Today is all we have

Yesterday, what we have ‘today’ was ‘tomorrow’. But, we wasted yesterday worrying and planning about ‘tomorrow’. Now, that ‘tomorrow’ is here as ‘today’. And, what are we doing today? Again, worrying and planning about tomorrow. Will tomorrow ever come? Life is made up of only ‘todays’. If we could live our ‘todays’ 100%, we would have lived our entire life 100%, otherwise we are sure to waste this greatest gift called ‘life’ in ‘yesterdays’ or ‘tomorrows’. The only benchmark of living is asking "Am I living today?" The only benchmark of progress is asking "Have I become a better human being at the end of today?"

Going against Conscience

Mr. Vohra, talking in a lighter vein, has made a serious point in his piece “Ever tempted to do the wrong thing?” (Wknd. June 9, 2017). Who can truly declare that he / she would never go against his/her conscience, no matter what the temptation or price is? Vohra admits that he is fortunate enough not to have his price line tested as yet. Even Mahatma Gandhi had said, “Have I that nonviolence of the brave in me? My death alone will show that. If someone killed me and I died with prayer for the assassin on my lips, and God’s remembrance and consciousness of His living presence in the sanctuary of my heart, then alone would I be said to have had the nonviolence of the brave.”

So long as we have any value for things that the World can offer – money; sensual pleasures; power; name; or fame, we have potential to fall. And, we cannot know this until our price line is tested in real life. In my own life, I have followed a few pointers to keep me on course and in line with my own conscience: “Will I be able to face my mother or my children with pride after doing this act? Will I be able to sleep well after falling for this temptation?” For the future, all I can do is to deeply understand the true worth of the World’s temporary offerings and raise my price line so high that it never crosses my path.

Don't Give up

Yesterday, while walking on the Corniche in Abu Dhabi, I met an old acquaintance. We discussed the current recession in the market and hard to find opportunities. He advised, “Don’t give up looking for opportunities.” Almost spontaneously, I said, “I won’t give up until Nature gives up on me.”

Later, I started reflecting on my involuntary response. Nature, indeed, is the toughest task master. Every atom has a place and purpose in the nature. Nothing can survive against nature’s wish. And, if I am kept alive by the nature, then surely there is some task of the nature yet to be performed through me. Even with the best of my abilities, I cannot see what nature can see. Why not, then, let nature guide me and show the way? Whatever is designed for me would appear before me at the right time and right place. And, who am I to take the decision? Nature would dictate her decision through me. After all, it is nature’s responsibility to complete what she has planned. My worrying about the future is meaningless. I simply need to remain available and receptive (both physically and mentally) for her signals.

Nature’s signals can come from anywhere, anytime, at any place and in any form. It may come in a flash of idea, or in a random message, or in an idle conversation with a friend, or through a set-back, or from an adversary’s mean action, or while watching TV, or while reading a book, and so on. The list is endless. I shouldn’t disregard anything without subjecting it to due diligence. Thirty seven years ago, I disregarded the interview call from ADNOC while working in Oil India Limited, Assam (India), as I didn’t like the role being offered. Some close friends persuaded me to attend the interview in Delhi, despite my great reluctance. This trip paved the way for my future in Abu Dhabi. Many such life-changing incidents have taught me to remain open and receptive to all signals, including those I dislike.

With my limited knowledge, I can never know what is best for me. Nature knows best and I better follow her signals. I am still on the journey. How can I give up before Nature gives up on me?

Seeing the Unseen

“The trouble with being an Unseen” (wknd. 24 Feb 2017) must have touched a deep chord in many hearts. I see a hint of sadness behind humorous depiction of Unseen’s failed attempts to draw attention, having experienced the same myself at many occasions. Of late, I have realized that others don’t see us because we don’t see ourselves in the first place. What I mean is we fail to accept and appreciate ourselves ‘as we are’. And, in the process of imitating others, we lose our authenticity. This reflects in our body language making us ‘Unseen’.

It is like a vendor selling some merchandise. Nobody will pay him/her even a cent more than the price tag fixed by the vendor for those merchandise. Whatever value the seller assigns to his/her produce, the same value buyer will pay or negotiate. So, it is up to us – what value we assign to ourselves. Treat yourself with respect & dignity and the whole world would do the same to you. 

Fear is the Key to Courage

The interview with Ms. Sushmita Sen (“Queen of the Universe”, wknd., 17 Feb 2017) was thought-provoking. I am still trying to decipher what she meant by “When you hold on to fear long enough, it turns into courage.”

Fear arises from some perceived risk/threat – loss of job, loss of relationship, loss of health, loss of reputation, and so on. Some of these risks may be credible based on facts, while others may just be baseless apprehensions, which mind is good at producing. If we give-in to any fear, it has the power to ruin our peace and happiness. But, if we analyse the fear’s root-cause and deal with it through specific actions, then this  perhaps is what Sushmita meant as ‘Courage’.

Sometimes, even after putting in all the conscious efforts, we are unable to deal with the fear’s cause. At this point, I believe, one has to surrender to the higher power of the nature which is controlling the entire universe so meticulously. In the moments of such a total surrender, mind is inspired with new thoughts, which can open-up new paths not seen before. We can thus use fear to our advantage. Sushmita Sen has clearly demonstrated this in her own life.