Fine line of distinction between "Being Disciplined" & "Getting Addicted"
My friend A, after retiring a few years ago, has embraced religion and spirituality wholeheartedly. Every day, she rises early, performs her first set of prayers, enjoys her morning tea, and offers another round of prayers before breakfast. She follows a breathing/meditation schedule before lunch and, just before lighting the evening diya, offers another short set of prayers. Unable to maintain this routine during her career, she's now very satisfied to have "me time" by adhering to this disciplined lifestyle.
Another friend, B, a dedicated runner who used to run at least five marathons a year, has become even more serious about running in retirement. He increased his training to four times a week, up from once a week. His retirement goal is at least one 42-kilometer run every month. His family is supportive, and he's well on his way to living his dream retired life, running to his heart's content. B, too, is happy to lead a disciplined life by consistently maintaining his schedule.
C, a friend who worked abroad for many years and accumulated significant wealth, returned to India and started his own consulting firm. His consulting work requires him to spend considerable time online, reading news, journals, articles, and so on. On average, for every hour he spends interacting with a client, he spends at least five hours online preparing. He's quite successful and content with his disciplined lifestyle of online learning, which he considers essential for his consulting business.
C's son, D, a bright 19-year-old college student, often tops his class. He attributes his success to his mobile phone and laptop, which keep him constantly connected to the internet, where he says he satisfies his curiosity. His parents agree that this has indeed helped him, however they regularly caution him against becoming addicted to browsing.
E is a self-employed and fairly successful professional. He balances his career with his passions, such as painting, blogging at least three times a week, cycling twice a week to stay fit, and reading voraciously. However, his spouse frequently reminds him not to overdo the cycling or music.
In these five examples, while A, B, and C also dedicate significant time to their chosen pursuits, why is it that what older individuals do is often seen as "adhering to a disciplined lifestyle without compromising their principles," while D and E are advised not to become addicted to or overdo their activities, despite their humungous success?
What is the fine line between "doing something regularly in a disciplined manner without compromising it" and "becoming addicted to" or "overdoing" things? For example, in the above cases, why would no one suggest to A that she is addicted to spirituality, or point out to B that he is addicted to running? Wouldn't it be ideal for A, B, and C to reduce the time they spend on these activities and balance them by engaging in other pursuits?
The perception of "addiction" often hinges on societal norms and the perceived impact on other life areas. A, B, and C's activities, while time-consuming, are often viewed as harmless, even beneficial, especially in retirement. However, it's entirely possible to become addicted to prayer, spirituality, or hobbies like running.
Addiction isn't always about the activity itself, but about the dependency and the neglect of other crucial aspects of life. If A's excessive prayer leads to neglecting her health, it becomes problematic. Similarly, if B's running obsession causes injuries or strains his family relationships, it's no longer healthy. C's online research, while necessary for his work, could also become an addiction if it consumes all his time and prevents him from engaging in other activities or resting.
The key difference between disciplined engagement and addiction lies in balance. E's approach, while seemingly scattered, demonstrates a better understanding of this. By diversifying his activities, he avoids over-reliance on any single pursuit. A, B, and C could benefit from adopting a similar approach. Introducing other hobbies, social engagements, or even just quiet relaxation could create a more well-rounded and fulfilling life, preventing their passions from turning into obsessions. A balanced life, with a mix of activities, is often the most sustainable and fulfilling.
The content made available in this article is for general informational purposes only. While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy and completeness of the content, it should not be considered as a substitute for professional consultation.
