Being in the Same Boat

A Story by Arun Sapre

Everyone goes through similar joys and sorrows...because everyone is in the same boat!

Nobody is special or exceptional in all angles. Within the boundary conditions of nature and the need for individual identity, in a way, nobody is different. All are in the same boat with individuality remaining intact. So, in spite of identifiable differences all humans are humans or any other specie on the earth is that specie as we presently know. Tall or short, thin or fat, black or white, strait nose or round nose, curly hair or straight hair etc all are humans. One can call the individual differences as micro differences within the specie. However, broadly all are same within the specie in both holistic sense as also in terms of basic building blocks or body cells. Blood is only red. Individual identities in terms of lineage, age, name and various other angles is an evolved practical aspect of existence and survival. But in one sweep, nature can wipe out everything without difference. Whatever may be the micro differences, humans go through similar cycle and similar existential experiences and crises, such as challenges, struggles, emotions and outcomes. It is worth looking at these bigger similarities within differences.

Within the cycle of birth to death, the challenges faced are similar, although scales may differ with situation and time. Starting with survival in the life span, whatever it might be destined to, the challenge for existence exists at all stages from childhood to old age. But, by and large, ailments are similar and they discriminate none. Challenges of learning, grooming, developing careers, choosing professions, building family, maintaining relationships, cultivating habits/hobbies, nurturing values, shaping lifestyle, serving public causes, tackling adversities, overcoming frustrations, keeping balance etc are there for everyone. Scales and formats may vary, but facing challenges is unavoidable. More the expectations, more the challenges. Taking it easy or go head-on is individual choice. Yet nobody is left out from a variety of challenges.

Struggles one has to go through during the lifespan are there for everyone. For example, very few could claim to have perfect health condition. Battling health deficiencies and occasional infections remains a perpetual struggle for most, although of varying degree. Struggle to grasp the basic skills like language, grasp of subjects while getting educated, communicating with others, acquiring professional expertise, satisfying ambitions, earning for living, strengthening family bonds, finding happiness and peace in a given situation etc are unending endeavours. Problems prop up, search for answers continues and struggle never ends. Overcoming problems, finding solutions and moving on forms the core of struggle for existence for all.

If one looks at joys and sorrows experienced by all, there is much similarity. It is always a mixed bag. You gain some, lose some. The contents may vary. Personal growth, professional achievements, family progress, social gains, financial successes, work satisfaction etc do bring pleasure if it is commensurate with expectations. If the bar is set high, more possibility of disappointments. Beyond that, anything negative becomes a source of sorrow. The failures, losses, deficiencies, accidents, frustrations and traumatic experiences bring sorrows. There are also possibilities of one problem leading to the other and such a chain is particularly painful as the feeling sets in of being unlucky. In fact, losing the tempo and personal balance is the real cause of sorrow. Many find it difficult to come out of such depressing situations. These are more or less common happenings with most.

All have to live with the same nature consisting of same animate and inanimate diversity around. Natural resources are the same for all, their utilisation is similar and their conservation remains a challenge. The diversity has its own logic of interdependence. Any imbalance or deviation in diversity is likely to have detrimental effects. Overuse of natural resources and disturbing biodiversity do have ecological consequences those affect all, including humans. It is just not advisable to dismiss existence of any specie. Living with the diversity in harmony is the right way for all. We have to sail or sink with the same boat, the nature that provides means for human existence along with other species.

Everyone faces uncertainties of all kinds. Challenges and struggles are associated with uncertainties. Targets are missed, choices diminish, opportunities decline, accidents happen, judgements go wrong, situations change, luck goes bust and so on. The end result is that of disappointments and anxieties. Difficult to guarantee about the outcome if expectations are high. Outcomes could be planned for modest ventures, simple destinations. Ambitions are always loaded with uncertainties. There are also certainties which hold good for all. For example, similar lifecycles exist for everybody. Rise, plateau, decline and fall are sure. After birth the only certainty is that of death. What happens in between is an assorted and unplanned set of activities nobody had predicted before. This randomness of destiny is the only certainty for all. Such a floating life full of challenges, struggles, joys and sorrows is certain without exception, for all species.

Experiencing pains and anxieties is common with all. Besides anxieties of existence, there are pains of missing targets, defeats, failures, jinx in relationships, social crises, accidents, unexpected developments and so on. There are also occasions of excitements like crossing a hurdle, reaching a milestone, achieving targets, successes of self as also of others who matter, social/sports/cultural events, national functions etc. There are personal as also common interests involved. There is similarity of causes, similarity of outcomes and similarity in responses. Sharing the burden of pains and participating in excitements is an accepted norm in all groups and communities. After all, most humans are rational and sportive in attitudes and wish to be team players in daily life.

Physically, humans and other species have own life spans and life cycles. The pattern is similar, but varies in magnitudes. Biological clocks keep ticking for all species and do face challenges for survival. Some species also face a problem of extinction within the ambit of climate change and nature’s vagaries. All are in the same boat and struggling to survive as a specie. It is a long drawn struggle. Within the specie, for individual it is a struggle for survival, but the end is certain. Life span has a limit and must end. The similarity is common to all individuals within any specie, although the specie continues and may survive until natural calamity may wipe out everything like what happened to dinosaurs.

For individual there is no exception at the end of life cycle. The only consolation is that the end is common for everybody. It is an accepted reality, nobody can escape. That is the beauty of being in the same boat. Sail or sink together is the truth. No regrets, no complaints, no anger, no joy, no sorrow, being in the same boat has an advantage of not being treated discriminately. In that sense, nature is fair to all. The boat designed by nature is mystical, full of diversity, strong on interdependency, ruthless and accepts existence of all as the basis of individual survival. Remaining on board for the destined life span is the only option available to an individual. In a way, being on the same boat is a privilege and a pleasure to be amongst so many. Live and enjoy nature’s bounty, we must.