While walking inside the proverbial park…6

   

    An extensive club with innumerable members – proverbs, thoughts, quotes and phrases can certainly never cease. Playing with words that reflect meaning, value, substance and wisdom, each of these aspects are extremely essential for an enlightened soul. As we inculcate their essence into our living, we realize the power and influence. Though proverbs may never gain an entry into our usual conversation, their memories and references can leave a long-lasting impact.

  As the blogger in me wanders in this park, once again; the next thought appears motivational and inspirational, while drawing our attention towards its influence.

Halt 6: Where there is a will, there is a way.

    A self-explanatory thought with valuable meaning, this proverb applies to each and every individual, situation, circumstance and condition. Willingness to succeed and determination to proceed are two precious keys for progress. Strong desire to march towards the finish line powers our efforts along the way. Every task demands preparation, hard work, devotion and sincerity. Ready results or quick solutions may offer temporary happiness and satisfaction, but these aspects can never replace the purity of our efforts.

     Paving way for our own life constitutes the backbone of our existence. Relying on excuses for uncertain circumstances or depending on others for our own success and happiness represents the weakness behind our thoughts. By transforming an unsuitable situation into a favorable one and working towards positive outcome for every condition, we can ensure fruits of happiness, peace, joy and pleasure. Confidence, faith, devotion, trust, patience and perseverance are some of the most essential ingredients for a successful outcome. Making favorable arrangements and adjustments that suit the prevailing situations form the backbone of victory.

    Complaints about the available conditions or unwillingness to adapt to the existing circumstances can never take us towards joy. As one of the most significant components of the body, our mind plays an important role in every domain of life. Our thoughts, wishes, hopes and beliefs are instrumental towards achievements and success. Strong will power to transform failure into success or sorrow into happiness is the central core of our existence. 

    Though challenges and difficulties may raise their ugly heads quite often, staying positive and determined is the key to success. Unless we make our own way, we can never reach the destination. An aspect that applies to every situation, willingness to reach the end point is the true fuel for victory. While success can never be guaranteed, pleasure of investing our efforts and satisfaction of working hard towards it are the primary highlights of every task.

    Confidence and courage to succeed, unknowingly forms the striking feature of our personality as we strive towards a positive outcome each time. By decorating our attitude with willingness to succeed, we can inspire and motivate those around us. Staying patient, calm, peaceful and motivated amidst difficulties and worries represent the dedication in our conduct.

   With these words of inspiration that prompt us to work hard in every kind of situation, this thought certainly deserves our attention, commitment, acceptance and agreement.

What are the various ways in which this proverb can come to life?

Let us look at some of the interesting end statements that can complete the meaning of this proverb, adding value, bringing life!  

Where there is a will, there is a way ----

--- to overcome hurdles, cross hindrances and handle difficulties.

--- to accomplish without excuses and achieve without complaints.

--- to march ahead with faith and determination.

--- to continue efforts with success and hard work with devotion.

--- to reach the end point with happiness, joy, satisfaction and peace.

--- to achieve what one desires, without resorting to unfair means.

--- to engage in self-happiness and personal growth.

--- to involve in tasks that bring joy, satisfaction, peace and pleasure.

--- to succeed, evolve, progress and grow.

   With these endings that indicate new beginnings, will and way are all we need to move ahead in life. Soak in the power of these words and inculcate their value, after all life is about learning, growing, working and living!

While walking inside the proverbial park…5

    

     After four inspirational quotes with valuable meaning, as the blogger in me walks towards the next, there is energy in thoughts and enthusiasm in words. As phrases that teach and words that preach, proverbs are truly essential by all means. While these proverbs are nurtured into us right since our childhood, their real essence radiates all through the journey called life. Unexpected encounters and uncertain situations bring us closer to the real significance behind these thoughts, while we correlate them with our own life story.

 

     With this, as we halt for our next proverb, let us admire its relevance in our daily course of living.

Halt 5: Slow and steady wins the race

     Inspired by the famous rabbit and tortoise tale, this next thought prompts us to think, consider, analyze, interpret and conclude. While pride, overconfidence, unpreparedness and instability costs us, staying patient and slow takes us towards success. Though this thought may appear as a misfit under the light of modern world, fast lifestyle, quick changes and fast-paced development, it is necessary to adopt stability and patience in our conduct. While functioning with an active mind and energetic body is certainly essential for success and happiness, blending it with topping of patience enhances the flavor of joy.

        Steadiness in our conduct points to the stage of maturity. With stable thought process, it is possible to hunt for options, solutions, answers and conclusions. Impatient and unprepared attitude point to the greed for success without evaluating all the aspects carefully. Hasty decisions with an aim to bag quick happiness or incorrect means to reach the destination can harm us in the long run. Though short-cuts may take us towards the finish line, it can never give us long-lasting peace and satisfaction.

      Though today’s fast paced ambiance demands quick decisions and quicker actions, it should be carried out with a stable attitude. Careful consideration of the prevailing situations and surrounding atmosphere can ensure flawless efforts and yield successful outcome. Crawling slowly and steadily at a snail’s pace is more beneficial than running around at an express speed. In an attempt to reach the finish line if we act in haste, we may end up with raw efforts and unripe fruits. 

     Influence of such conditions makes it essential to adopt stability and accept steadiness as a way of living. Besides offering peace, satisfaction and happiness, stable attitude points to the aspects of maturity, patience, humility and simplicity. By trusting our inner self and working towards the end product with an easy conduct, we can radiate its charm all around. Inspiring others to follow suit, our stable and patient approach can demonstrate its magic instantly. As others realize the significance of slow and steady manner, it can inspire them to appreciate, adopt, accept and exhibit.

     While some situations demand fast actions and rapid reactions, evaluating such conditions carefully and acting in the necessary manner can shower happiness and joy.

With these factors in mind, let us look at the concluding highlights of this proverb.

    Penned with a view to summarize the need, benefits, advantages and necessities of stability, these highlights can act as our take-away pointers for life!

1.       Slow and steady approach prompts us to analyze, examine, observe, evaluate and understand before reaching the final conclusion.

2.       Stability and steadiness are the keys to long-lasting peace and satisfaction.

3.       Hasty decisions or impatient judgments can harm us in the long run.

4.       Though quick actions and quicker reactions are essential for success and victory, it is also important to calculate our steps for a constructive outcome.

5.       Overconfidence over our skills or excess pride over our efforts may distract us from our goals.

6.       Steady pace motivates us to march ahead with confidence.

7.       Though modern world demands fast-paced action, careful consideration of every aspect before the final reaction ensures success, happiness and satisfaction in magnified amounts.

      With this, as we march slowly and steadily towards our goal, we can enjoy the fruits at a perfect stage. Be steady and stable as you move towards the finish line, after all not every race demands the first position, most challenges need patience, perseverance, consistency and determination. 

While walking inside the proverbial park…4

    Though this walk inside the proverbial park has been educational, motivational, inspirational and informational, the blogger in me has enjoyed every halt along the way. As words and vocabulary form the primary players of this game, every halt has added its own charm. While these proverbs enter into our lives as lessons for a lifetime, their long-lasting value certainly deserves recognition. Though we cannot relate to these proverbs for every situation in our daily routine, we may appreciate its significance over the course of passing time. As we realize the truth in these words through practical execution or real experience, we move closer to its beauty and magic.

    Let us halt at yet another proverb for a closer look, while drawing inspiration and adding value into our lives!

Halt 4: Make hay while the sun shines

     Prompting us about opportunities, possibilities, options and chances, our next proverb is born with an aim to inspire. Grabbing an opportunity at the right moment and transforming it into success through an appropriate channel can bring happiness and joy into our living. Unnecessary delays, thoughts, reasons and excuses can never work in our favor as changing circumstances can cast their spell instantly. While pondering about the opportunity or wondering about its outcome, we may lose valuable time. Though patient approach and careful analysis are extremely essential raw materials for any task, quick ideas and quicker actions are equally necessary, too.

      Preparing ourselves for every kind of adventures and challenges can help us in the long run. As opportunities may knock at our door at any moment or under any situation, we must exhibit our willingness to make the best use of such occurrences. Presence of mind at the right moment and under the right situation can ensure success, satisfaction, victory and happiness. While we may fail to grab an opportunity, our regrets and sadness will not be able to reverse the situation. With this, as we realize the significance of our circumstances, we can equip ourselves with necessities. 

       Making the best use of an opportunity can present us with success and happiness. An aspect that can relate with every situation, task, domain and individual, optimum utilization of an opportunity is extremely essential. Be it professional assignments or personal goals, desired wishes or essential tasks, our prompt actions can transform into success. Circumstances and situations play important roles in the journey of life. Though prevailing circumstances may not appear exciting or work in our favor, hunting for the good in them and converting them into valuable gold is definitely possible. While situations may change and seem out of control, investing our sincere efforts can yield success.

        Though this proverb relates to the domain of opportunities, it also talks about the significance of prevailing conditions. With changing seasons and weather conditions, as our food habits, hobbies, tasks and lifestyle differ, all these variations point to the power of ‘present’. Living in the present, while drawing lessons from the past is the key to success. Dreaming about the future can distract us from the tasks in hand.

   With these thoughts in mind, what are the various aspects that relate to this proverb perfectly?

   What occurrences in life depict the reality behind these thoughts?

What are the practical examples of this informational theory?

1.       Travel the world, explore the globe, visit different locations, and reach various destinations – while age allows and energy sustains!

2.       Enjoy food, experiment with cuisines, try out different dishes – while appetite allows.

3.       Spend quality time with family, make plans with friends, network, connect and socialize– while time permits.

4.       March towards goals, take risks, believe in self, experiment, explore, innovate – while life progresses.

5.       Fulfil ambitions, engage in hobbies, spend quality ‘me’ time – while mind desires.

6.       Exercise, perform physical activities, develop, nurture, grow – while body supports.

   With endless possibilities that can suit our circumstances and limitless opportunities that can shower their benefits, living in the present and seizing every moment is truly essential. Inappropriate conditions and unfavorable aspects can drain away all the charm.

   Seize the opportunities and transform them into success, after all shining sun creates hay and shining luck creates happiness!

While walking inside the proverbial park….3

     

      Though proverbs were an essential part of our school journey, I never realized their value till the blogger in me decided to explore this domain closely. As feedback started pouring in, while I moved along the proverbial park, I was amazed by the power of these valuable thoughts. Though we read, recited, wrote, understood and produced them in exams as part of the school curriculum, their real significance was appreciated only after practical application. As matured individuals, when life takes us through different routes every passing day, the meaning of these proverbs turn into reality. It is only after one encounters diverse situations and faces novel adventures, the words of such proverbs come to life. Moving ahead along the course of this thoughtful journey, the next destination awaits our arrival.

                                                                                                                    

Halt 3: Time and Tide waits for no man         

     While this blog may appear as a chapter from time management course, universal significance of the proverb that applies to every age group, gender, religion, caste, nationality and occupation radiates its true value. As dedicated, sincere, disciplined and honest players of life, time and tide continue their game forever. With companions of seconds, minutes and hours, time can keep us glued in its power.

     An extremely essential parameter that influences our work, activities, engagements and tasks; time acts a leader, taking us towards success. Disrespect towards this master does not distract or bother it; as a fixed agenda governs its functioning, it does not believe in halting for those around. Forcing us to match its steps and keep up with the pace; time instills discipline, sincerity and regularity in our conduct. Continuous nature of its activity pushes us towards a fixed approach. As hands of a clock function in a coordinated manner, time prompts us to follow suit.

    A central theme that casts its spell over every area in life, time dictates its rules to each one of us. Be it household chore or professional assignment, leisurely trip or recreational activity, time has an upper hand always. As our plans and goals revolve around the deadlines governed by time, it certainly waits for no concession. Caught within the hold of busy schedule, hectic routine, tedious commitments and strenuous work, we often complain with the hope of grabbing more hours in the day. While this demand, wish, dream or thought can never materialize in our non-fictional world, following the strict schedule of time is the only option available for each one of us.

      Though each of our activities are planned around the theme of time, holidays and vacations offer the option of ignoring the clock. As passing hours do not demand any work or assignment, such breaks provide some degree of flexibility! Teaching the value of time since childhood grants the key of sustained happiness for the entire course of life. As a strict follower of time, schools inculcate the value of sticking to it, right from day one. With this, as time takes the control of every aspect in life, we are left with no other option. Strengthening our bond with time by being punctual and regular are the best means to stay close to it. By being friends with time, we can march towards success, happiness and satisfaction.

    One of the most essential factors for achieving our goals in life, punctuality certainly plays a major role. With an undisputed superiority in every sphere, time invites satisfaction and peace. Though our hard work, sincerity, dedication, devotion and consistent efforts take us towards the end point, success cannot be colored without the shades of punctuality. Our respect and care towards time convert into ingredients for long-lasting peace and happiness.

With this in mind, what is the take-away message for all of us?

·         Time is an essential factor that influences every single aspect in life.

·         Disciplined approach towards this strict member of time can take us towards success.

·         No matter how many prayers we offer, time will never choose to halt for our convenience.

·         Incorporating punctuality as a regular feature in our life is the key to happiness and joy.

·         By respecting the aspect of time for ourselves and those around us, we invite positive and healthy changes in our life.

·         Efficient planning and perfect coordination are extremely essential to make best use of our time.

·         Though we may accumulate lot of wealth and gather numerous assets, time and tide shall continue to march ahead; valuing it along every situation or circumstance is the only key to happiness.

     Thus value, treasure, protect and utilize time well, as flowing waves that rise and fall, time flows through our life –in its own rhythm, at its own pace! 

While walking inside the proverbial park...2

     Halt 2: Look before you leap

      A cautionary proverb with an embedded warning, our next halt in the proverbial park aims to motivate us towards every aspect in life. Framed with a view to sharpen our thinking minds and analyze the prevailing situations, ‘Look before you leap’ warns us about dangers of haste, impatience, misunderstandings and incorrect calculations. Though life grants us several opportunities to improve, develop, rectify and progress; understanding the consequences and preparing for the unexpected are equally essential factors towards success. While errors of the past can be transformed into guidelines for the future, staying cautious during every major move can prevent us from permanent damages.

     Standing strong over the foundation of carefulness, patience, understanding and maturity, the proverb prepares us towards every big task in life. Thoughtful analysis and careful evaluation before the execution of big decisions can ensure favorable output as per our desires. Though failures, mistakes, uncertainties and unavoidable aspects can cast their unwanted spell at any point during the process, our careful look can avoid certain troubles. Excited leap or jump without any considerations can cost us numerous difficulties at later stage, adding to the sorrow of failure, irritation, frustration, despair and defeat.

   Though we may exhibit great levels of care while dealing with major events in life, it is essential to incorporate this habit during our routine daily course, too. Before radiating our excitement over a new development, achievement, fact or belief, we must consider its impact in the long run. While it may not provide all the answers in a perfect and precise manner, it can serve as our guiding light along the way. By staying aware, alert, awake and careful, we can create a pattern for every task in life. Watchful eyes and active mind can prompt us towards analysis. A long jump on the other end of land demands calculation, judgement, trust and faith.

     An aspect that suits every situation in life, look before you leap is certainly the need of the hour. With changing scenario of the globe, as newer challenges greet us on the way, our inputs of care, control, analysis and patience can offer several benefits. From home to work, childhood to old-age, responsibilities to rights, demands to provisions, necessities to luxuries and seriousness to enjoyment, every domain of experience can flourish under the ambiance of careful actions.

    With this theme and thought, inculcating the habit of ‘Look before you leap’ can definitely help us in many ways.

    Join me, as I make an attempt towards framing a step-wise road map that can fit almost every situation in life. Drawing inspiration from this powerful proverb, let us create our customized version for future use!

Step 1: Gather maximum information about any new aspect. Be it work assignment or holiday plan, collecting every possible bit of information can help in the long run.

Step 2: Understand the impact, influence, after effects and results. Evaluate the situation from every angle, before concluding a final decision.

Step 3: Learn from experiences, references and guidance; interacting with seniors or experienced members of the club can benefit us with their valuable pieces of information.

Step 4: Create a rough plan and improvise it along the course of task. By adding variations, beneficial changes and desired differences, one can achieve successful results.

Step 5: Evaluate, analyze, observe, and introspect; spending adequate time towards the new development can ensure desired happiness and enjoyment.

Step 6: Look around for hints, suggestions, ideas and advice that can fit within the required frame. Though every advice may not match our situation or resemble our circumstance, it can act as a guideline to certain extent.

Step 7: Embrace positive attitude and happiness, though we may prepare and plan to the last bit, failures can enter into our lives, uninvited. By holding a positive attitude and healthy mindset, we can overcome troubles, errors, difficulties and face challenges with hope.

    Though these steps can act as guidelines under the spirit of ‘Look before you leap’, adhering to each and every aspect may not be possible. Changing situations can train us for variations. By making the best use of this thought; while hoping for success, happiness and satisfaction, one can certainly convert this proverb into a reality.

    Look before you leap, as things may be deceptive!

While walking inside the proverbial park….1

      Proverbs, thoughts, quotes, phrases– as necessary elements that teach, yet make use of fewer words, each of these have been attached with our lives since good, old times. Though language may differ, accent may vary and dialect may show different shades, these proverbs and thoughts convey the same message to each one alike. Focusing on an essential thought and prompting us towards its significance till the end of time, these proverbs certainly play an essential role. As ever-green factors that can never fade away, understanding the meaning behind these thoughts can color our lives with beautiful shades. While appreciating their significance and incorporating them in our course of life, we realize their true role.

      While the phase of childhood showers us with these proverbs through parents, schools, teachers and curriculum, contemplation of their real meaning is only possible along the real course of living. What enters into our minds as compulsory words soon take the form of valuable lessons, as we realize their impact in our daily lives. Diverse experiences, varied adventures and wide array of encounters train us for the challenge called life. As we walk along the path and attempt to fit into the frame, these proverbs seem to add their own share. Transferring from books to realities, they radiate their charm all around.

      While pondering about the endless list of these proverbs and thoughts, the blogger in me was tempted to revisit the proverbial world. Filled with proverbs that inspired our lives, motivated us in one way or the other, stayed with us to convey their meaning and ensured valuable touch to our living, this walk will take us towards the days of the past. As we move from one interesting proverb to the other, I hope to activate some past memories and ignite the further course.

   So, whether you have heard these thoughts on numerous occasions or whether you are experiencing their magic in close proximity for the first time, gear up for an exciting journey ahead!

Halt 1: Necessity is the mother of invention

     A proverb that can relate with each one of us at some point in our journey of life, necessity certainly gives way to new ideas and newer plans. A strong foundation of inventions, discoveries, innovations and novelties, necessity has given birth to every possible novel aspect that we enjoy today. Though the word ‘invention’ may sound as a break-through innovation or a life changing creation, it can be equated to any simple experience of daily life.

    Change in circumstances, situations, experiences or encounters can force us to adjust our daily course of routine life, giving rise to newer adventures. While fitting in the frame of life with new specifications and measurements, we are prompted to innovate and invent.

    A thought that enlightens us about the value of adjustments, necessity is the fuel that adds power to our ideas. By forcing us to think about new actions, thoughts and aspects, our needs form the primary support of every novel task. An extremely essential factor that motivates us to enjoy living, necessity ensures consistent change and continuous improvement. Taking us away from the boredom of stagnancy, necessity keeps us on our toes. By opening doors to novelties, needs drive the desire to form, create and construct. Though we all can invest our efforts and resources towards creations and innovations, basic human instinct relies on the basis of ‘necessity’. Unless we need something, we do not engage in experiments or attempts towards creating it.

    A recent close encounter with this thought gave way to the idea of the post. By learning and utilizing new factors that were ignored quite often, I realized that need is the most powerful fuel to start, sustain and stabilize. Impacting and influencing our life in one way or the other, necessity ensures progress, development, improvement and success. 

    By entering our journey during simple acts and simpler encounters, we come across its daily relevance along the path of life. We will be surprised to realize that every aspect around us takes birth from the womb of need. From household value to commercial importance, from technological utilities to luxurious trends, every domain celebrates the essence of necessity. A universal element for each one alike, necessity is truly the mother of invention.

What are your experiences with this thought? Do you believe in the reality of this proverb or consider it as yet another literary work?

Hope you enjoyed this halt at the proverbial park, while we continue our stroll ahead!  

Patience versus Impatience – whose side are you on?

       

     With majority of my loved ones belonging to the team called ‘Patience’, and very few with me on the side of ‘Impatience’, exploring this topic and wondering about the thought appeared extremely exciting. A father who appears as the undisputed captain of this team for several years now and an elder sister who is following him closely, my immense love for impatience and absolute affection towards haste prevented me from joining their peaceful influence. 

     While entire childhood was spent in convincing them about the benefits of impatience and devising ways to avoid their part of the story, marital union with much larger fan of the ‘Patience’ team has brought life to a full circle! As I exhibit my impatience yet again, and deal with peaceful people all around, this thought deserved adequate attention.

     Though I believe in the strength of peace, calmness, silence and maturity, immense patience towards every aspect in life is certainly impossible. While staying patient showers its own set of fruitful aspects, eagerness to accomplish a task or haste to complete a job can drive one towards the path of impatience. As major decisions in this journey called ‘life’ demand patience, understanding, willingness and preparation, our attitude of impatience can influence the outcome. Though hard work, efforts, dedication and practice are necessary inputs from our end; patience and trust for its completion are extremely essential too. As circumstances or situations may change their color at any moment, patience is the only shade that never chooses to leave.

      Patience imparts maturity to our character, offering enough time to think, contemplate, analyze and decide. While patience resembles a slow track that experiences every bit of the journey, impatience is the express route with tendency to over-speed. Impatience can never yield any desirable outcome as it clashes with the need for analysis. Be it a domestic activity or a workplace role, be it a leisurely adventure or a significant task, every domain of our life can be influenced by this attitude of impatience. By offering more time, aspect of patience ensures careful judgement. Belief in inner self and trust in one’s efforts fuel the successful journey of a patient individual. By investing more resources towards completion of a project, players of the patient team ensure success, satisfaction, happiness and content.

   Though impatience may sound as the villain of this story, my affection towards it certainly demands some justification. While I will never encourage anyone to incorporate this element in their own conduct, I was prompted to look at its brighter side. Impatience demands planning, fast execution, quick responses and quicker actions. Not relying on silence and stability, impatient conduct forces one to be on the toes. While this attitude has forced me to always stay prepared for several hours in advance, haste towards accomplishment and impatience towards completion have certainly acted as my best friends throughout!

    Striking a perfect balance between both these teams may prove beneficial. While some big decisions in life demand all possible investment of patience, certain time-sensitive acts may prompt the involvement of impatience.

    So, while you are still pondering about which side you have chosen finally, let me introduce you to the highlights of each team (this can make your decision process simpler)

Team A: PATIENCE

Highlights:

·         Involve themselves in thinking, contemplating, analyzing before framing a final decision

·         Silent, cheerful, happy and peaceful conduct

·         Belief and trust in self, confidence to achieve success

·         Realize the value of time and wait for it to spread its charm

·         Prevent panic, chaos, last moment confusion and invest in silent thinking

·         Look forward to the final outcome, yet enjoy every moment of the long journey

·         Make priorities according to the significance of every task

Team B: IMPATIENCE

Highlights:

·         Believe in quick actions and fast responses

·         Hope for immediate answers towards every query

·         Respect time and prepare well in advance

·         Stay away from deep thinking and invest in practical execution

·         Always equipped for action, while planning and packing in haste

·         Consider analysis as waste of time, trust in the power of trials and retrials.

        While it is impossible to wear patience or impatience as the only outfit for every occasion, it is essential to adopt a flexible approach and an understanding attitude. Adopting essence of patience can benefit in the long run as every task in the future may appear as peaceful and satisfying.

  So whether you choose to advocate patience or promote impatience; enjoy their influence, after all life is about trials, errors, experiments and retrials, over and over again!

Loving yourself

      

      Right from the moment we take birth in our mother’s womb, a strong bond of connection begins. What starts off as the first experience of love, enters into various molds as we move along the journey called life. From parents’ love to siblings’ attachment, from equation with relatives to network of friends, the magnitude of love increases by multiple folds along the path. While new relations develop with passing time, newer titles get added into our plot, showering more doses of unconditional love. A never ending supply that continuous right till the end, several new relations of spouse, children and grandchildren bring their own unique stock of love.

    While we are taught to respect, nurture, retain and enrich love in the form of these relations, essential chapters about loving ourselves are often deleted from the curriculum. As the blogger in me hunts for inspiration, creativity, motivation and purpose, I realized the relevance of this aspect in every area of life. 

     In the crucial, challenging, adventurous and difficult course of our story, we tend to ignore the essential task of loving our own selves. While fulfilling responsibilities, performing duties, maintaining relationships and valuing our loved ones, we exhaust all our time, energy, resources and interest. With this, as we enter into the continuous cycle of life, we are not able to include the phase of loving ourselves.

    Though loving ourselves seems to be the easiest action on earth, it is the most commonly ignored, forgotten, misinterpreted and assumed activity by each one of us. While we invest numerous efforts and lace them with dedication, devotion, trust and care for our loved ones, we fail to replicate it for our side of the story. Loving ourselves is not a complicated project that demands preparation, skills, plans and analysis, all it needs is strong will towards execution.

     Misinterpreted as a selfish involvement, loving ourselves is often correlated with incorrect behavior. Spending quality time with self, engaging in enjoyable activities, nurturing hidden talent and introspecting our route towards destination are beneficial factors that deserve our attention. Though taking care of inner mind and strengthening it with desired elements demand contribution from our end, balancing it with our worldly affairs is the key to success. Excess weight-age to one relation alone or excessive involvement into ourselves always can perform more harm than good.

    So, whether I have convinced you to love yourself in a novel way or whether I have voiced your belief through the blogger’s way, let us look at some of the means to love ourselves. After all, ideas give rise to possibilities and suggestions give way to improvements.

1.       Engage in ‘me’ time

Dedicated session for our hobbies, creative tasks, leisure, relaxation, physical fitness or enjoyment, spending ‘me’ time every day is extremely essential. While it may last for couple of few minutes or few hours, designing activities for ourselves offer lot of advantages.

Do not compromise that 10 minutes meditation or prayer session for some commitment outside, after all ‘me’ time is the ‘most essential’ time.

2.       Introspect and inspect

Thoughts and ideas play an important role in our development. Thinking about our future while drawing lessons from past can work wonders, this makes it essential to engage in introspection as a means to understand ourselves.

Talk to your mind as your best friend for life.

3.       Work for your own happiness

Happiness is a choice to be made by ourselves. Involving into tasks of interest and passion can color the canvas of our future. Drawing happiness from our own efforts offer the pure taste of joy, depending on others for content and love can lead to disappointment.

Indulge into your favorite food or enjoy your most loved movie.

4.       Break conventions, think out of the box!

While loving ourselves, engaging in novel fun-filled activities that are not followed by others or not recommended by the so-called society is absolutely perfect. Practicing our passion for dance, music, arts or any form can nurture love for ourselves.

March towards progress from a bathroom singer to a stage performer or dance like no one is watching, after all thinking out of the box is the first step towards loving yourself.

5.       Appreciate and pamper yourself

Though self-pompous nature is absolutely incorrect by all means, appreciating ourselves for hard work and success can motivate us towards further course of action. Occasional pampering with our favorite activities can energize us for the journey ahead.

 Pat your back or clap for yourself, as you are your best possible critic ever.

        Hope these few suggestions can ignite your thoughts about loving yourself.  Love yourself and spread the love, after all you are the dearest member of your own club!

What is ‘ideal’ about ‘ideal’?

       Perfect, excellent, flawless, error-proof – while these terms point to the state of being ‘ideal’, achieving this position or reaching up to the mark demands great efforts and a determined attitude. Be it any field or any situation, an ideal outcome is the most desired aspect for every individual. An abstract idea that cannot be defined, an imaginative desire that cannot be specified, it is extremely difficult to frame the guidelines of the word ‘ideal’. With unique priorities that govern our lives and diverse opinions that decorate our personalities, it is certainly impossible to throw light on a universal aspect of an ‘ideal’ life.

  

    While looking at the diverse lifestyles of individuals around us, we often ponder about their experiences, feelings, thoughts and ambitions. Realization of the thought that the grass on the other side is always green fueled this post as an attempt to understand the reality of the ‘ideal’ term. As every aspect in life is laced with its own highlights and lowlights, it is difficult to confer it with the tag of ‘ideal’. 

    

     Be it a career choice or a city to settle down, be it an asset of high value or a long-term significant decision, every factor of our life forces us to think about its advantages and disadvantages. While declaring something as ‘ideal’ and enforcing it on ourselves or loves ones around us can never yield any positive outcome, weighing our options against the theme of possibilities turns out to be the most correct way in the long run.

     As uncertainties and changing circumstances choose to cast their spell at unexpected moments, deciding an ideal game plan for several years into the future may not be the most ‘ideal’ task in the present. With great diversities in our mindset, beliefs, desires and dreams, showering ‘ideal’ flavors on every aspect is certainly impossible. As no two individuals are alike, labeling one’s condition as ‘ideal’ while comparing it against that of the other is truly an incorrect way of declaring a winner. 

      While any race or competition demands judgement against equal parameters, this game called ‘ideal’ does not match any of those conditions. An ideal situation for one may turn out to be the most undesirable thought for the other or an unacceptable aspect for one may wear the hat of ‘ideal’ opportunity for the other. A plot dominated with different characters and following a novel storyline, equating our stories with those around us can never give any constructive feedback.

      Though motivation for magnified happiness and amplified satisfaction powers our efforts towards consistent hard work, it is necessary to realize that the controls of our joy and content lie within our own scope. Impossible hunt of an ‘ideal’ experience or impossible quest for an ‘ideal’ condition can prompt us to move away from our goal. While marching towards the unrealistic end point of ‘ideal’, we may sacrifice the enjoyment, fun, adventures and experiences of the moment. Resembling a mirage that disappears as we move closer to it, an ‘ideal’ factor does just the same!

      Though at the end, we all realize that what is ‘ideal’ about ‘ideal’ is an impossible question by all means, dreaming about an ‘ideal’ life in an ‘ideal’ location, with ‘ideal’ people and ‘ideal’ resources is nothing less than a wonderful task. While imagining the presence of ‘ideal’ aspects all around and hoping for their consistent magic, this word does seem to hold some significance in one way or the other.

 What are the most common ideal parameters we all can think about?

Let us look at them, not with aim to declare them as ‘ideal’, but to explore the fun behind our typical thought-process!

1.       ‘Ideal’ family – Cool parents, cooler grandparents, extremely peaceful siblings, spouse who always praises and kids who always listen!

(Come back to reality, do not forget it is ‘ideal’ not ‘real’!!)

2.       ‘Ideal’ stream of education – Easy curriculum, much easier exams, insignificant assignments, lenient teachers and no grades.

(Hope my teachers are not reading this!)

3.       ‘Ideal’ job – invisible deadlines, loads of salary, frequent vacations and boss who is ‘out-of-office’ forever.

(Kind attention to all the HR teams, kindly note the above requirements to sustain your employees!)

4.       ‘Ideal’ house – marginal

EMI of loan, no down-payment, large area with lawn, back yard, front yard and numerous rooms to hide into! 

(Even half of this is too good to be true)

5.       ‘Ideal’ vacations – minimum travel, maximum adventures, world-wide trips to greet every town, village, city and country on the globe for longer duration.  

(Dear Husband, these are some of the achievable assignments for you)

6.       ‘Ideal’ food – light on calories, delicious (oily, spicy, tasty, sugary) yet healthy, low on cost but high on satisfaction.

(Probably the most desired and common ‘ideal’ aspect for all)

 While these thoughts were framed with the sole purpose of taking us towards humor and lighter sides of life, how ‘ideal’ is ‘ideal’ is an abstract fodder for the mind.

Explore the various experiences, offerings, situations and adventures, while enjoying their imperfectness and uncertainties; after all the theme of ‘ideal’ runs in our imagination, but feel of ‘real’ materializes in our present. 

While somewhere between ‘developing’ and ‘developed’…..

       

        With roots in a home country that is marching aggressively towards the transition from ‘developing’ to ‘developed’; and branches in the current residence that wears the hat of a ‘developed’ nation; witnessing the conduct of each of these two diverse experiences has been truly educational and interesting at the same time. While the word ‘developing’ represents an on-going process, ‘developed’ status relates to its completion that depicts stability. Though the start of this post speaks about countries, their incorporation is purely symbolic. With an aim to ponder about the growing benefits of a ‘developing’ status and satisfaction of a ‘developed’ achievement, this blog was the end product of such a contemplation.

      Be it any sphere of life, developing mode prompts us to work hard every passing day. As an inspiration to reach the developed mark, this hard work motivates us to sow innumerable efforts. Transition from developing to developed assures us of correct movement in a correct direction. It acts as a torchlight that can provide guidelines for the correct route. ‘Developing’ to ‘developed’ is a process that demands consistent efforts, dedicated commitment and devoted approach. Faith towards completion of task in hand is the only fuel that can power this difficult transition. While developed status can invite laziness, developing mode cannot afford halts, stops or withdrawals.

     The move from ‘developing’ to ‘developed’ can relate to our education, profession, family and assets. In the continuous journey called life, every task demands our attention and presence. When one step of education is crossed, we find ourselves on the next step of career. When career and family appear to be in place, ‘assets’ call for our attention. As we move from the developing to developed phase in each of these acts of life, we realize the significance of persistence, patience, positivity and practice. As soon as one achievement changes the title of domain from developing to developed, the next domain waits for its turn. Continuous cycle of development towards the final destination is the factor that keeps one going.

     While somewhere between developing and developed, we experience several dynamic changes all around. Changes that offer diverse sights, changes that provide novel adventures - they pump energy and enthusiasm into our system. By adopting a different look each time, the path of progress appears interesting. As developing nations strive towards innovative ideas to gain a developed position, they are able to invite exciting changes and witness remarkable improvements. While developed nation celebrates the same pattern for several years from past to the future, developing nations are able to experiment, explore and execute. 

    

    Though the journey from developing to developed station seems interesting, new and exciting, it is necessary to alight at the correct destination. As we cannot spend all our lives along routes and paths, celebrating our successful arrival at the desired location is extremely satisfying.

      An on-going process that is filled with uncertainties, difficulties, challenges yet exciting experiences, this development is truly wonderful. No matter it relates to which particular sector of life, the development trail showers similar experiences throughout. Be it a professional skill that demands development or a hobby that requires involvement, be it a talent that requires improvement or a fun-filled activity that desires engagement, every part of our life is influenced by the stages of under-development to complete development. The journey offers gems of excitement, entertainment and fulfillment. 

     As the next step towards this thought, l was tempted to pen down the advantages of both the ‘developing’ and ‘developed’ mode, while we relate them with our own experiences.

Sugar coated highlights of the ‘developing’ stage:

·         It inspires us to work hard, show consistent efforts and possess the willingness to grow.

·         By channeling our thoughts towards progress, it takes us towards continuous improvement

·         While moving towards development, this mode encourages us to never give up. Though the path may appear difficult, the thought of bagging a ‘developed’ status inspires us to stay determined.

·         By lacing us with a humble attitude, down-to-earth conduct and considerate behavior, this stage prompts us to help each other, seek guidance from one another and benefit from experienced advice.

·         It offers the true taste of our efforts, while showing us the magic of determination, devotion and dedication.

 

Honey- flavored highlights of the ‘developed’ stage:

                           

·      Developed stage fills our heart with pride, satisfaction, content and happiness.

·      It acts as the wining trophy of our hard work and commitment.

·      It can pose as an example for those around us, displaying the significance of consistent work.

·      Developed mode can guide us to begin the next assignment with enhanced levels of vigor and preparation.

·      Successful encounter with the developed stage can boast our confidence and enable new experiments for the next experience.

       These are the sweet flavors of both the developing and developed modes as each one is essential in our version of the story.

      Focus at the start of the developing mode, enjoy the transition and rejoice at the developed achievement – after all life shows its true colors while somewhere between ‘developing’ and ‘developed’!