Describe a problem you've solved or a problem you'd like to solve. It can be an intellectual challenge, a research query, an ethical dilemma - - - anything that is of personal importance, no matter the depth or scale. Explain its significance to you and what steps you took or could be taken to identify a solution.
“Will I ever be happy?” is a question that we have all asked ourselves at one point in our lives, Sure we may experience short-term pleasure whenever we experience positive experiences, however the kind of happiness I am pertaining to in regards to my problem is fulfillment. Reaching fulfillment is a daunting task because of the sheer amount and complexity of our needs. We need to satisfy our biological demands, to feel safe, to be understood, to be loved, to be accepted, to have purpose and meaning, to have a cohesive sense of self, to resolve inner conflicts and to accept our own mortality. So it comes as no surprise why so many people are never satisfied with their lives.
Now, combine this with the “rat race” of modern life and the task almost seems impossible. We have developed a compulsion to be ambitious, eager, and over-achieving individuals. We constantly fight through ranks in order to get to the top, because we think this will bring us true happiness. Modern living may have revolutionized the comfort we experience in life, however it has also created an endless and vicious cycle of instant gratification. We think we can find fulfillment through money, diets, cosmetics, cars, games, trends, fashion, and status, but this is extremely unlikely. And even though money can buy a certain amount of happiness it doesn’t change the fact that these serve as diversions from the reality that we face. Even though we can be dissatisfied for different reasons, the essence of dissatisfaction itself is a reliable constant.
The term “rat race” is defined as a way of life in which people are caught up in a fiercely competitive struggle for wealth or power. In my own life this is related to my academic experiences. Society is ruthless, and academic accomplishments are positively correlated with income and opportunity. The primary motivation for me to strive towards my educational goals is not just aspiration but sadly it is also fear. The future is distressing because it is unknown, and despite my achievements, I would be dishonest if I were to say that I am invulnerable. I am terrified of the possibility that I, myself will be trapped in a rat race, an endless, self-defeating, pointless pursuit. Instead of passion and being the root of your choice, you are compelled to choose jobs that provide a higher income.
This brings me to my final point, happiness will never be “purchasable” no matter how much we lie to ourselves trying to believe it. We think that as long as we escape the rat race, make a lot of money, and work hard we will eventually reach fulfillment. However we are fools to hold this sense of entitlement over the world. Yes, your environment can help you reach fulfillment, however it is not entirely dependent on outside factors. In truth satisfaction starts with the self; you are the only one that can change your future.
This was the essay I wrote for my Junior Year scholarship application. But if I could rewrite it I would've added this
"Modern life has created all sorts of loops of self-satisfaction and gratification, whether the end goal is reaching fame, prestige, wealth, or power, the only purpose of these loops is to gain a sense of fulfillment in our lives and distract us from our own mortality. Soon we develop this compulsion for competition and hierarchy, we want to be the best. We all want to be at the top, we want to be the happiest people in the world. Except happiness can mean a lot of things. The dilemma that I chose for this essay would be "How to reach fulfillment in modern life?". And I am not implying that is impossible, after all we have monks, priests, pastors, gurus, and funnily enough yoga instructors who have all claimed to reach fulfillment and satisfaction in their lives.
The problem now occurs with "how". How exactly does a person become fulfilled, and what desires or needs have to be satisfied in order to do so?
I believe at the core of humanity, we all have this selfish, desperate, and pri>mal need to not be alone. Maybe it is natural selection that's given us this fear, or perhaps it is the instinct of a child to fear being neglected by it's caretaker, or the biological aspect of reproduction and creating a new generation. One thing is sure, we humans do not like loneliness. We buy all sorts of things in order to solve that, make-up(to appease to societal beauty standards), designer clothing(to elevate our social status), the latest air-fryer(an attempt to fit in with the community of local moms), a Netflix subscription(Lord forbid we miss out on the trendiest shows). What I am trying to get at here is modern life has made happiness and fulfillment advertisable, therefore has made it purchasable.
We human beings desire connection. Honest, genuine, and intimate connection; a connection that cannot simply be bought. In my opinion this special bond can truly satiate that need----the need to not be alone."