact, “standard of living” is not something which can be achieved by the accumulation of worldly items or things. A good standard of living means being content at heart.
By increasing your wants or requirements and madly running to attain them, no one can become content and have a peaceful life. We are experiencing this in our own society now. We look at the foreigners’ way of life, living in luxuries and comfort. We are attracted to this and strive to make our lives luxurious and comfortable like them.
On the contrary, the foreigners who have reached the peak of being luxurious, now feel that there is no satisfaction that can be derived from all this. And so, many people are coming to our country to learn Yoga, Vedanta and Bhakti maargas .It is pitiable that we do not learn even after being aware of all this.
If one person dumps his wardrobe full of clothes and riches, or he dines in very big hotels at all times, or has air conditioned his whole house - it does not prove that he is having a better standard of living.
Only if he feels content, satisfied or happy at heart – despite not possessing any such luxurious items, he can really be said to be having a better “standard of living”.
Source: Deivathin Kural (Tamil)