Of the human qualities I like, inspiration is definitely in the top three. It makes us realize what we are capable of and makes us do something worthwhile. Woe to that person who looks at everything through a pessimist's jaundiced eyes so that everything looks dull and negative. Blessed is one who has the enthusiasm to do good things and lead others to do those as well, even when the conditions are not really that favorable.
I can be very easily inspired. A song, a good deed can show me the ways I can try to do good things or even, try to do my best in whatever fields possible. It is not always something great, it could be learning something new, challenging myself to do something which I always thought was difficult, solving some problem... anything. One person who has never failed to "wake me up" is Swami Vivekanada. If anyone can't be motivated by him, that person might as well be dead!
"Stand up, be bold, be strong" - how many of us realize this? We go about our daily grind with what a friend of mine calls "tunnel vision". We look at just what is important for us in that very moment and leave out the rest as "that's not my responsibility". All that because we are afraid to take up that responsibility. We do that at home, very much at work and even more in the society. We are scared! If only we could live up to the expectations of a human being!
We are scared to tell the truth, so we keep shut during company meetings. We don't care about our work (as long as our job is secure) so we don't bother to make that project a 100% success. We don't care for the society so we don't contribute for toy-drives (better still laugh at those who do). Do we even care for our families and our marriages? Do we really work on them? I doubt. All because we lack courage, we don't have faith in our own selves. Is that good? Is that what you'll expect your kids to learn from you? Think....think of the moral character you have.
Rabindranath is one of my all time favorite philosophers. He has said - mukto koro bhoy - get rid of fear. Bengalis know this song by heart, but I wonder how many really understand? In the same song, the poet says, "fight against evil and provide refuge for the weak" and "never doubt your own strength". He also says, when humanity calls, sacrifice yourself. Open yourself to challenges...get rid of fear and conquer yourself. Oh, if only we could try that!
I see people living in their shells like snails and like frogs in wells, thinking how happy they are without even knowing the bright sky up above where they can spread their wings and fly... raise their heads with confidence that the joy of knowledge gives.
It starts from little things. It starts from taking baby steps towards things that are challenging. Confidence would only come when you conquer hurdles. Take up that Zumba class which you always thought you could never do. Try to learn how to play an instrument, learn a new language, make friends with people who are different than you are, get involved, stand up for what you believe is wrong, speak up... try to venture beyond that "comfort zone". Also, believe that you can make a difference. Droplets of water make an ocean... a single act can lead to a revolution. But have patience. It takes time for things to work. When I organized a toy drive last Christmas for the Seattle Children's Hospital, our boxes lay empty for a week. I was feeling disheartened when Arnab reminded me of the Bhagvat Geeta saying - "Do your own work and don't think of the consequences". I followed that and stayed patient... later, we had 4 big box loads of toys and $275 in cash to donate!!
It's all humans that have ever done anything good, anything worthwhile. So if one human can do that, why can't another?
I can be very easily inspired. A song, a good deed can show me the ways I can try to do good things or even, try to do my best in whatever fields possible. It is not always something great, it could be learning something new, challenging myself to do something which I always thought was difficult, solving some problem... anything. One person who has never failed to "wake me up" is Swami Vivekanada. If anyone can't be motivated by him, that person might as well be dead!
"Stand up, be bold, be strong" - how many of us realize this? We go about our daily grind with what a friend of mine calls "tunnel vision". We look at just what is important for us in that very moment and leave out the rest as "that's not my responsibility". All that because we are afraid to take up that responsibility. We do that at home, very much at work and even more in the society. We are scared! If only we could live up to the expectations of a human being!
We are scared to tell the truth, so we keep shut during company meetings. We don't care about our work (as long as our job is secure) so we don't bother to make that project a 100% success. We don't care for the society so we don't contribute for toy-drives (better still laugh at those who do). Do we even care for our families and our marriages? Do we really work on them? I doubt. All because we lack courage, we don't have faith in our own selves. Is that good? Is that what you'll expect your kids to learn from you? Think....think of the moral character you have.
Rabindranath is one of my all time favorite philosophers. He has said - mukto koro bhoy - get rid of fear. Bengalis know this song by heart, but I wonder how many really understand? In the same song, the poet says, "fight against evil and provide refuge for the weak" and "never doubt your own strength". He also says, when humanity calls, sacrifice yourself. Open yourself to challenges...get rid of fear and conquer yourself. Oh, if only we could try that!
I see people living in their shells like snails and like frogs in wells, thinking how happy they are without even knowing the bright sky up above where they can spread their wings and fly... raise their heads with confidence that the joy of knowledge gives.
It starts from little things. It starts from taking baby steps towards things that are challenging. Confidence would only come when you conquer hurdles. Take up that Zumba class which you always thought you could never do. Try to learn how to play an instrument, learn a new language, make friends with people who are different than you are, get involved, stand up for what you believe is wrong, speak up... try to venture beyond that "comfort zone". Also, believe that you can make a difference. Droplets of water make an ocean... a single act can lead to a revolution. But have patience. It takes time for things to work. When I organized a toy drive last Christmas for the Seattle Children's Hospital, our boxes lay empty for a week. I was feeling disheartened when Arnab reminded me of the Bhagvat Geeta saying - "Do your own work and don't think of the consequences". I followed that and stayed patient... later, we had 4 big box loads of toys and $275 in cash to donate!!
It's all humans that have ever done anything good, anything worthwhile. So if one human can do that, why can't another?
2 comments:
Good Post !! "nijere koro joy" is the most difficult task i think..not only bhoy, there is undercurrent of several other vices [raag, Hingshe, Hinomonyota, lobh]...overcoming one's own vices is THE BIGGEST challenge.
It is good to see that you have noted the problem and now try to eradicate them. Tough job, I know, but worth trying. Best of luck!
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