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Share Your Story…

It was the last 2kms of our 4-day trek to Chandrashila (12000ft) in Uttarakhand. We had a turnaround time and I had to decide on whether I would continue because my fellow trekkers were waiting. I had already trekked for 4 hours and I broke down because the summit was just 2kms away and I was tired.

At that moment a friend who had been with me since the beginning of the trek became a living inspiration. We had been together for the last 4 days and she was ever so quiet. She shared brief stories from her previous treks and a little bit more. She trekked alone and was superb in descent.

That is all I knew about her till this moment. She saw me weak and she said softly – “I am a cancer survivor and once I overcame the fear of dying I engaged in every adventure sport because I realized no feeling is worse than the thought that you may JUST die without trying, without experiencing. In the last 2 years, I have done bungee jumping, scuba diving, and treks, because I felt what dying was like.”

That’s it, said nothing more, she smiled with moist eyes, turned around and started trekking. I was stunned and speechless. Suddenly the pain and fatigue seemed nothing. My issues became so petty that I could no longer hold on to them.

She looked back, gestured for me to come along and I resumed. Every step gave pain, and every breath felt heavy but a voice inside kept saying – “I am going to conquer this!”

I came across a post on LinkedIn about how one should share their stories, which may become a survival guide for the other. This article is an inspiration from the same.

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The Voice Inside

Silence and space hold many answers. Why do we feel good on a retreat? Because there are no sounds or commitments. We enjoy the openness of space because otherwise we are bound to our homes and workstations.

When we shut the noise we can hear the voice inside. We can hear the voice inside when we create a space between self and the other.

Most of the time the voice asks us to make tough decisions like –

– Detachment

– Disconnection and

– Discontinuation

from work and people.

The mind is feeble and fears the consequences of the decision, but the voice keeps repeating. Because the voice knows that the reality is not as grave as it seems to the mind. The mind has a habit of overplaying and overimagining. This inner voice keeps you rooted in reality. It clears all the mental drama and

Listening to the voice carefully and upholding what it says requires tremendous courage.

But it is the only way to feel liberated.

Today, listen to the voice and do what it says!

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Importance and Easy Ways for Building Acceptance

Acceptance is a nature, a habit. The way we develop good habits like, eating healthy, sleeping well, and exercising we need to build acceptance. Acceptance is a powerful state which releases energy blocked in the following –

  • Complaints and resentment
  • Continuous hoping for things to be different and
  • Anxiety about the future

These habits drain us of vital energy, and we keep shouldering our responsibilities unenthusiastically. We feel less accomplished despite giving all that we had. But the truth is a large share of our zest for life is consumed by non-acceptance

Social media plays a crucial role in enhancing the state of non-acceptance because we forget that no one is posting their failures. Travel, fashion, family, art, and everything else intimidate and make us dislike our current state.

Developing acceptance is a conscious process that requires time. One factor that gets in our way is that we equate acceptance with surrender. We feel that this habit makes us vulnerable, so we lash back with full strength, only to give in once again because everything in our lives is meant to be just the way it is!

Why is it important to develop acceptance?

Following are some reasons why developing acceptance is important

  • You feel enthusiastic because you accept that you have to work.
  • You are less irritable as there is minimal to zero internal resistance
  • You celebrate the success and achievements of others
  • You direct your energies towards being and not simply doing

The crux is that acceptance brings back the lost joy in our lives. The lingering uneasiness about the past and the future ceases to exist, and we become one with the present, an empowering and powerful state.

How do you develop acceptance?

Developing acceptance is not complicated because it is our true nature. The Universe is designed based on the principles of acceptance, and we are a part of it. Other living beings never question their state or situation and continue to grow.

It is important to uphold our values and beliefs, but unchecked non-acceptance often transforms into a big ego. It is exhausting to fight the world but equally effortless to do all that is in our control with complete acceptance.

Following are some ways to develop acceptance –

  • Understand that it is not a subdued and vulnerable state and consider it the starting point of change.
  • Don’t stick to the perfect solutions and accept that you may need to think and act alternatively
  • Stop looking at any situation as permanent, and know that it is a phase which will pass.
  • Be proud of how far you have come. Change self-pity into self-respect
  • Learn to let go and move on. Acceptance demands complete attention, and we cannot afford to hold on to grudges.
  • Be grateful for what you have so that you can use it to accomplish more.

Acceptance opens the mind to new solutions and helps keep peace inside and outside. Be it macro issues like wars, or micro issues like work pressure, all stem from non-acceptance of the current situation.

Let me end the article on a positive note, requesting you to accept at least one thing that you otherwise resent.

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Happiness is a Mindset

Happiness leaves no scars, hence it is easy to forget.

The human mind finds meaning in problems and negativity. The moment you drive it towards positivity and happiness it throws the following words at you –

– You are foolish

– You are so innocent

– You are vulnerable

– You are weak

– You do not accept the reality…

It systematically challenges your positivity. And you fall into the trap and start acting otherwise.

Whenever these thoughts come in to bother you, reiterate and tell yourself

– I want to do my best no matter what

– I want to give unconditionally

– I want to forgive and let go

– I want to live fully and freely

– I am secure and no one can take advantage of me

Fight the battle with strength and soon the negative pattern will cease to exist paving the way for foolish optimism (as they call it). But don’t you think it is better than energy-draining pessimism?

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Know How Humble You Are!

Humility is a superpower!

Check how humble you are by answering the following 5 questions –

1. Do you mention how you contribute to the team or spend your day without being asked?

If the answer to this is yes, you are not humble. You may argue that you are just narrating facts, but the reality is that you are superimposing yourself on the other by glorifying your ways.

2. Do you always feel extra pressure in team/group projects and presentations?

If yes, it means you lack humility. If you self-analyze you will realize that you feel the pressure more because you consider yourself above others and doubt their abilities.

3. Do you micromanage intentionally or unintentionally?

If yes, it means you are far from being humble. Micromanaging is not for the good of the project or others in the team, it is because you consider your ways superior.

4. Do you always find a negative in the other person?

If yes, then you need help with humility. When you always find a negative in the other, it implies that by mentioning the negative you want to establish your supremacy over the other.

5. Do you use a lot of ‘I’ in your conversations?

If yes, then consider it as a subtle sign to recheck how humble you are. When discussing your day with your spouse or a friend if you throw a lot of ‘I’s’ like – I did this, I did that, I thought about it, I faced it, and so on, it means you are self-obsessed with your ways.

The opposite of humility is not pride, it is stagnation because humility means growth.

I hope the above questions will steer your mind towards humility, an important virtue!

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It’s Time We Judge a Woman in the Light of Her Beautiful Dreams

A messy home = A messy woman

👆 our society believes.

But if you closely observe a messy home indicates that the woman of the house is pursuing her dreams.

She prioritizes and takes the important energy-consuming tasks first, followed by routine house chores that can be done in autopilot mode. Till then the house lies as it is.

She is designing a new product or has joined a new team, and she cannot cook new delicacies every day. The commitments demand time and once she settles she will cook your favourites.

She is feeling weak and wants to devote some time to her health, and she prefers not to do laundry every day. Exercise needs consistency and soon she will make it a habit.

She is connecting with new clients to promote her venture and has little time to socialize. Soon she will have a set clientele and will have the time to meet and greet happily.

She is pressed for time and expecting a hand with housework. The day she is easy, she takes up extra cleaning and sourcing.

She had a long day and needs rest. The next day morning she will be full of energy and balance everything.

We need to understand that there is a reason why she is unavailable. We need to appreciate that she is dreaming, aspiring, and building.

A messy home = An ambitious woman

P.S. – She cannot visualize her growth in her children and spouse because she has her independent calibre.

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How to Make Your Work Speak

Do you feel that you don’t get the credit that you deserve?

Living out of a state of constant regret is not a good thing. The feeling is depressing, and it keeps pulling you down.

You may be thinking – “I know that. But what can I do? Every time I can’t keep mentioning what I did for the project. It is for the others to understand.”

I agree that keeping your work ‘high-key’ is not a good approach either.

While this an intense topic, here are a few things you can do to handle this issue –

  • In project meetings, share your views with confidence. It indirectly implies that you have done your homework.

  • You can try giving a brief overview to your senior (in case he does not know) of your contribution. Remember, it is professional, not impolite.

  •  If you are working on a particular part of the project, try to see it through to completion. Even if you require technical assistance, ensure that the final result is as planned, which means you have done your job thoroughly.

  • Do not discuss it bitterly with colleagues and family. Remember, it never helps and only increases the resentment.

  • Do not keep feeding the feeling. The more you think about it, the more vulnerable you become. It assumes its worst form when you fail to distinguish between real and imaginary. You feel ignored and unnoticed every time, even if the reality is different.

The feeling of being unnoticed is a highly internalized emotion that acts as a slow poison and empties you from the inside.

It is wise to accept the situation and take the above steps to improve the situation. It is also a good idea to shift focus on areas where you excel.

As you transcend from acceptance to improvement, be calm. Haphazard efforts will create chaos and make you look like some desperate attention seeker.

Always keep in mind – Let your work speak!

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A Simple Effective Way to Deal with Delays

Punctuality is not about being on time but about respecting your commitments 🕒

Punctuality is not for others; it is for you.

How do you deal with a situation where you are punctual but others are not?

A natural response is irritation because you feel like a fool as you scheduled and planned your exit to arrive on time, and it was not a coincidence.

Here is how you can deal with it 👇

– Do not spoil your temperament (remember you made it on time 👏 )

– Communicate to others that you do not appreciate delays

– And move on without carrying baggage

The longer you keep the thought in your head, the longer you will take to start functioning optimally.

In moments like these, remind yourself that the purpose of the meeting is higher than these petty issues.

Punctuality is the key to dependability, and it hurts when others fail to show up, but you have no control over it.

You may get confused and lower your time standards, but it will leave you feeling worse because it is not your inherent nature.

Take pride in your habit and stick to it, no matter what, but don’t let the habit change you into an ever-irritable, complaining person.

Another important thing is that the world learns enough by example, so don’t waste your time preaching punctuality. 

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Easy Way to Get Started With Self-Improvement for Real Growth

How can I achieve unthinkable success?

Become addicted to constant and never-ending self-improvement.

If you look at the lives of veteran actors, successful professionals, renowned athletes, and respected creators, they have one thing in common – a burning desire to improvise. Their fame is in the public eye, but the gruelling hours spent on skill enhancement are not visible even to their immediate family.

You may think, “I have a long working day, and many things are lying unattended due to lack of time. Where is the room for self-improvement?”

👆 is a faulty thinking pattern.

Following are the 3 simple steps to get started –

Step 1

Create an intent – “I want to improve and do better than yesterday.”

Step 2

Make a list of areas for improvement in your personal and professional life.

Step 3

An important step is to set marginal goals. For example –

– I will jog for 5 extra minutes.

– I will help a colleague if need be

– I will smile a little more

– I will read 3 pages of the new book

– I will spend 15 minutes upgrading my skills

And the list goes on…

Initially, you may be unable to allot even 10 minutes for the tasks, but gradually you develop a habit. Marginal goals support your endeavour of self-improvement as they demand marginal time.

Your goals are enough to motivate you, and in a few months, you will achieve tremendous progress. Once you accomplish the small targets, you naturally expand and raise the bar higher.

You experience a shift in your thought process, and you start creating room for self-improvement.

The process of self-improvement is divine as it makes you feel closer to the source of all creation.

The Universe aligns to help the one seeking improvement, and the best part is you cease to look for external acknowledgement.

For genuine content that has the power to uplift, please get in touch at [email protected]. My niche is wellbeing and sustainable living, but my skills in research and language make me adept at taking up content projects across sectors.

Share your thoughts on self-improvement and the methods you follow in the comments.

Remember, engagement makes an idea meaningful, making it viral and thus benefitting many!!!

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One Important Thing to Learn From the Paris Olympic Athletes

Consistency is the buzzword at the Paris Olympics 2024. Every athlete from anywhere in the world owes their success to the persistent hours when, they practised alone, with no one to watch, acknowledge, or support.

Just like the athletes, each one of us has a dream to be an improved person—we seek improvement in terms of health, knowledge, emotional intelligence, skill set, and other attributes.

Reading, meditating, learning, and similar self-development activities feature in almost every person’s to-do list, but you seldom put a tick beside them.

You realize that these activities are non-urgent but important.

And due to procrastination, lethargy, distractions, and busyness, you fail to devote time to them.

After a few months, you stop trying to pursue, and after a few years, you give up completely, and they don’t show in your to-do anymore.

But imagine the situation where you would have worked on those tasks!

You would have been a different person today!

By working consistently on self-growth, you become a different person. You acquire a personality where you are more confident and accomplished.

How do you move from giving up to taking up self-growth tasks?

Here is a 7-step method –

1. Set small goals daily

2. Fight hard against your moods, and make sure to start

3. Once you have started, ensure you spend minimal focused time on the task

4. Before you end, compare how you fared as against yesterday

5. If you were on par, be happy that you maintained the level

6. If you were better, feel proud of the progress

7. If you were poor, try giving some more time, such that you match the previous level

The last point looks senselessly pushy but makes all the difference.

You have to tell your mind that you are not engaging in its stupid games, and you will continue to pursue come what may.

You have to show your mind that you are stronger than it.

Soon, you train your mind, and it stops tampering and interfering, and that’s when you share your stories of consistency with others, just like the Olympic athletes.