In Quest Of ‘Security’

Every individual, in a decisive phase of his life leaves the secure bubble of his family life and starts his own journey in this dog-eat-dog world. This is the period from which his quest for ’security’ takes a serious mode. We all want security, both physical and principally, psychological.

Psychological security would mean ample resources to live a lifestyle that we want and with minimum possible hurdles. It would mean good money, healthy relationships and absolute fun. So, If we were psychologically secure, then we might not be so concerned with physical security. But human beings yearn for more than they can digest and as such the search for psychological security is a never ending mission. And without this psychological security, he does not get a feel of the physical security.

We seek security in our relationships, in a group, in the country we live in. And yet this country is against another on several fronts. In demanding psychological security we have divided ourselves in religions: the Hindu, the Muslim, the Jew, the Arab, the believer in Jesus, the believer in something else – in all of them there is the demand for security. Psychological security has been sought in these illusions; the various illusions of being secure in Catholicism, in Buddhism, in Hinduism, in Judaism, Islam and so on which have created nothing but illusory securities because they are all fighting each other.

There is conflict between the two and one has sought security in the one or the other. And then one realizes that they are both based on illusions. The moment you see this, you do not belong to anything because you have sought security in illusions. There are many such illusions around us – nationalities, class, different gods, different beliefs, different dogmas, different rituals etc. etc.

The same situation exists in our business world. Every business is doling out products and services and vying for the ‘best product’ or ‘best service’ slot. Reaching this slot gives them a sense of achievement and security. The position at the top may be momentary, because soon you will have a rival claiming to win the same spot. But this momentary position gives a lot of security to the directors, shareholders, employees, markets, and investors and of course the nation to which the business belongs.

Businesses are continually at war to establish the best possible brands in the markets. They know that an established brand would give them a long-term security. And why not?

And yet, as in individual’s life, business environment too faces the challenges of economic churns, disruptive technologies and ‘acts of god’! The images of established ’security’ change rapidly and the resultant situation adds to the lack of psychological security of individuals involved. The recent global financial chaos is a testimony to this.

So it would not be wrong to say that each business is actually in the business of achieving ’security’. Be it obtained through industry awards, terrific brands or through other brand ambassadors.

The truth remains that absolute security is a myth. Be it in personal life or in professional life. I am not suggesting that we do not plan for the future at all, but definitely not at the cost of our ‘present’ which will never return.

So it is imperative that we as professionals learn to deal with insecurity and enjoy the ‘current’ phase. I thought it apt to write this article in my blog with an intention to rationalize the expectations of individuals I know, who are getting wholesomely worried and totally engrossed in trying to secure their future, hoping that one day they would succeed and live a life better than the saints in heaven.

To conclude on a better note: ‘We all sail in the same boat’.

Related posts:

1. Conflicts And The Factor Of Time
2. Fear – A Dangerous Illusion
3. There Is a Lot More To Your Visiting Card!
4. Who Am I?
5. Analyzing Conflicts

Tags: acts, ample resources, believer, Blog, buddhism, business world, catholicism, decisive phase, dog eat dog, dogmas, healthy relationships, hindu, hinduism, human beings, hurdles, illusions, jew, judaism islam, physical security, religions, rituals, serious mode