Life would be pointless if it were not for lessons and learnings. As we enter into the timeframe of a brand new year, let us resolve to make every moment that we live meaningful and every breath we take blissful; smug in the knowledge that we have this unique gift of life bestowed upon us by the One Above, for which we must be grateful and to which we must have a deep sense of duty and responsibility.
With life as a fabulous teacher, here's my list of lessons to internalize and share along with 'my' world -
Lesson 1 - The biggest reminder came to me, piggy-backing on a viral, catchy message, almost at the end of last year. It simply says, "2014 will not be different, unless you are." I don't think I will need a sharper rap to put myself back into focus.
Lesson 2
– The most important guest that you should usher in is Opportunity.
Opportunity, nay, opportunities knock on the mind’s door – loud and
clear. You must be ready in your Sunday best to greet them and the brand must always be of hard
work, calibre and perspicacity.
Lesson 3
– You must believe in yourself, your ideas and your skills. If you do
not believe in yourself then how will others; after all you know
yourself the best. What’s more, in times of doubt, complexes and
depression it is this belief that helps steer your ship towards the
shore.
Lesson 4
– On the days when your belief in yourself takes a beating, there will
be a providential sign through a friend’s comment or a reader’s remark
or family’s know-all declaration that will help you put back the belief
in its place and carry on with zeal and zest.
Lesson 5 - If you know, then teach; if you don't, then learn.
Lesson 6
- The Universe, through its forces and elements, reflects your spirit.
Sunny, solemnly downcast, stormy, sizzling, barren, breezy, peaceful,
passionate, pouring, parched – the Universe and You are mirror images
with the former feeding on your innermost fears and feelings, emotions
and thoughts.
Lesson 7
– The online Social circle of friends, connections, tweeple and the
like are a far more charitable and philanthropic lot. They will not
think twice before sharing information that could save a life, collect
funds or help to eradicate hunger in the third world.
Lesson 8
– The very same group of people are also excellent networkers and
active information-sharing community that thrives on adding to the
knowledge bank, posting interesting features and tutorials, passing on
useful links in general. It is because of them that there is so much to
know, learn from and re-share in the dynamic world of web where nothing
is beyond one’s reach any more. To be a part of this community is an
enriching experience.
Lesson 9 – When the idea lights up like a bulb or when ideas flow, you must
capture them on a pad or iPad, note it in your diary or save it on your
desktop and get to it as soon as you can. If the a-ha moment of the idea
is lost then it either flows away or stares you back as a boring piece
of balderdash that is not worth your time any more. The point is to
seize that moment and make it into a meaningful exercise.
Lesson 10
– When things go wrong with you, as they will many a times, it is
family and then friends that rally around you. Nurture your inner and
outer circle well, invest in it and see what a big difference they make
to you and your life.
Lesson 11
– The best antidote to seasonal flus, moody blues, fevers, shivers,
disease, moments of mental freeze, depression, feelings of oppression
and anything else that you can think of are dogs. Period! Really so!
Much more than rest and medication! Not much can stand up to the
cheerful demeanour, wagging excitement – always, the unconditional licks
of love and adorable hugs of attachment, the desire to be by your side
at all times no matter what; it indeed is a formidable bond and
friendship that can help you withstand any concern or calamity.
Lesson 12
– The pet children do have a fantastic vocabulary and understand all
the languages you use rather well. Their vocab seems to be growing with
every passing year just as your need to spell out more and more words
instead of uttering them out in their presence.
Lesson 13
– You have the power to make a difference to people’s lives,
sometimes by your pre-meditated actions of kindness and sometimes by the
unplanned, sudden acts that bring a smile to a stricken-with-grief
face, that lift the heaviness off a sorrow-laden heart, that relax a
reverberating-with-worries mind.
Lesson 14 - In the scheme of things in our Universe, I feel 'gain' must come with 'giving,' 'success' with 'sharing,' 'wealth' with 'wisdom' and 'fame' with 'fairness.'
Lesson 15
– It is possible to lose weight at any age – before 20 after 40, pre
menopause or post. Yes it is. You just need to keep up with the effort.
Just as anything else in life – when the stakes are high and the task
tough, the efforts must be as intense – the same with weight.
Eating
right and healthily is not for a season or two or for the period of
time in which you wish to lose weight. It is a life-long process and
should be part of your perpetual life-style.
Lesson 16
– More than anything else, more than wealth, fame, happiness and
prosperity, what is really limited and reducing constantly is TIME.
After every passing year, at every decade of your life, the truth is
going to hit you even harder. The time to do something about it is NOW.
Lesson 17
– Just as you dive into the ocean of life and dig out bounties from the
depths of the Universe, so should you be putting back into it - to
whatever extent and with as much ability as you can. Make no mistake
about it – it IS a two-way process.
Lesson 18
– I first saw my parents live that kind of life; then years later I
heard Oprah say it on her show. And I DO believe that you do not need
money and certainly not large trunks of it to do charity. It should come
to you as easily as your need to breathe and eat. It has to be a part
of who you are.
Lesson 19 – In whatever profession you may be, you must read – extensively and widely. There is no better education than that.
Lesson 20
– Whatever your craft – you must practice it every day. If you are a
writer or wish to be one – you must write daily. I am enamoured by
Stephen King’s passion – who wrote even on Xmas Day, Independence Day
and his Birthday; you get the drift, right!
Lesson 21
– You must have a hobby – developing and maintaining a garden, taking
photographs, travelling, singing, painting art, buying art, cooking,
drinking wine whatever does it for you – you must have one or two or
more.
Lesson 22
– Be dogged with your good ideas. People may call it pushiness, I call
it perseverance. If you keep at your good ideas for long and strong,
there will be a chunk of people who will see those things the way you
do. The article that you think has mass appeal, the book idea that you
believe is saleable, the job that you feel you are really best suited
for, the strategy you have thoroughly thought out and are certain that
it will reap the benefits – hold on to them, reinforce them amongst the
significant publics and Voila! you will find support from the same
quarters.
Almost
in the same breath, I hasten to add, be ready to drop the bad idea at
the drop of a hat, without any thought or emotion that may ride with it.
Lesson 23
– Age and the experience you gain with it are the best, lifelong
teachers you could ask for. Be thankful for all of your life’s
experiences – good or bad, trying or stimulating – they all leave
important lessons behind.
Lesson 24
– Be grateful for what you have. There are hundreds of others who are
not as privileged be it with money, cushy life, family, unconditional
love, sound mind, healthy body and a lot other parameters.
Lesson 25
– Have a daily dialogue with The One Above – in whatever shape and form
you see Him or Her. Yes you heard me right – it is a dialogue. You just
need to be tuned enough to receive His or Her signals.
Lesson 26
– There may be thousands of people writing on food, or travel or PR or
whatever - then should you be adding your two cents too? Yes, without
any doubt; because yours would be a unique take on the subject, shaped
by your unique set of experiences.
Lesson 27
– It IS possible to spend the whole day doing nothing of value, whiling
away your time in inane, absolutely useless activities; but the huge
sense of guilt thereafter is killing, brutally cruel and crushing. So,
it is much better to accomplish your goal or at least a part of it every
day.
Lesson 28
– Remember what all the Management Gurus have been telling us for long?
They ARE telling us right. You must learn to divide a huge task into
smaller, manageable portions and get cracking on those parts. In time
you would be reaching the end of the big job itself. SO, go ahead and eat that mountain; bit by bit.
Lesson 29
– In the same vein as above, I have realized that I must tackle the
most difficult job of the day first and then scale down to the simpler,
easier, more fun tasks. It helps me be more efficient and effective and
gets me to accomplish more in the day.
Lesson 30
– Just about anybody can become your teacher for a moment, for the day
or for a long period of time. Over time, I have picked up valuable lessons
from my caretaker, the Gardener, my young soul child, my old
mother-in-law, the peacocks that came to eat their daily stock of grain
in my garden, the rude neighbor and of course my two pet children.
Specially the last two, as their intelligence, kindness of heart, clever
ploys and playful antics do not cease to amaze me.
Lesson 31
– With us celebrating a decade and three years of marriage, I realize that
it is important to have an extremely understanding, kind and thoughtful
soulmate who respects you for who you are and what you bring to the
union. In today’s world of chaos, confusion, comparisons and conflict
this is one of the most significant and sanity-maintaining aspects of my
life.
Lesson 32 – With age and experience, I must keep learning to laugh a lot – at myself, at situations and generally in life.
Lesson 33
– Health is the most important asset that I can have. It can help me
move mountains or compel me to stay withdrawn in the confines of my bed
depending on which side of health I am standing on. Along with the
physicality of it all, it is as important to have a beautiful, brilliant
and sound mind.
Lesson 34
– Finally, I have learned the importance of developing role models –
not just the towering figures of our times but also common people in our
circle going about their commonplace lives with all that grit,
gratitude, dignity and diligence. It helps me not get bogged down and
pick myself up fast if I crumble down at times.
Have
a wonderful New Year! And do create your own magic!!!
