In the mood for a melody, and you've got me feeling alright

Duty. Duty over happiness. Duty over fun. Duty over pleasure.

This is definitely a motto I live by in my life. It is not a common motto in America I know. Even in the U.S. Constitution it says "pursuit of happiness." I am very grateful to be in America, and I appreciate all that it has given me and my family.

I, however, have not let really become a focus in my life. A lot of my friends have never really understood that I think. I never considered myself an American, and it is not necessarily an insult to America. I simply do not accept the American culture as my culture. It is very true that outwardly I act like any American. I really believe deep down though I have kept the values and morals of my ancestors from India.

It is not that my values and ethics are better than anyone else. They are just different. I believe that I need to fulfill my duty to my family, to my parents, to my religion, to my friends above anything. Valor and honor and ethics are what guides and sheds light on my life. In the Indian culture, they teach you that your first duty is to your parents because they are the ones that gave you life and sustenance, they are the ones that God chose to raise you. The next duty is to your family, to ensure that everything you do brings honor to them. Your family is your identity, you are just a piece of the puzzle, and if you do not do your duty, then the puzzle shall be incomplete. Finally, the next duty is to religion and God. I have a purpose and reason for being it, it is my duty to figure it out and live my life accordingly.

Helping people see and fulfill their potential is my duty I believe. I am here to help people feel whole and not incomplete. I am here for people's wellness: physical, mental, and spiritual. I am not boasting by any means. I think there is a lot of value in understanding where you are and what you want to do in this world. I think, in fact, it is imperative.

Notice though, that I never mentioned myself. There is not much room for it. Being an individual is very much a western concept. Identity is shaped by who you are and what you achieve. In my culture, though, identity is your parents, complete and utter service and subservience to them. Identity is your family, complete and utter service and subservience to them. Identity is God, complete and utter service and subservience to your religion and duty. A good person in this culture, a successful person in this culture is one who follows this model. A successful person in America though is one who is cunning and can use their talents for social mobility.

Social mobility. Another interesting concept that I definitely think differs in the cultures. One uses his talents and connections to gain social mobility in America. Again, like I mentioned before, this is not a wrong choice, just different to my own. Social mobility in my culture is gained and accessed by how well you are performing your duty. If someone is not taking care of their parents no matter how unfair it might be, they are not performing their duty and thus they are not worthy of any praise.

So, where am I going with any of this. I think all of the above definitely defines me. My friends see that I am not necessarily the most cheerful person or am not actively searching means for happiness. This is true, but the above is the reason why. I am happy when I am fulfilling my duty. It is not easy, and it is not the same happiness that one gets from the "American" search for happiness. I get happiness in the form of satisfaction while others gain happiness from the form of pleasure.

Well that is it for now. I could keep going, but I keep getting yelled at for the length of my posts lol.