Pearls of wisdom compiled on my 60th birthday

These pearls are gathered over last 60 years and compiled for sharing with my children, however I decided to share them with every one, since my friends and colleagues who read this, liked them and encouraged me to make it available to the larger audience.

September 08, 2012



These pearls are collected from several sources. They have influenced me a lot, and I am still trying to internalize many of them and practice them to the extent I can.

While some may be original thoughts, most of them are the thoughts of wise people passed down to us over several centuries. Credit for these thoughts certainly can’t go to any one individual.

“A” Your mind

1. Take out the clutter from your mind: Clutter blocks the free flow of your energy and therefore creativity. Cobwebs in your mind need to be cleared if you want to do something meaningful. Just relax and remove the trash. It is blocking free and easy flow of energy that you have within you. Cluttering of mind happens due to several reasons. Just learn to live in “here and now.”
2. You are in charge: You are the commander in chief of your own happiness and agonies. No one in this world can make you happy or sad. Mental states of happiness or joy or sorrow are our own constructs. Don’t worry about what others think of you or will do for you. Always remember you live your own life. What others think of you or will do for you is none of your business. Just be yourself. Have minimal expectations from others. Focus on what you can do for others rather than what they should do for you.

3.    Fill your mind with positive energy: Don't ever have negative thoughts, instead invest your energy in the positives. Negative thoughts lead to self destruction while positive thoughts are always constructive. Positive relaxed self that is comfortable, is a powerhouse of creativity and happiness that follows.

4. What you want has no limits: No matter what and how much you get, your mind will always ask for more. There is no limit to success, wealth, name, fame and luxuries. Some where we have to stop and say this is enough. Just learn to draw a line. Those who can’t draw such lines are generally very frustrated with themselves and with the world. In any case the definition of success is made by you. Review the same from time to time on the foundation of realism, your own aptitudes and interests. Listen to the inner calls or voice of the “Antarman” or your own soul.

“B” Learn to become comfortable with yourself:

1. Live in the present: Make peace with the past – if not, it will spoil the today. Plan for the future but live in “here and now”. Don’t indulge in “day dreaming”. It is such a waste. Ambition is not day dreaming. Ambition always creates energy and ultimately leads to plans and actions for today, that lead you to your desired goals. Today well spent will ensure good future.
2. Do not envy any one: Comparisons don’t help. You are where you are, basis your own past actions (Karma). You can also reach the heights – it all depends on your own actions (Karma). Each one of us has a different destiny which is a product of our actions and desires. Comparisons with others are futile. Envy is a very negative and dysfunctional energy that comes to us from the comparisons and from feeling of being deprived. Just come out of it.
3. Anything is possible: We are all human beings with humongous possibilities and potential. We can achieve what we desire if we are focused and put in the right efforts. Just become passionate. Someone will be ahead, some will be behind, but surely we will all reach our goals once we start walking the path with full determination.
4. Problems come and go: Problems are inevitable part of the life. Don’t try to run away from them. Learn to deal with them directly, quickly and completely. Problems look like problems because you don’t have a solution. Go to the root cause, consult experts / wise people. You will find the solutions. Once you know the solution any situation is not a problem. Learn to deal with each, with a bunch of appropriate actions.

“C” Your habits: 

1. Indulge in lifelong learning: Learn something new every day. Experiment something new every day. Life is all about exploring / discovering and learning. It is also about unlearning what is wrong and or irrelevant at a point of time. Don’t be dogmatic or fanatic at any time – just develop an open mind. You can’t learn / adopt anything new unless you give up something from the past. Just learn to challenge yourself on a regular basis. Our beliefs are not necessarily right, our experiences are never complete, and our knowledge has its own limitations. Don’t take positions. Become a lifelong explorer.
2. You can’t win every time, you can’t be right every time: Learn to accept others. Everyone has a set of unique experiences, knowledge and beliefs and based on that, one develops a definite point of view. Lot to learn from every one. Debates are always a good idea – not arguments. Learn to disagree and keep moving with grace and dignity. Develop joy from contributing and learning something new every day. We learn a lot from others.
3. Action orientation: In long run this helps. Become a fire ball of energy. No matter how you feel, just get up, freshen up and dress up. Get in to action – even if the action may mean – just sitting in a quiet corner & meditating, just reading some good book, helping others or simply going for a long walk or doing your own work. Remember, inaction is the biggest killer of both the mind as well as body.
4. Do not procrastinate: Procrastination is one of the worst habits. We like to do what we enjoy most, and there is nothing wrong in that. However in the process we keep postponing those things which we don’t enjoy doing. This leads to multiple problems. First do those things that are very important but you don’t enjoy doing them, then focus on things that are important and you enjoy doing them. Next in order is nice to do things that you don’t enjoy doing and last in order are nice to do things that you enjoy.  
5. Physical fitness: Your body is a temple in which your soul resides. Your soul is a reflection of God. Take care of your physical fitness. Develop right habits. Always remember - healthy mind can reside only in a healthy body. Eat well, sleep well, and ensure right exercises, enough rest. Just develop a sustainable regime for yourself.
6. Remove the clutter from your surrounding: “Cleanliness is godliness” this is the Mantra. Ensure clean, neat and tidy surroundings. This ensures ease, comfort, relaxation and positivity. Cluttered environment and unwanted things just create negativity. Anything that you are not likely to use or have not used in last 12 months is not required by you. Give it away / just scrap it. This is just carrying dust and dirt apart from creating negativity in your surroundings.
7. Be minimalistic in your physical possessions: Acquire just enough to lead a happy life. Give up what you are not likely to use or need. Materials which are not necessary create negative energy. Do not hoard. Give up every material possession that you don’t need. Anything that is of no use should not be with you. There is no limit to acquiring materials of pleasure, leisure and comfort. Never hold or hoard.

“D” Focus on spiritualism, don't be just ritualistc:

1. Remember God: There is only one God. You may call him by any name and see him in any form. He is always with you. Learn to recognize him. Learn to thank him for what he has given to you. Just surrender full heartedly and completely. Depend on him for the guidance and protection. When he is with you why worry? Just become fearless. God is a friend – “become God loving and not God fearing.”
2. Pray without expectations: Don’t ask any specifics. You don’t know what is right for you. Just pray for happiness and fulfillment of your soul. Unconditional love and faith is a must.
3. Be humble and develop humility: That is the first step to being spiritual. Be proud of whom you are, become comfortable with your own self; however it is critical that you are humble and modest at the same time. Arrogance and “I know it all” attitude, is the beginning of a decline. None of us are perfect; each one of us have humongous scope for improvement. Be surrounded by people who are wiser / better than you. These people will ensure that your ego is kept under check and at the same time you keep learning a lot from them.
4. Don’t be ritualistic: Rituals and religious dictates are the foundation for moving towards being spiritual. In the initial phase rituals help you in disciplining yourself. Religious dictates help you develop some guiding principles. As you progress come out of these, just focus your mind on the almighty and become spiritually evolved. Don’t be the slave of rituals; these are means to an end and not the end in themselves.

“E” Dealing with others:

1. Don’t gossip: Such a waste of time. Think and lead the life with big thoughts aimed at larger good. Always remember - "Great minds discuss ideas. Average minds discuss events. Small minds discuss people” - Eleanor Roosevelt.
2. Don’t dislike / criticize any one: No one is right or wrong. No one is good or bad. Each one of us behaves based on our own points of view and basis our own limited exposure and references. All of us live in a very small world of our own. We have our own reasons for what we do. Just try to understand the others, learn to empathize and understand where they come from. If you are uncomfortable with some people just step aside, avoid them, don’t hate or don’t dislike or get annoyed by them. They are just different, not your type, that does not mean they are wrong or bad.
3. Celebrate the differences: All of us are born under various unique circumstances. Each one of is different with our own unique strengths and our own unique needs for improvements. Each one of us is different – age, physique, color of the skin, shape of the body, the features, the wealth, the talents, the aptitudes the circumstances, interests and the personal objectives. Differences should be celebrated; the world is able to function effectively because we bring complimentary capabilities and diverse points of views. Each one of us is valuable and important. Accept the realities and become inclusive.
4. Don’t manipulate / pressurize any one:  Live and let live. Never ever pressurize any one, never ever manipulate any one. In the same breath I will say – never get pressurized from anyone and never ever get manipulated by any one. While each one of us has to make certain compromises, we should never get pushed against a wall. Exercise your freedom to make choices. Ensure you lead a principled life which is values based. Never get blackmailed from any one.
5. Think well and act well: Think about the wellbeing of everyone and think about doing good acts beneficial to others. Think for the larger good. Your thoughts, your conscious and your mind have to be pure and truthful. Your thoughts are more powerful than your actions (Karma). First clean them up and develop lofty ideals.

6.    Forgive and forget: Forgive everyone for everything. Don’t carry feelings of resentment, hatred, grudge, ill will, bitterness and animosity. This only breeds negativity. Life is short – try and live in a positive purposeful environment that is full of camaraderie that leads to constructive activities, joy and happiness.

“F” You and your Community:

 

You are in debt: We owe a lot to the social system and the nature. We are what we are due to the excellent support systems created by the Government, social and cultural institutions, Educational institutions, Commercial and Business enterprises, religious and spiritual organizations and most importantly the Nature. We are also indebted to the gurus, the sieges, the scientists, the thinkers, the ancestors who created and transferred knowledge and wisdom to us.  We have several debts to repay. Be grateful to the whole system. Repay & nurture what you can.

1. Be a good citizen: You are part of a very large ecosystem. Be a good citizen. Follow the ethical and moral norms. Ensure excellent character. Be a law abiding citizen. Remember we are not just I, me and my immediate family and friends. We are part of a much larger world. Remember we are in a symbiotic relationship with every constituent in this universe. Don’t be a parasite; keep creating value for the others. Learn to receive as well as give. It is a world that thrives on the inter-dependence.
2. One good act a day: Even if it just means smiling at someone, giving someone a helping hand, recognizing and acknowledging some one’s good work, or just sharing a good thought or an idea with someone. Just touch the heart of someone each day. Each one of us has some strength that can be put to use to help someone. Remember all of us are the children of “one God”; you may call him by any name or see him in any form. Love / give / support every one – unconditionally. Start sharing; start giving. This gives true happiness.
3. Develop strengths: Before you give, become capable of giving. Weak people can’t help anyone. Each one of us has something to give – Money if you have saved, or just the physical help if you are physically strong, or knowledge if you have acquired the same, psychological support if you are emotionally strong yourself. So in order to give, first earn, become strong.  Give only to the deserving people with an open heart without expecting anything in return
4. Don’t be selfish and greedy: It is always a good idea to have larger than life goals, rather than narrow or selfish objectives that are full of me and my-self. Know the purpose of your life. Endeavor to move to the next higher orbit.

Dare to become extraordinary, be a trailblazer if you can

Most people walk on the beaten paths; they do what everyone does. Since they follow the well laid down paths, they don’t get noticed, and there is nothing wrong with that. If you have chosen to be like every one - that’s your choice.

However, if you want to be extraordinary you will have to do extraordinary things (things that others don’t dare to do) and for that you need the courage and the conviction. This needs to be supported by the wisdom, the character and the positive actions. Extraordinary people are not necessarily popular, but are certainly respected. Focus on becoming a respected person and not on becoming a popular person. 

Disclaimer: Images in this post are downloaded from Google Images