Define the priorities of your life in order to live life king size

You know what – we presume our life to be a long journey where we will have ample time to do things that we want to. But we are mistaken. Life is too short and by the time this truth dawns on us, it is too late to start anew.

To live life to the hilt, it is mandated that you must know how to live life complete in all aspects. The next question that arises is how to go about it? The answer is very simple and obvious, but the catch is that we procrastinate things for later, thinking why to take pains when it can be done afterwards.

To live life king-size, you need to list out the things or activities or pursuits that you want to indulge in or are passionate about and want to taste these things at least once in this short blissful life that we are blessed with. You must list them in the order in which they hold significance for you or in order of their precedence over other activities. Please understand that these priorities differ with every individual. What is of significance to me will be of no concern to you.

Let’s illustrate this with the help of an example. Suppose an empty glass jar is placed on a table. You get white marbles, somewhat big in size and put them in the jar until it is full. Now, you get some smaller marbles and put them in the jar. Still, there is unfilled space in the jar, so you fill these spaces in the jar with small granules. Lastly, you fill the jar with white sand which covers all the empty gaps filling the jar completely.

This is a reflection of how incomplete our life is and shows us the path to make it complete and satisfying. The glass jar is a reflection of our life and the ingredients in it reflect our priorities, based on the importance they enjoy in our life. Once we have defined the priorities, we must work on taking them up one by one and doing them with perfection and enthusiasm, as if there is no tomorrow.

‘’Sailing in two boats at the same time will take us nowhere’’. Hence it is imperative to work on your life’s objectives and priorities, and once you are clear on it, chalk out a plan of action, and going forward make it a reality. With every passing day and your coming closer to fulfilling the life’s priorities, will fill you with inner joy and satisfaction, making your life complete.

Be specific with respect to your priorities in life and work towards accomplishing them, making your life meaningful.

Relationships – Can two walk together, except they be agreed?

Let’s talk about relationships in a general context – be it with friends, parents, spouse or siblings. All of us experience bitterness in relationships at some point of time in our lives. Do we ever ponder over the cause of such bitterness creeping into our relationship and making it void.

When I thought about it, I realized that we are so obsessed with ourselves – our ambitions, our feelings, our thoughts that we barely give room to other’s feelings, which creates hollowness in the relationship.

In the fast paced life of today, we hardly get time to mingle with our near and dear ones; but it is not about the number of hours you give them, but the quality time you spend with them. This is your time and you must shower your love, care, affection and respect on them. These are the emotions that make your bond stronger with time. Loving someone and showing it by doing something for them is good, but it is also important to express love by way of words and gestures. It gives vent to your emotions and lets the other person know of your hidden feelings, letting that bitterness disappear within fraction of a second. 

Another important factor, in a relationship is hurt management. It is normal to get hurt very easily, but what matters is your knowing how to manage it. Say for instance, someone tells you, ‘’you are a monkey’’, and you get hurt, thinking all the while how can anyone call you a monkey. This gets into your mind and you feel hurt and offended. This is because you are a slave to your mind. On the contrary, you must have full control over your mind, to avoid being a victim to such problems. This is where meditation comes in which helps you regain control over your mind and make you stronger to handle these situations tactfully. Have you ever seen a wind blowing in your face and then moving away? In the same way, we should not let these issues enter our mind and heart. The moment these hurting issues hit us, without finding a place in our mind and heart they should go away. Once, we bring it into practice in our day-to-day affairs, all other lower emotions springing from it such as anger, frustration, irritation, depression will vanish into thin air. The absence of these lower emotions will help in nurturing and nourishing our relationships and making them fulfilling and satisfying.

One last point I will like to outline is that you must always patiently listen to what other have to say on any subject or topic, even if you are not in harmony with it. This will help in fostering a strong bonding and can also give vital inputs on the topic that may prove to be of great help to you.

Always remember, that your efforts must be directed towards making your relationship ‘’BETTER’’, not ‘’BITTER’’…..

Simplicity: In Character, In Manners, In Style, In All Things the Supreme Excellence Is Simplicity

"The most agreeable of all companions is a simple, frank man without any high pretensions to an oppressive greatness – one who loves life, and understands the use of it; obliging alike at all hours; above all, of a golden temper, and steadfast as an anchor. For such an one we gladly exchange the greatest genius, the most brilliant wit, the profoundest thinker."

Have you ever observed that in the fast paced life of today, we are so busy trying to keep up with all the changes and developments taking place all around us, that we fall prey to these external objects, in turn compromising on our simple demeanour. When everyone in our social circle is talking about new gadgets in the market, different brands and maintaining the social status among other things, we cannot help but give in to such social pressures, keeping our simplicity at bay. This is the real challenge wherein we need to keep our simple nature intact and unaffected by the complexities and commercialization of the outside world. This does not mean that you stop socializing, mixing with people and having fun. At a deeper level, it means that you should have an active social life, have discussions about everything, for instance – any new brand that has been launched, today’s fashion statement because this is the age of information. You should be well-informed with respect to anything and everything that is taking place around you. The bottom line is that you must not be influenced by it to the extent that it transforms you from a simple person to a complex individual. For this, you have to be judgmental as to what is important should be imbibed and what is superficial should be left out.

What is most important in today's times is just "BEING YOURSELF". Happiness and joy is not limited to your going to big restaurants and splurging money on expensive objects. You can derive pleasure by taking your family or friends for a surprise outing to an eating joint selling Pao Bhaji or Chaat. It need not be expensive, but the cheerful faces of your close relations will give you joy and satisfaction.

Do what makes you happy. Any work that you undertake, you must enjoy it, then only it will give you inner satisfaction and joy. When you take up any task as a burden, it will generate boredom and monotony, and will not be done in a perfect manner.

Your innocence and simplicity will help you live this life to the full with zeal and enthusiasm, bringing forth that "small child" within you, which is always playful and happy. Never let that "Small Child" within you go away because then only you can take in the beauty, this world offers you.

Our simplicity upholds the trueness of the idiom "Simple Living High Thinking".

Experience the magic of simplicity once, and you will be addicted to it…..

LIFE: Living In Freedom - an Enquiry

"Managing Life Creatively"

''Let your life lightly dance on the edges of time like dew on the tip of a leaf.''

This two-day workshop chaired by Swami Sukhbodhananda, better known as "Corporate Guru" and "International Spiritual Guru" was for the first time hosted in Lucknow, the capital city of Uttar Pradesh. I was quite lucky to be a part of this interactive workshop and get some valuable insights to lead a balanced and fulfilling life. I will share these valuable inputs with you which will help transform your life, assisting you to make the most of this divine life and revel in the beauty of the nature, the ultimate creation of the Lord.

There are five basic zones that as an individual we need to manage to lead a satisfying life. We will discuss each one of them separately. Let's start with the "Family Zone" which has been your pillar of strength and support throughout. Family does not simply imply your parents, siblings and spouse, but it also broadly incorporates your friends, relations, and your social circle. Apart from fulfilling your designated responsibilities towards them, you must take some time out from your busy schedule to spend with them and have fun. This will help in generating a positive aura and blissful surroundings with happy and joyful faces all around.

The next zone that we have to manage tactfully is the "Work Zone". There is a very well-known idiom, "Work is Worship" but that does not mean that you become a workaholic. This means that whatever work you undertake or is assigned to you, you must do it with complete dedication and give it your 100 percent.  Your focus should be on finishing your official responsibilities within the stipulated working hours, post which you are free to do what you want. Many a times I see that during the working hours, people while away their time in unproductive activities such as gossiping with co-workers or spending time in the cafeteria; and when it is time to leave they suddenly get charged-up, promoting late or extended working hours. This leads to a dis-balanced routine impacting all the spheres of your life. Whether you are self-employed or employed with an enterprise, self-discipline and commitment go a long way in helping you to manage the work zone. At times, late working is required based on work contingencies, but a regular with it is a strict "NO". Never say "YES" for it if you are asked to stay back on a daily basis.

Now we will talk about one of the very important areas of our life, that is the "Financial Zone". Finance is very important to manage our day-to-day affairs. But it is not wise if you spend all your energy in doubling and tripling your financial gain. It is absolutely okay as long as it does not interfere with the other important aspects of your life. Making yourself financially sound and taking care of your family's financial needs is a pre-requisite, no doubt, but it should not have an adverse effect on your other focus areas. Always remember that  "Finance is a means of life, not an end of life".

There are times when each one of us wants to spend some time alone, introspect on the past incidents, think about the future course of action with respect to any activity, or simply sit in silence and just be yourself. This is the "Intimate Zone" in which we are only aware of our own self or being. Whenever I sit in silence alone in my room, it gives clarity to my thoughts, fills me with joy and makes me feel lighter. With our lifestyles being so hectic and demanding, we are always in a rush, doing something or the other, in the midst of which, forget our own self. Taking out some time for yourself from your busy schedule will prove to be a very satisfying and enriching experience.

Last but not the least, there is the "Spiritual Zone", which is the mother of all zones. Practicing meditation daily will keep you calm, composed, relaxed, make you more productive so that you are able to fulfill all the responsibilities and duties with perfection, enabling you to manage all the spheres of life successfully; thus leading a complete, satisfying and fulfilling life.

These five zones in totality, sum up our entire life and we should give equal attention to all these zones so as to strike a balance among them, and manage life creatively making creative adjustments.

So, are you all set to rock the world?????

The art of meditation – Quietens the mind, relaxes the body and helps us to focus on the present

"A man of meditation is happy, not for an hour or a day, but quite round the circle of all his years".

The first thought that crosses our mind when we talk of meditation is that this is for the elderlies, the senior citizens; but this is a misconception. So let us get a clear-cut idea what meditation is all about. Meditation is a technique to relax your mind, give you mental and physical strength as well as the willpower to cope up with the difficult or distressing times. This does not imply that if you are meditating regularly, you will never encounter a bad phase in your lifetime, but you will have the strength to handle that situation tactfully. You will face it strongly and will remain calm and unperturbed during the distressing situation. It is a myth that your sitting posture should be - sitting on the ground with folded knees while doing mediation. This is the recommended posture, but if you cannot sit on the ground, you can do meditation sitting on a chair or even when you are lying down in bed.

I vouch that anyone who takes to meditating regularly will do very well in life, on the professional as well as personal front; helping in relaxing your mind and body, filling you with confidence and positive energy, releasing negative energy within you, making you more productive, assisting in balancing your life.

I would like to outline a simple meditation technique for you to practice regularly. It is known as ‘’CHAKRA BALANCING’’. Now the question comes, what is a chakra? There are seven chakras or energy centers in our body, each of which has a specific role to play. You have to focus on each chakra one by one, starting from muladhar chakra and then gradually go up the ladder concentrating on every chakra till Sahasrara chakra. The seven chakras are classified into lower and higher chakras. We will start with lower chakras. The lowest chakra is "Muladhar chakra" or "root chakra".  It is located just below the spine, and is responsible for instilling in us the desire to live life. Suicidal tendencies and attempts are a result of imbalance of this chakra. The second chakra is "Swadhishthana Chakra" which is located four fingers below navel. It teaches us the way to live life and it governs the reproductive organs. The next chakra in line is "Manipura chakra" or "Solar Plexus Chakra" which is positioned four fingers above the navel and is the "I" center. It is the center of lower emotions such as hatred, jealousy, envy, revenge and anger, to name a few. Such emotions stem from this chakra when it is weak.

Now, we come to the higher chakras. Going up the order, we will talk about "Heart Chakra" or "Anahata Chakra" which is in the center of the chest. It is the "WE" center responsible for rendering selfless service to mankind. It is the main center of love. After heart chakra, comes the "Vishuddha" or "Throat Chakra" in the center of the throat. This chakra is responsible for creating charisma and magic as a public speaker or an orator that keeps the audience glued to their seats. It helps you in developing good communication skills. The "Ajna Chakra" comes next and its position is in between the eyebrows. This chakra is responsible for opening your "third eye", enhancing your intuitive powers. The highest chakra is the "Sahasrara Chakra" or the "Crown Chakra". It is located in the middle of your head and is the center of spiritual awakening and Growth.

Thus we see the different roles these chakras or energy centers play in the wellness of our being, which is the ultimate goal of meditation. Practicing it on a regular basis will definitely bring about a radical change in your thought process and lifestyle.

Good Luck!!!!!

Follow your dreams – Dream it, Wish it, Do it

“Nothing so much convinces me of the boundlessness of the human mind as its operation in dreaming’’

Let us start with the definition of dreaming. Dreaming is an activity that knows no bounds…no ends…it is infinite. Let me tell you that dreaming is not a night activity, there is something called day-dreaming also, in which you are always engrossed in cooking up new thoughts and ideas. Here I want to focus on only one point and that is dreaming is very important for you to be successful in life, but only when it is realistic and practical. This has been proved by the idiom, ‘’Excess of anything and everything is bad.’’

From the very initial years of your life, you always visualize yourself sometimes as a doctor, sometime as a journalist or wear the coat of any other profession, because your goals are not very clear. What you see people around you do, you want to do the same thing. You are not mature enough to take your interests into consideration and work single-mindedly towards it with complete devotion and dedication. When you are old enough to choose a career path that will help you achieve what you have wished for, do not go by what other’s opinions are with respect to your chosen path. There may be contradictions to your decision, but you know at the bottom of your heart what you want and begin working towards accomplishment of your dreams. At the same time ask yourself this question " is this what I want to do in life". If the answer is "YES", then there is no looking back. You will never regret your decision and will always be happy from within, without any signs of frustration, irritation or depression. I am quite sure this is what everyone strives for in life. To achieve this, it is important to dream, and not only dream, but "DREAM BIG".

Dreams should not only be confined to fantasy, illusion but it should be converted to passion that consistently reminds you of your life’s objective and where you see yourself five years or ten years from now. When this passion of yours does not let you sleep soundly during the night nor let your mind wander away from it during the daytime, then think that you are on the right path.

The famous quote by Swami Vivekananda sheds light on this – "Arise, Awake and Stop Not till your goal is reached."

All the best!!!!!

Parents: At the end of the day, the most overwhelming key to a child's success is the positive involvement of parents.

‘’We never know the love of the parent till we become parents ourselves. When we first bend over the cradle of our own child, God throws back the temple door, and reveals to us the sacredness and mystery of a father’s and a mother’s love to ourselves – And in later years, when they have gone from us, there is always a certain sorrow that we cannot tell them we have found in it – one of the deepest experiences of a noble nature in reference to the loved ones that have passed beyond this world, is the thought of what he might have been to them, and done for them, if he had known while they were living, what he has learned since they died.’’

The above quotation throws light on the very essence of life that we do not realize until we are confronted with it. Our parents bring us into this world. Since our inception, they take care of small small things concerning us within their means and range. The trend in vogue in our society these days is such that our parents who always stood by us through thick and thin, during our formative years and in times of need, are lonesome and abandoned by their children, as they grow old and become a burden for their children to carry on their shoulders, when they need their offspring the most. I have witnessed this harsh reality very closely and often ask myself this question that how can anyone mete out this treatment to their parents, without whom they would not get to see and revel in the beauty in this world – the ultimate creation of God.

For us, our parents are the ‘Living God’ who gave us everything that we desired and were within their reach and have always been our pillar of strength, standing on one feet to help us achieve and accomplish our goals in life. This is ironical that we spend hours in worshipping Lord, whom we have never seen, to always shower his blessings on us, bribing him with laddoos and Prasad worth the amount they promised they will offer on the fulfillment of their wishes, observing fasts with respect and reverence; and we give a damn for the people who are responsible for bringing us into this world and helping us stand on our feet to take up the challenges, problems and difficulties, we may encounter in the outside world – our parents.

It is high time now that we should take the initiative and bring about a revolutionary change in the society of which we are an integral and an indispensable part, making this world a better place to live in, for our parents who have sacrificed their desires and showered us with unconditional love, to see us successful, hoping that someday, we will be with them sharing their joys and sorrows and be their support in the old age.

In the end I would like to request everyone to think and introspect on the compromises that our parents made to give us a good lifestyle and proper upbringing, in spite of faced with uncountable problems surfacing now and then. Now it is your turn to do something for them that makes them feel proud of you…

Thank you!!!!!