Reinvent Yourself

Interesting synonyms are there for "Invent" - Originate, create something that has not existed before, formulate, develop, design, innovate, hatch, manufacture, concoct and many more. And you would agree with me that everybody wants to be different and original and yet conform with others. Isn't it strange? That is why there is a dire need of frequently looking at ourselves to originate and re-originate, reinvent ourselves. We should search for the patterns in our actions which are not in line with what we are aspiring for in life. Even our aspirations need to be redesigned along the course of life.

Since everybody has different goals and purposes, and everyone interprets situations, quotations, ideas and information in their own ways, I have kept my ideas open this time - open to YOUR interpretation. Hope you relate it the way I do, so that our roads cross someday while achieving the higher purpose in our lives. I have written few ideas and quotations and put them in the sequence which makes sense to me. Hope you can relate it for yourself and use them.

1. As per Heinrich's pyramid,

            for every 300,000 at-risk behavior,

            3,000 near miss incidences are estimated, out of which,

            300 record-able injuries are possible, and

            30 injuries with lost workday cases, and

            1 fatality can be expected.

Similarly, in my opinion,

            for every 300,000 people who think positive and creative ideas,

            3,000 people will work on those ideas and lead a better life for themselves,

            300 may do something good for society and make to the news for a short term (may be a decade)

            30 will continue working on great ideas and contribute to the society to a great extent, and

            we can expect 3 out of those to make a historic difference in the world.

Important is to know - Where do you want to stop? Or, do you?

2. You must do what you know you should do.

3. Make good choices.

4. Build someone up.

    Put their insecurities to sleep.

    Remind them they are worthy.

    Tell them they are magical.

    Be the light in a too often dim world.

5. Nothing happens in a day but something happens in each one day.

6. Instead of being an expect-or, become a spectator of good things.

    Instead of being a spectator, become an actor of good things.

7. The choices we make are ultimately our responsibilities.

8. If there is anybody who is on the downside of advantage and relying purely on courage, it's possible.

    It's possible.                                                                          - Matthew McConaughey

9. How wonderful it is that nobody needs to wait a single moment before starting to improve the world !

                                                                                                - Anne Frank

10. You have to have a vision.

Tell me what you are going to do.

Act.

Just like you read this.

Thank you.

Smiles. :)

The truth about Yoga

Have you ever seen a street dog stretching in the morning right after it gets up? Ever wondered who taught Yoga to that dog? How come does it know the importance of exercise above other intelligent species?

Anyway, our topic is different. We know the common meaning of Yoga which is "Union". And the next obvious statement is that Yoga is much more than that. Just like most of the time, I have my views on Why-Factor for Yoga being called the "way of living" above all the other meanings like balance or combination.

Basically, there are 5 structures of Yoga out of which, these 4 have intrigued me:
1. Gyana Yoga: Yoga committed to inquiry
2. Raja Yoga: Yoga committed to introspection and contemplation
3. Bhakti Yoga: Yoga devoted to love and devotion to God
4. Karma Yoga: Yoga committed to selfless service and Dharma

Now if you know about Hindu religion, there are 4 Varna that create a structure of society:
1. Brahman: Committed to knowledge and wisdom
2. Kshatriya: Committed to discipline,  sacrifice and contemplative use of power
3. Vaishya: Committed to livelihood and devoted to God
4. Shudra: Committed to serve at their personal best

And if you have ever been to a management training for Goal setting, there are 4 primary areas to set goals for a balanced life:
1. Spiritual
2. Physical
3. Financial
4. Social

Now check out what's common in above three lists which happened in different times and places.
Does these similarities ring any bells?

Okay!
I am assuming that you are with me in this correlation.
Now look at America. Where does it stand in case of knowledge and innovation? What about war/ weapons/ defense strength? How about business/ market? And how about service sector/ labour? If you notice, most of the developed countries are strong at the first 3 Varna/ but are becoming weaker at the 4th varna. And interesting thing is, they have unknowingly given away this strength. There is a mentality that service is for lower class. Truth is, due to lack of either of the 4 Varna, any state may loose the balance and as a result strength. Seems convincing?

It gets interesting now!
With this changing times where everything is getting smaller and closer, these 4 Varna have also come closer. Previously, had you followed any 1 Varna, it would have been okay to lead a life of fulfilment. But now is the time to instill these 4 Varna, these 4 qualities, not only in this world or nations but within us.
Today,
- We must be curious enough to question (first) ourselves with relentless attitude of learning and improving and experimenting.
- We must have good strength to take a stand for humanity and for mother nature.
- We must have the skills to sell ourselves anywhere needed, be it with thoughts, products, services or qualifications.
- We must have the never-ending attitude of serving wholeheartedly and readiness to do all kinds of jobs which may seem unimportant or tacky.
When we become Brahman, Kshatriya, Vaishya and Shudra, all at the same time, that's what I call an ultimate balance, the perfect Yoga. Once we attain this Union, we reach at the axis of the rotating wheel - by gradually moving from the tangent towards the center. Interestingly, this is the never-ending process. And maybe that's why Yoga is called the Way of living.

We are all here by miracle, learning to live.


""Miracle" is a word commonly used for "accident" with the sense of humility."