For the major part of my life, my father hammered one thread of thought into my head.
He would say, “Child, whatever you do, understand the difference between ambition and greed. There is a fine line that separates the doer’s and the damned.
And what is the difference?’ I asked him.
One is constructive and the other is destructive, he said. One has a conscience, the other does not. Ambition is the desire to achieve something, to discover your potential, to strive to be the best in whatever you choose to do and excel in it. Greed is a selfish desire to hoard at any cost. Ambition can be fulfilled; unfortunately, greed cannot.
The reason why we are at crossroads today is because we are losing the ability to distinguish between the two.
As the years rolled by, those words took on a deeper meaning.
Now, I remain forever in awe of our species. First, for the immense intellect, potential, and perseverance we have and the heights we have reached from our very humble stone age beginnings, and second, for equally immense ability to self-destruct.
Our destructive greed, self-obsession, petty politics, corrupt, overwhelming capitalism, and fanatic extremism are threatening to destroy the very fabric of the human race.
At the peak of our advancement, instead of mastering peaceful co- existence, here we are, still discussing peace, debating climate change, and denying all other species their fair share of the planet. We are unable to sympathize or empathize.
Yes, we are living in challenging times. The common man endures a sense of foreboding impotency, living in a state of suspended animation à la Matrix. He is an unwilling participant in the chaotic global drama unfolding at a dizzying pace fuelled by the endless greed of the political and powerful.
Sadly, the chaos is perpetuated by the very leaders who claim to guide the free world; they have gone rogue, and everyone is paying the price.
No other country has single-handedly wreaked global havoc like the USA. Within its meagre 250 years of existence, it has engaged in more than 500 military interventions globally.
Let that sink in for a moment. America is a country whose economy is built on wars, and is the only country in my opinion that has gone from Discovery to Decadence without a civilisation in between.
We have come to a point where we just cannot turn a blind eye, or like the proverbial ostrich, bury our heads in the sand and pretend that nothing is wrong, because that sand has turned into sticky mud and will choke us soon.
Perhaps it would help us a great deal to go back to basics. The simple, rudimentary lessons needed for a comfortable, secure, and happy society.
We must bring back emotions that are fast disappearing – kindness, warmth and a tiny bit of sensitivity that is the essential fabric of humanity. None of this costs much, yet they yield great results and fill us with hope and happiness. We must realize the importance of co-existing peacefully in the present rather than chasing an uncertain, dystopian future.
The dire need of the moment is not how rich, famous, talented, gifted, or powerful you are – but rather how kind and generous your actions are towards the weak and broken sections of society. This is what will set the example for the coming generations, and this is what will determine the future of the human race.
Compassion is what sets us apart from all other species – let’s not lose it.
Jani Viswanath is a humanitarian, artist, author and film producer who believes in the power of storytelling to inspire peace and empathy. She is dedicated to uplifting lives with stories that bridge cultures and has meaningful impact across communities worldwide.
