The Art of Living
English Essay on "The Art of Living"
Living is an art and the most complicated art as it is based upon the scientific application of the good principles of living which govern the behaviour and attitude of a human being. Life has various aims for various people; to some it is just an empty dream; to others it is zeal and pleasure. Life may be fulfilling of one’s duties. Life may also be an adventure. Sonic live just for enjoyment. They like to eat and be merry without caring for tomorrow, which they think may not come. For them life is not a serious journey through years, it is a light comedy; at least that is what they wish it to be. In real life, however, there are very few people who can enjoy so easily for life is not just a bed of roses, it has many thorns too. Life is a comedy as well as a tragedy. in fact, these are two faces of life to be faced as they come and go.
The life of a modern man is highly complicated. It has just grown into a science from just an art. Natural colour and flavour of life have been removed by the modern scientific and technological advance. The life of a modern man is like that of shuttlecock in the busy atmosphere. The movements of man depend on the speed of the scientific implements which throw him hither and thither. Man is a slave to science and technology. He starts the morning cup of tea with an electric-stove and after spending a hectic day of work and movement, throws himself in the bed like a worn-out machine.
Most of the people are always grumbling for one thing or the other and they are dissatisfied with life; some people complain of lack of money while others suffer from ill health. Even the richest man may have something to feel unhappy about. Life has become so complicated that only children can enjoy pure laughter, all others have some worry or the other. Every one is busy and over busy all the time. Except in villages where nature continues to play a dominant role in the routine life of man, every one is in a hurry to do one thing or the other.
In fact, the art of living has become the science of living in modern life. Whereas modern amenities of life, the more important of these being electricity, T.V., V.C.R., cinema and car, have provided comfort and luxury, the competition among human beings to avail themselves of these comforts to the maxim um has snatched all taste and pleasures of a natural life. These amenities have killed the human interest in the beauties of nature. No more are the days when a young-hearted man would gaze at the stars and the m ‘on in a leisurely fashion and enjoy the beauty of Nature. With the advance of science and technology the sweeter aspects of life are receding to the back ground. Instead of the natural beauty one can only come across man-made buildings, big buses and trucks, mighty machines and huge factories to amaze one’s eyes.
New buildings arid machines are the symbols of modern civilisation. They are the symbols of man’s growing power over nature and rising standard of living. But they certainly tell upon the nerves of a peace-loving man and fill him with awe and fear. They distort his mind and make it avers to humanity, love and pleasure.
An optimist is definitely a much better fighter in the battle of life than a pessimist. The real art of living lies in looking at the brighter side of things. Brave is the man who takes comedies and tragedies alike as they come and go. In fact, that is the attitude of life which can bring maximum success to a man. One should always remember the basic principle of the Holy Quran, “Do you duty and leave the result to God”. All great men have practised this principle and achieved best results of life. If one does the duty without pinning the expectations too high, even small successes bring happiness, joy and stitisfaction. This attitude keeps the mind free from cares, worries and bother-nations. The best wisdom lies in living thoroughly and intensely in the present, deriving lessons from the past, and keeping high ideals for future.
According to the principle of ‘simple living’ and high thinking’ the art of living does not lie in wealth; it lies in being noble and peaceful, in believing in selfness service and struggling for the achievement of the mission for life. Many great men of the present age, like the Quaid, Zafar Mi Khan, Allama Mashriqi and Ziaul Haq, are best examples of simple living and high thinking. These persons had a fire in their mission and achieved miracles in their respective fields.
Most men at present are well-dressed men who live in full glory of modern scientific amenities find still achieve success not only for themselves but also for the community they live in and for the nation they serve. Hence, simple living is, of course, now-a-days not an essential qualification for success in life. Simple living is quite difficult task today as the mode of living in the present world has changed altogether and simple living does not ordinarily equip a person with necessary prerequisites for greatness. Only a God-sent genius can achieve greatness through simple living; a normal human being has got to go through the mill of modern complicated living, the complicated scientific implements of modern publicity before he can be said to have become great. A politician who wants to rise, must make use of loud-speaking apparatus, the TV and the like before and after he achieves something worthwhile in society.
The art of living from the point of becoming great implies moving with the times. No man desiring to achieve greatness can avoid the use of science and technology, if modern life necessitates it.
The art of living again implies a healthy development of mind, body and intellect. Modern life provides all the facilities for the up-keep of the physique, trimmed personality and the sharpened mind. Besides the books and the education, there are the cinema, the TV arid the radio. These instruments keep one abreast of time and keep one’s mind sharp’ and intellect bright. Then there are modern scientific aids which enable one to keep a healthy and bright appearance. If one is not charming, by God’s grace one. can avail oneself of the cosmetics and other make-up aids and look smart and add to one’s personality.
The art of living, thus, in the modern set-up has undergone a sea change. It has become materialistic and worldly-wise. There is less appreciation for selfless service done in a silent way than for a less selfless work done with a lot of publicity and show. It is the recognition that matters, not the real intent and content of achievement. Modern society demands a highly complicated way of living for achievement of any sort. Even religious and spiritual achievements require publicity for being recognised. The art of living, therefore, demands that human beings live up to the expectations of their community and do their best in every way. They should spread an atmosphere of pleasure, smile and laughter and encourage themselves and other to do better things.
The life of a modern man is highly complicated. It has just grown into a science from just an art. Natural colour and flavour of life have been removed by the modern scientific and technological advance. The life of a modern man is like that of shuttlecock in the busy atmosphere. The movements of man depend on the speed of the scientific implements which throw him hither and thither. Man is a slave to science and technology. He starts the morning cup of tea with an electric-stove and after spending a hectic day of work and movement, throws himself in the bed like a worn-out machine.
Most of the people are always grumbling for one thing or the other and they are dissatisfied with life; some people complain of lack of money while others suffer from ill health. Even the richest man may have something to feel unhappy about. Life has become so complicated that only children can enjoy pure laughter, all others have some worry or the other. Every one is busy and over busy all the time. Except in villages where nature continues to play a dominant role in the routine life of man, every one is in a hurry to do one thing or the other.
In fact, the art of living has become the science of living in modern life. Whereas modern amenities of life, the more important of these being electricity, T.V., V.C.R., cinema and car, have provided comfort and luxury, the competition among human beings to avail themselves of these comforts to the maxim um has snatched all taste and pleasures of a natural life. These amenities have killed the human interest in the beauties of nature. No more are the days when a young-hearted man would gaze at the stars and the m ‘on in a leisurely fashion and enjoy the beauty of Nature. With the advance of science and technology the sweeter aspects of life are receding to the back ground. Instead of the natural beauty one can only come across man-made buildings, big buses and trucks, mighty machines and huge factories to amaze one’s eyes.
New buildings arid machines are the symbols of modern civilisation. They are the symbols of man’s growing power over nature and rising standard of living. But they certainly tell upon the nerves of a peace-loving man and fill him with awe and fear. They distort his mind and make it avers to humanity, love and pleasure.
An optimist is definitely a much better fighter in the battle of life than a pessimist. The real art of living lies in looking at the brighter side of things. Brave is the man who takes comedies and tragedies alike as they come and go. In fact, that is the attitude of life which can bring maximum success to a man. One should always remember the basic principle of the Holy Quran, “Do you duty and leave the result to God”. All great men have practised this principle and achieved best results of life. If one does the duty without pinning the expectations too high, even small successes bring happiness, joy and stitisfaction. This attitude keeps the mind free from cares, worries and bother-nations. The best wisdom lies in living thoroughly and intensely in the present, deriving lessons from the past, and keeping high ideals for future.
According to the principle of ‘simple living’ and high thinking’ the art of living does not lie in wealth; it lies in being noble and peaceful, in believing in selfness service and struggling for the achievement of the mission for life. Many great men of the present age, like the Quaid, Zafar Mi Khan, Allama Mashriqi and Ziaul Haq, are best examples of simple living and high thinking. These persons had a fire in their mission and achieved miracles in their respective fields.
Most men at present are well-dressed men who live in full glory of modern scientific amenities find still achieve success not only for themselves but also for the community they live in and for the nation they serve. Hence, simple living is, of course, now-a-days not an essential qualification for success in life. Simple living is quite difficult task today as the mode of living in the present world has changed altogether and simple living does not ordinarily equip a person with necessary prerequisites for greatness. Only a God-sent genius can achieve greatness through simple living; a normal human being has got to go through the mill of modern complicated living, the complicated scientific implements of modern publicity before he can be said to have become great. A politician who wants to rise, must make use of loud-speaking apparatus, the TV and the like before and after he achieves something worthwhile in society.
The art of living from the point of becoming great implies moving with the times. No man desiring to achieve greatness can avoid the use of science and technology, if modern life necessitates it.
The art of living again implies a healthy development of mind, body and intellect. Modern life provides all the facilities for the up-keep of the physique, trimmed personality and the sharpened mind. Besides the books and the education, there are the cinema, the TV arid the radio. These instruments keep one abreast of time and keep one’s mind sharp’ and intellect bright. Then there are modern scientific aids which enable one to keep a healthy and bright appearance. If one is not charming, by God’s grace one. can avail oneself of the cosmetics and other make-up aids and look smart and add to one’s personality.
The art of living, thus, in the modern set-up has undergone a sea change. It has become materialistic and worldly-wise. There is less appreciation for selfless service done in a silent way than for a less selfless work done with a lot of publicity and show. It is the recognition that matters, not the real intent and content of achievement. Modern society demands a highly complicated way of living for achievement of any sort. Even religious and spiritual achievements require publicity for being recognised. The art of living, therefore, demands that human beings live up to the expectations of their community and do their best in every way. They should spread an atmosphere of pleasure, smile and laughter and encourage themselves and other to do better things.
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