The Illusion of True Bonds: Unmasking Selfishness in Human Relationships

[SOURCE:GOOGLE]

"All that glitters is not gold" 

In a world where appearances often deceive and motives remain hidden, human relationships have become a complex web of emotions and motives. While some bonds are genuinely based on love and care, many others are just a mirage of affection, driven by selfish reasons.

A passage from a famous poem by the progressive and humanist poet Professor Ramdhari Singh Dinkar, who inspired and promoted nationalism in the years before independence, suddenly came to mind as I was reflecting on and realizing some painful past events in my life. His poetry was first introduced to me in my high school's Hindi textbook, which reads:

साँई सब संसार में, मतलब का व्यवहार।

 जब लग पैसा गाँठ में, तब लग ताको यार ||

 तब लग ताको यार, यार संग ही संग डोले।

 पैसा रहे न पास, यार मुख से नहिं बोले ॥

 कह 'गिरिधर कविराय' जगत यदि लेखा भाई।

 करत बेगरजी प्रीति, यार बिरला कोई साँई॥

This implies Everyone in the world talks with selfishness and meanness. As long as we have money, as long as everyone remains friends, they go along with us, but when there is no money, they turn away. They don't even speak directly. Girdhar Kavirai says that this is how things are in the world. Nobody typically keeps up a friendship that has no purpose. (Virala here refers to one of many) Everyone in this world, according to the poet, is cruel. Without selfishness, no one makes friends with anyone. All of a friend's friends swirl around him as long as he is wealthy.

Let us delve into Unmasking selfishness in human relationships:

1)Society's Fickle Respect:

People in powerful positions and those who can be useful to them are frequently showered with admiration and respect by society. But as soon as they become less useful, the compliments stop coming, exposing the flimsy nature of these connections.

2)Money as a Conditional Key to Love:

Money can be a defining factor in the way people treat you. When you are prosperous, your friends and family may show you a lot of love and be concerned, but when you are struggling, their fondness frequently dwindles. The unfortunate truth is that sincere emotions often take a backseat in relationships since they are often founded on monetary rewards. What if we redefine the meaning of wealth? Instead of associating it solely with monetary riches, let's understand that true wealth lies in the richness of our character and our ability to empathize and support one another, regardless of financial circumstances. I agree that money can buy you nice things, but it can't buy you great memories with your loved ones, it can build a house, but it can't make people live there and it can even buy you delicious food, but it can never satisfy a human need

3)Fair-weather Friends:

सुख के सब साथी, दुःख में ना कोई।

"In happiness, you find a crowd; in sorrow, you find none around."

The terrible reality is that everyone wants to join in the celebrations on happy occasions, but they disappear during difficult times. True relationships are those that stand the test of time, yet in today's transactional environment, such ties have become scarce.

4)The Era of Pretentious Love:

In the age of social media, many people showcase fake concern and love. Everything we do now is "online" due to the advancement of technology and the decline in in-person interactions, especially for adolescents who are so closely tied to the internet that they attempt to post everything there. individuals strive to impersonate themselves to attract the attention of individuals they don't even know, whether it be with their life, their bodies, or their possessions! On social media, we frequently decide to fake ourselves, hiding our true selves.

5)The Envy and Secret Motives:

 

Even those who are closest to you can become dishonest due to envy. These (snakes) hide under your sleeves and pose as your supporters, but their hearts are filled with resentment. Although this tendency is widespread, it may be particularly pronounced in Indian society because of the prevalence of social hierarchies and rivalry.

Conclusion :

 

Let's strive to be better individuals, fostering a culture of empathy, authenticity, and genuine connections. While we cannot change others' intentions, we can strive to be authentic in our relationships. True bonds are based on love, care, and empathy, not on material gains or societal status. Let's encourage one another rather than compete by choosing compassion over enmity. Let us unmask the illusions of human relationships and embrace a future where genuine connections thrive, bringing true happiness and fulfillment to our lives.