In the last few years, I have increasingly seen a couple of elements of Kerala’s culture being hijacked – movies and Onam. As a part of the audience that has a direct relationship with both, I wonder when cultural exchange moves to cultural appropriation.
Recent thoughts, and a conversation, made me wonder if I am in a comfort zone, at least in my non-professional life. Some of it is probably FOMO, since there is so much literature on how growth continues by stepping out of the comfort zone. But it is worth a thought, and probably a good way to provide direction on life ahead.
Our paradoxical needs – to “stand out” and “belong” are both a result of different combinations of happiness, contentment, self image and ego. Ways to make our lives meaningful and/or relevant. Is it possible to live even without that agenda?
Kaamyaab, a movie that I immensely liked for many reasons, once again brought up thoughts on how one defines success. Even when one has moved past societal notions and is only locking horns with self-image, the path is reasonably unclear. I thought I had moved ahead by a step, but came upon a bunch of challenges there too!
In life, and in work, there is a balance that can theoretically be achieved between popularity and prestige. But as time passes, one is more often than not, bound to follow one of these tracks. To the extent that it almost becomes output vs outcome. In a world of signals and perceptions, is one path better than the other, contexts aside?