I used to make a lot of effort to curb down my various emotions. Yet, my feelings always controlled my moments, days and life. Many times, I extrapolated my beliefs and fears to no use. Sometimes, I used to be overwhelmed with excitement and worries about something but they never happened in reality. I thought why not control my feelings if most of the times they yield nothing much. I tried hard. I failed. Then I stopped. I realised, the emotions I go through is the core of my existence. I may be vulnerable at times but they are the reason of my strength. Most importantly, they make me human.
It is good to think about the world but you are also a part of the world. As such, just by taking care of yourself, you will be taking care of the world. Imagine if everyone is self responsible, nobody will need to care for anyone else and we will all be happy. So, raise your own life. Read good books. Eat good food. Do your job well. Live a good life. This in itself is a big contribution to the world. Before you set out to change the world, ask yourself. Have you been able to make the changes your own life requires? If yes, you have done well. If not, take a step back and work on self.
The society applies double standards as per its own convenience. Initially, we are told not to compete with others but all our lives we are compared and given examples of people who are hailed as successful. Initially, we are told money is not everything but all our lives we are judged on the basis of our financial standing. Initially, we are taught from the textbooks but all our lives we are asked to apply practical learnings. In the end, those who break the rules become an example. Those who follow the rules are labelled as failures.
I don’t exactly remember but it’s been a few years now. I started dwelling upon my life and asked one simple question. Am I doing my best? The answer was clear. No, I wasn’t. The pressure of making money and the aspiration of being known to many made me look for shortcut, compromise with quality and camaflouge my ignorance. I took charge. I committed myself to change my direction. The focus shifted from success to utilising my true potential. The competition with others was over. My own assessment became my benchmark. From being a prisoner of world’s expectations, I became a free individual.
Everyone wants to be an investor like Warren Buffet but not willing to stay invested for decades. Everyone wants to be a serial entrepreneur like Richard Branson but not willing to let go the security of a well paying job. Everyone wants to be like Mother Teresa but not willing to spend years in selfless service. Few people take real action to go after what they really want. That’s why few of them reach the pinnacle of life. May be, even if you try hard you may not get to your goal. Still, the sweat in the journey will give you the fragrance of satisfaction your whole life.
My job is to think. I don’t stick to what I already know. I like to find new solutions to already solved questions. I love it when I contradict my earlier thought. The moment I settle down with my routine, I can’t wait to explore new ways to spend my days. I don’t ask people to pay attention to what I have to say. My thoughts, ideas and experiments are for my own consumption. I define my own playground and I make my own rules. I master the game and then challenge myself by changing the rules again.
I am not interested to know how many CEOs you know. It is not exciting to know how many times you appear on television. It least interests me to know how many cars you have. I am not keen to know how many vacations you take. What interests me is to know how many people you have helped. I want to know whether you have time to exercise regularly. I would be inspired if you genuinely sit and talk with your kids every day? You will have my respect if I know that you treat your employees well. I would give your example to others if I find that you always keep your time.
It’s alright if your art is never published. Take your time, even if it is for ever. Refine your creation, over and over again. What you have already made may well become a worldwide sensation but if you think you can improve it, go back and apply a few more brushes on it. People may be in queue to see your craft but don’t be in hurry. All good things take time. Even if your creation is never unveiled in front of the world, the art in itself will feel proud that it’s creator gave her whole life to make the art breathe.
He was a champion. There were no medals left to win. People said his game was perfect. Though he stopped participating in competitions, he still regularly went for his routine practice. It was not a question of being the best in the world. For him it was all about playing the game better. It was not because he feared someone would beat him one day. He was sharpening his skills because only he knew; there was a lot of scope to improve. Nobody could see but only he knew; he was still struggling in some moves. For him, it was a matter of respecting the game that gave him everything in life. The only way to pay his tribute was to play the game better.
The biggest motivation comes when we are in company of successful people. We are most receptive when we listen to learned souls. We are filled with optimism when we know about self made individuals who overcame adversities in their lives. So, the next time you feel low; go out and meet someone who inspires you. When pessimism surrounds you, read stories of heroes who fought and won personal battles. While you are struggling to straighten your own life, a story is in the making. Make sure it inspires someone else, someday.
