Are you able to help yourself ? - Part 1

Since the invention of sliced bread, there has never been a time where we were more technologically and intellectually advanced than we are today. And yet the same time, Suicide, Depression, Divorce, Social fragmentation seems to have hit an all-time high.

Oh, yes! we have invented a quick intellectual solution to counter these issues of 21st century also –– Self Help ! In 2016, the U.S. self-help industry was worth about $9.9 billion dollars, according to a report from Research and Markets. Market researchers have predicted that the industry will be worth $13 billion dollars within the next three years, by 2022.

What is "Self Help" industry? This industry generates tons of self-help books (like "You can Win", "The power of positive thinking", "You can heal your life", etc), blogs, TV Shows, Positive TED talks, social media GIF's –– all produced and directed by Self-help Guru's, Life Coaches and sometimes by digital APP's also! And what is their core message: you have the power or potential within you to be what you want –– a millionaire, a slim model, or find that elusive happiness or attain more success at work and with your relationships.

After reading –– and trying the techniques ––  of some self-help books myself, I have often been left wondering whether happiness is like spotting that "circular rainbow" or "Pink Elephants". They come once in a while and by the time you realize they are there, they are gone. I once spotted –– for a brief moment –– a pink Elephant in the Kruger National Park, South Africa (believe me, I couldn't turn on my camera on time!). 

However, contrary to what we experience, self-help theories abounds which states, we have everything we need within ourselves and therefore, all we need to do is look deep down inside for the answers we seek. But the more we look inside ourselves, we not only see an absence of answers but even more questions! Technological advancements have enabled us to get connected with everyone everywhere simultaneously and yet data indicates that "loneliness" is the single biggest cause of teen suicide globally. 

All this only points towards a solution outside ourselves. I will write more of this "God-sized vacuum" felt within our hearts in a subsequent post. And, until then, please write to me whether you were able to succeed all by yourself without any outside help.