How much of Autopilotism is there in our lives?

Hi!! Welcome back to LeisureReadz- your weekend destination for interesting readz! Today's post is about a very interesting topic 'The Autopilot'. Please don't get confused thinking of this as a technical post. The Autopilot refers to the automated modes that we have or are activated in our lives making it more mechanical day by day. So without any delay, let’s start with the leisure read called 'The Autopilot'.
There’s Marathi movie called “Ek unaad diwas” which literally translates into “One carefree day”. The movie is about a business executive who despite having a loving family does not understand its importance and emotions but is rather too practical oriented in all areas of his life. Things change when on his birthday, he gets a chance to spend his day without his car and his cell phone; he accepts it and ends up enjoying the day as never before. All this makes him realize how mechanical his life had become and what things he had been missing all the years of his life. It’s a great movie with a subtle yet simple message “Work hard but stop frequently along the path to smell the flowers”. Worth watching! :) So, now how this is connected to today’s topic? You may ask. I admit that it’s an inspirational movie and I must have watched it couple of times. It does inspire me every single time. Writing a blog, generating new ideas for posts is never an easy job they say, but as I was thinking for this week’s post, I did not know what to write. Just as I remembered this movie, Ta-Da! I had my topic!!! Well, you can say that today’s topic is largely inspired from the basic idea of the above said movie. It made me think about the prevalence of an Autopilot in our lives.
What is Autopilot in a life really? Ideally it means the motor skills which become a part of our everyday lives, for which we do not have to think or focus on totally. Such adaptable tasks of the day or the week or may be even the month, if automated as if on an Autopilot, would certainly take away a small amount of pressure from our daily stressed out lives and not let us feel burned out all the time anymore. This seems to have extended and found a way deeper into our lives today beyond its intended function. Besides, we too seek to automate as many tasks in our lives as possible with a sole aim of getting some free time. In today's competitive world, the constant desire to be 'the best' @ something; we all are trying harder than our normal capacities. We are busy 24x7, running like we're tied to the clock. It might be unintentional in nature but no denying the fact that we are becoming increasingly dependent on our electronic gadgets to do most of our jobs. That includes remembering names and numbers, doing simple calculations, remembering birthdays and anniversaries, even reminders for some important tasks etc. Although, some people reading this might say 'what's wrong with that? It's all good'. ‘Well it gives us time to do what we like!” The question is do we really spend time in doing what we like? Well, in fact, that’s the whole debate.
As a matter of fact, we end up too much time in virtual socializing on apps these days that we actually forget to spend time with real people. Wishing people on their special days through sms or WhatsApp is common. Even greeting emails can be automated to be sent at a particular time and date. It may still mean we care for them or love them as much but where’s the personal touch in that? Can it compete with a phone call or personal meeting? Just try and ask the concerned person sometime. The answer might surprise you. The level of joy, love, appreciation and care are definitely different in both the cases. While it might be OK to wish your acquaintances through a text message or email; however, your family, relatives and close friends deserve better. They have been with you through all times, so inquiring their welfare once in a while is a good idea. Shows that you too care for them. I am no different than you all! Even at times, I have to remind myself to call people instead of sending a message. That happens! My Autopilot seems activated at such times! :) Apart from all this, even when we are at home, we at times are tied up in ourselves that we unintentionally tend to ignore the people around us. Thus too much of an autopilot there; living life without actually living.

Ask yourself these questions to find out whether you have been living on an Autopilot till now.
1. You remember important days and events of your near and dear ones; call them personally or send
a signed greeting card by mail or self delivery :)
2. You remember to do something for yourself once in a while
3. You make it a point to spend some time with family and friends once or twice a month
4. You can identify small things which give you happiness and you make a conscious effort to do them often
5. You focus on personal development apart from seeking professional growth
6. You find yourself at peace even in times of difficulty and can think rationally by focusing on
finding the solution to the problem. If you answered yes to all questions, then congratulations! You are totally in control of your life and its great feeling. And, in case if you have answered no to some of these questions, then don’t worry just flip the switch to Manual and regain the control. May be start doing little things on a regular basis and see the happiness of you and your near ones increase multi fold.

Well, now this was something from my point of view. What's yours? Feel free to share your views and opinions in the comments section below.

Till the next post,
Enjoy life and share happiness!

Cheers,