Other side of the fence

We all look for validation, appreciation, admiration, being liked and even to be feared of at times. When we are on social media, when we are in a meeting room or a party, we all look for likes, comments and shares or its equivalent to that medium. How nice is it to be liked? How great is it to be admired? Does it add value to our lives? I ponder on this thought after I visited the Bannerghatta national park with my son. 

We were tired, thirsty. Adith, my son, was super excited seeing the animals. We were almost at the end of the trail and there was a lion sitting, turning away from us, behind the grids. The lions movement was confined to that fenced area. He must have been tired or even drugged. All the elders and kids were disappointed and moved away to look at the birds that were chirping at a distance. My parents were tired and sat down a little behind, near the lion. We saw the birds and came back to join my parents and BANG!! the lion got up. All of us rushed to the fence from where we could see HIM majestically stroll. The lion came near the fence, gave us all a look and walked near, so close, along the fence. 

Everyone clicked pictures and videos. They all admired, appreciated and loved the lion. Some were even scared of the lion. How majestic, people exclaimed. 

But lets just look at it from the other side of the fence. The KING OF THE FOREST does not rule a forest. He doesn't hunt. I am pretty sure he isn't as happy as he would be in a free forest. 

So, what's important? Everyone calling us the kind? Wanting to take selfie with? Admiring our majesty? scared to come near? What's really important? Being happy is. 

In our lives we try to put ourselves in a fenced, restricted area in order to get the admiration, validation and appreciation. While we think that is all we want, we are forgetting the huge, dense forest that can give us the freedom to explore, freedom to choose, the freedom to live as happy as one can be. Lets not just be the LION that people point at as the king of the forest without a real forest to rule. The Lion wasnt there by his choice, I suppose. But we are.