Most of the time our mind spends in proving others what we have achieved. The world has fix parameters to judge people.
For example if someone meets you and asks you what you do? and you say I am doing a PHD or I am working in Microsoft you suddenly gain a respect in their eyes. Whereas if you say I am a janitor then you are not respected as much.
The success which we wish to attain is very closely related to how people see you. Lets just reconcile all this lets just get back a step and look what really is being judged. You will find that others most of the time don’t have capability or capacity to judge you properly. There are no parameters to judge how brilliant you are or how happy and prosperous your life is.
One of the five tendencies of the mind is Pramana[1]. We need proof, proof of everything. Our mind keeps asking proof. But the problem is that mind lacks capability to analyse what is the truth. It sees something, makes a concept and sticks with it.
Somedays back a fine friend visited my house she came, sat and said- your house is so big, you must be really happy here. Although we are happy and I am grateful for her compliment but her comment triggered a chain of thoughts in my mind.
How could she be sure that We are happy just because our house is big. This is amazing, how our mind relates materialistic gains to happiness and justifies that its worth running after materialistic gains as it will make you happy. This happens with many of us.
This crazy Rat Race, this hurry of getting somewhere and becoming someone leaves you nowhere. Lets you do nothing. You endup confused and miserable.
More desires, more misery. Perfection comes from practice and practice is done with love. Feverishness is just a garbage which can be and should be thrown out.
[1] Patanjali Yoga Sutras
