The Drunkard Search for the Keys

8 min readJul 21, 2024

To err is human, but to blame somebody else (computer, government and God are the easiest targets) for your follies is even more so.

Nearly all of us have a habit of mourning or cursing our problems and instead of solving them, we keep complaining. Sometimes it is a break-up, other times it is galloping inflation. Continuous problems, like suffering, are there as the result of not accepting life as it is. Although, it is believed that when we complain we focus on a negative experience, complaining is not always bad as it connects people (one needs a partner of listen to), makes one feel better having vented, and can lead to feeling validated. Moreover, some are of the view that it is a social tool if done in moderation. It shows we’re real and not fake about our thoughts on life and the situations around us.

However, it is not good for our mental health to complain too much. Especially when we are habitual whiners (or have imaginary problems too) and keep complaining without any solid reason. This, according to some psychologists, can also stem from bad moods or personality traits and too much complaining can worsen our mood, instead of improving it. It can also make us feel helpless, and lead to a negative outlook on life.

Regardless, the root cause of all this attitude is that we always try to find the cause of the problem (real or not so real) outside of us. When we keep looking outside, we are doomed to fail to see our inner world of thoughts. It lives and rules in a state of unawareness. We live life mechanically and hence, we suffer mechanically — without any awareness. Unless we allow awareness to guide our lives, we will be like a drunkard lost in the drunkenness.

Here is an interesting anecdote to have a more clear idea of what I intend to convey:

A policeman sees a drunk man searching for something under a streetlight and asks what the drunk has lost. Drunkard says he lost his keys and they both look under the streetlight together. After a few minutes the policeman asks if he is sure he lost them here, and the drunk replies, no, and that he lost them in the park. The policeman asks then why he is searching here, and the drunk replies, “this is where the light is”.

What this anecdote teaches us is that we must know that many of our painful feelings (or problems) are caused by internal turmoil. We live our lives suffering from all kinds of these inner hurts including: insecurity, loneliness, anger, bitterness, resentment, fear, and sadness. But we keep looking for the respite elsewhere.

Thus the real problem is that, instead of finding the solution within and correcting our perspective, we try (and find it easier) to blame someone or something else. In other words we need a scapegoat to absolve ourselves of any responsibility and, like drunkard, keep searching for the keys under the streetlight, after having lost them in the park or somewhere else.

Image credit: https://sketchplanations.com/looking-under-the-lamppost

Interestingly, in addition to blaming others people, some even blame natural occurrences or specific species for all the problems in the world. For instance, some blame solar or lunar eclipse, especially in India, being the cause of wars and destruction (freeing the military-industrial complex from any kind of guilt); some blame No. “13” for bad luck (in Norse mythology, the god Loki was 13th to arrive at a feast in Valhalla, where he tricked another attendee into killing the god Baldur). Researchers in the West estimate that as many as 10 percent of the U.S. population has a fear of the number 13, and each year the even more specific fear of Friday the 13th, known as paraskevidekatriaphobia, allegedly results in financial losses in excess of $800 million annually, as people avoid marrying, travelling or in the most severe cases, even working. Some blame the poor “Black Cat” for not only for bad luck but also for unfortunate death. This superstition is said to have its root in medieval times, when an animal with dark feathers or fur, including crows and ravens, signalled death. Thus there is always some scapegoat, but nobody has the courage to take responsibility and accept that they themselves are the problem and also solution at the same time.

Another quote describes the truth more elaborately:

Below is another interesting story that will give you a more clear idea of what I am trying to convey:

The Ominous Face:

“There lived in Delhi (India) a merchant called Harichand. The poor man was loathed and feared by the people for no fault of his own. As the people of India had (and still have) many superstitions (like their western counterparts who abhor No. 13, Black cat, walking under the ladder etc. as has been already mentioned) and thus held irrational or absurd beliefs in the power of unknown or supernatural influence. So the Harichand was also notorious (more than East India Company) for having an ominous or baleful face and anyone who saw his face in the early morning would go without food that day.

When emperor Akbar (the greatest of the Mughal emperors of India who reigned from 1556 to 1605) heard about the unfortunate man and stories related to him, he became curious. To know the truth, one day he ordered to bring that man to court to know whether the story had any weight.

Next day, when Akbar was on his way to dining room, Harichand was brought to him. At the same time a messenger came to him to inform him about the illness of the queen that was becoming a serious health matter. Hearing this, the emperor immediately left the dining table without eating anything and remained with the queen until noon. After that he got busy with the court affairs and could not eat anything the whole day. Ultimately, he felt tired and fell sick.

Doctor was called and emperor was advised to take some rest and also some prescribed nutrients/supplements.

However, as Akbar could not take his usual food the entire day, he was now sure that Harichand was really a sign of bad omen and thus ordered him to be executed.

When Akbar’s adviser Birbal (also an important minister and commander of the Mughal Empire and mostly known in the Indian folk tales for his sharp wit and wisdom) heard this, he secretly met Hirachand and spoke some words in the poor man’s ears.

Hirachand is now brought to court before Akbar, and as advised by Birbal, tells Akbar’s face is even worse than his without fearing a bit as he knew that he was going to die soon. Akbar (controlling his rage) asks, how? Hirachand says that he is going to be executed after seeing Akbar’s face. So whose face is more ominous? Akbar realizes that it was Birbal whose intelligent counsel was speaking through the mouth of Harichand. He acknowledges his mistake and frees and Hirachand with some gifts and appreciates Birbal for saving an innocent man.

Here is another version of the story:

“During Emperor Akbar’s reign, there was a poor man in Agra who was thought to bring bad luck. People believed that if any one looked at his face in the morning they would have a bad day.
Get lost you ugly fellow! He would be cursed by one and all. Hide you face before you kill someone with your evil eye!
The emperor soon heard of this man’s reputation and wanted to see him. The poor fellow who had not harmed a single person in his life, was brought to Akbar.
Akbar took a look at him and walked him to be brought back in the evening.
That particular day was an especially full and tiring day for the emperor and his courtiers.
So, many matters had to be attended to , that Akbar even forget to eat. By the end of the day the emperor was exhausted.
To make matters worse, Akbar was informed his favourite child, little Prince Salim had fallen ill.
Then the emperor suddenly remembered that he had seen the face of the unlucky man that morning.
That was it. It was that man’s entire fault, Akbar decided going to have unlucky man executed. All of them agreed immediately.
That is all expect Birbal. Instead Birbal let out a short laugh.
What is the matter, Birbal? asked the emperor. You seem to find something funny
Nothing your majesty, replied Birbal.
You say this man brings bad luck because you had to go without food ever since you saw him this morning. Look at his luck. Your’s was the first face he saw today, and he has to die because of it. So who is more ominous?
Akbar immediately realized his folly and after freeing the so-called unlucky man rewarded Birbal for his wisdom.”

Regardless of the different versions, the story gives us a very impressive message:

The problem is not the problem, it is our attitude about the problem that is a real problem. The ability to take a step back and re-frame what’s actually in front of us at the very moment has always been a powerful tool. Start listening to your thoughts to see if you have a tendency to track or lean toward negativity. In other words, it is often changing the perspective that solves the problem. And as some Buddhists point out, changing the perspective is like opening the new window to view the world in a new way. When you change how you view it, you change how you feel about it.

However, if you are a habitual whiner and love to complain, you do not need solutions. Instead, you need problems like fish need water. Because if your problems are solved, your ability to complain will be undermined and you will get bored or irritated. Complainers need listeners, not problem solvers. As simple as that.

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