Be it in our professional or personal lives, we do find ourselves at our wits’ end, not knowing where to go, what to do. At times like that a kind soul comes along and through kind words, meaningful gestures or any kind of help that seems appropriate at that moment, aids us in sailing through that tough challenge. It is only when we anchor in safe harbors again that we reach out to that kind soul and say Thank You.

These two small words….Thank You….can carry a lot of weight. They express feelings of gratitude to somebody who has been generous with their words, affection, money or any other gesture. We use these words so often, but how many times do we really feel it in our hearts or do we just fall into the trap of saying it mechanically? Let us ask ourselves honestly how often have we really, sincerely thanked someone from the bottom of our heart and felt really grateful for that person’s presence in our life.

Those closest to us and who do so much for us without really being asked to are taken for granted. Never for a moment do we stop to think that by saying, Thank You in some way we are not only acknowledging their presence in our lives but also make them feel worthy of being who they are.

Thank You…. sometimes said very softly yet it contains a whole lot of heartfelt emotions, sometimes said with tearful eyes and sometimes said between sobs, but at all times these two precious words should carry a lot of weight for both the person expressing appreciation and the one receiving it.

Let’s look at the person saying Thank You. Now here is a person expressing gratitude to the other because the other’s actions have had an impact on his/her life. It does take a lot to say a heartfelt, meaningful, Thank You. Not only that, it also means the person acknowledging the kind gesture has the capacity to recognize qualities of kindness, giving, generosity and a loving nature in the person from whom he/she has received so much. Thus just that one expression of Thank You can have an enormous effect for both – the receiver and the giver.

In fact there is so much to be thankful for, from the Creator to our natural surroundings; from family and friends to our working colleagues. Every moment should be a moment of gratitude. But how often do we, in our fast-paced lives express or live the attitude of gratitude? Saying Thank You makes you feel lighter and better and in some way it is also an enriching experience for the person receiving the sentiments. Go ahead, think of all who have in some way or the other made a difference to your life…. reach out and say Thank You.

I sat in silence, just watching. The words started coming first slowly and then more rapidly. This is what the sea spoke to me that day.

The waves come to the shore only to go back and merge with their source as one. So, do we come into this world, to learn our lessons and go back and merge with our Creator as one. This life on earth is temporary. Our body, our home, everything is temporary. Nothing is permanent. Why then do you cling and get attached?

This causes much misery, but if we accept that everything and everyone in this world is here only temporarily, we can enjoy what life has to offer even more. Enjoy every moment and move on.
The next lot of waves got with it a rotting branch, some plastic bags with flowers; they all lay by my feet while the waves flattened, retreated to the sea. Softly, gently telling me, always remember in life whatever you give out, comes back, so take care of  the words you speak, your action, as sometime or the other it will all come back to you. So true, I thought reflecting on these words.
Cool breeze started blowing and the waves started coming in faster and louder, lashing against the rocks close by.

I got up and started walking, the combination of the sound of the waves and the breeze seemed to say – look forward to what the next moment has to offer you. Welcome it with open arms and receive with grace. Life is beautiful; see it in the right perspective.

River rafting too is a sport that very subtly gives us an insight into life. Geared with our life jackets we venture into the Ganges for river rafting, all set to face the rapids that come our way. There are some rapids that literally throw us off balance, yet, we survive the rapid. As we drift along in the calm river again, there is excitement building up to gear up for the next rapid. Having experienced the highs of river rafting, I quietly sat by the Ganges that evening and watched it flow by. The lamps lit by many pilgrims reflecting a beautiful yellow orange flame on the river had something else to say to me. Life too gives you its share of rapids – how do you react? How often do you say why me?

So true, I thought to myself. Life’s rapids come to us in the forms of various experiences – some pleasant and some not so pleasant. The pleasant ones we accept willingly while the unpleasant ones we crib about. Come to think of it, how boring life would be if it was a straight smooth sail drifting along. It is the rapids in our lives that strengthen us, gives us a high, a low. Growth happens when we go through the rapids in our lives.

These are the joy rides of our lives. Life is sometimes smooth going round and round like the merry go round, sometimes like the giant wheel – up and down and up again. But at the end of it all, it’s nothing but a joy ride.

So, enjoy life, enjoy the joy ride.

Yes, the bad weather did leave its mark on the big, strong mountain – an erosion here, an erosion there but that didn’t make a difference. The snow made its home on the mountain, yet it never complained of feeling cold but was rather proud of the beauty the snow added to it. When the snow melted away, it took with it the mountain soil – a souvenir of the mountain. The strong winds too would take with them something from the mountain, but still the mountain stood there big and strong, beautiful and radiant.

The little girl wondered why we couldn’t be like the big strong mountain. In spite of all our troubles, no matter who tramples all over us, if we could be like the big, strong mountain, how nice it would be – no tears, no sorrows and no complaints. In the stillness, she heard a little voice say to her:

Yes, you too can be like the big, strong   mountain, but for that my dear, you have to weather the storms in your life first, experience the pleasant and unpleasant and learn from it. Remember, no one can do any harm to you unless you allow it. If you are cool and calm in all your moments, then you too can be like the big, strong mountain.

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Arpita Ghosh conducts various  training modules on communication skills, goal-setting,  developing leadership skills, Life is A Blank Canvass – Create Your Own Picture, Follow Your Heart and many others at college and corporate level.

THE WALK

I looked all around me, there was no one?
I was alone within the four walls.
From deep within, this voice cried out –
Go out into the open, you will feel better.

So, I went out for a walk –
Amidst the trees I walked and heard the whispers of the wind,
The birds chirping away making merry,
The rustlings of the leaves – I heard them all
It was like a welcome song.

There I stood in the open, surrounded by greenery, the blue sky above me,
The gentle waves came towards me as though to gather me in their arms.
And standing there amidst nature, I heard all of them say to me
You are never alone; we are always there with you.

BIRDS

The birds flew above the trees, chirping away.
I watched them fly, so carefree they seemed.
Lucky them to have wings, take off anywhere, any time
Without a worry in their mind.
They always seemed to move in flocks
Displaying the ability of trust in their kind –
A lesson for sure we humans could learn.

I watched them fly, towards the sky
Oh! What a feeling it must be
To soar high above towards the sky.
But I don’t have wings to fly.
From deep within the Inner Voice said,
You too can soar high my child,
Your wings may seem invisible to you,
But they are very much there if you care to look.
Your special skills and talents when used rightly
Will help you soar towards the sky,
Just know the potentials within you which dormant lie.

ACCEPTANCE

I know myself better than others do; yet I need assurance from them,
I’m good in this, good in that. WHY?

This is the reply I got:

You claim to know yourself better but in actual fact you are still groping in the dark.
You are aware of your strength & weakness,
You have accepted your strength but not your weakness.
If you cannot accept yourself as whole, how then can you expect others to accept you?

Thus the constant need of other’s assurance,
With their assurance I feel accepted.
It went on till I read the line
“Lift yourself by yourself, do not condemn yourself.”
(Bhagwad Gita Chapter 6 V 5)

The veil of ignorance is lifted
My weakness is as much as part of me as is my strength.
I acknowledge them and work towards overcoming my weakness.
I accept myself as I am; now I don’t need assurance from others.

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Arpita Ghosh conducts various  training modules on communication skills, goal-setting,  developing leadership skills, Life is A Blank Canvass – Create Your Own Picture, Follow Your Heart and many others at college and corporate level.

In today’s world of consumerism and competition it is important that we realize the need of the day. It is to identify our own unique potential and not be like the boy/girl next door. The herd mentality will not do because somewhere in the long run we realize what works for someone need not work for us.

Let’s take for example our very own hand – all five fingers are not the same, the same applies to the human race, we are not the same. Can you imagine the thumb saying, “hey I want to be like the ring finger, the ring finger always gets gold and diamond rings.” Now if we have two thumbs, will the hand be able to perform with the same efficiency as before? No. Each finger has its role defined, has its own purpose to serve.

Similarly every human being born on this earth is unique in his/her own way. Each of us here has a purpose, a definite role to play in this vast universe. There is no point in comparing ourselves to the other and feeling miserable about our lack or the other’s abundance. Just know and understand that – “I am unique in my own way, there is no other like me.” This thought enables us to give our 100 percent to what we are doing.

When we believe in ourselves, in our uniqueness, we find it easier to respect the other, because we can respect the differences, we can then live in harmony with each other. The world will be a better place because of the respect we have for all human beings rather than being caught up in  issues like man, woman, young , old, rich, poor, caste, creed, color etc etc.  After all, we are first and foremost human beings then follow the categorical differences. The need of the day is to respect every human being and their role in this world.

Notice the fist that comes together, can work wonders because of the fingers coming together. The efficiency of any team performance too depends on how well we bring our respective skill and perform to achieve results.

So friends, in personal and professional life, when competition and tolerating others get
tough, look at your hands, see how complete it is with five different fingers, all in perfect harmony with each other.

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Arpita Ghosh conducts various  training modules on communication skills, goal-setting,  developing leadership skills, Life is A Blank Canvass – Create Your Own Picture, Follow Your Heart and many others at college and corporate level.

How often we have seen many an individual start with a bang and then slowly the energy levels drop, work now becomes more of a job and not a picnic, it is more of a duty towards one’s family and company but no longer an enjoyment. There could be many factors but primarily one factor is – lack of enthusiasm. This one lack, if dealt with and taken care of, can help one realize all their dreams.
Life can be an easy cakewalk if one is enthusiastic about almost everything in life – right from the time you wake up to the time you fall asleep. If one is enthusiastic about each moment in one’s life, one lands up welcoming every single moment with open arms and not dread another moment, another meeting, another…

Moreover, enthusiasm is highly contagious. So just imagine, if you are enthusiastic about your job, your life, you meet up with a large number of people from various walks of life and pass on your contagious enthusiasm to all, wouldn’t this world be a better place for all?

In fact, enthusiasm is not just about having a positive attitude, it’s about walking the talk. In your enthusiasm you convey a passion for whatever you do, your confidence  and belief in what you do and last but not the least  the people you come in contact with respond positively too and enjoy your company.

One wonders how to sustain enthusiasm? Since the degree of one’s motivation is directly in proportion to the amount of enthusiasm, one has to keep the fire burning all the time.

Follow these simple steps to keep your enthusiasm level high all the time:

1] Wake up each morning with the decision to choose happiness.
2] Go for a long walk alone, or work out in the gym or whatever suits you.
3] Out of the 24 hours, spend just ten minutes by yourself, close your eyes and visualize your dream and where you want to be in life.
4] Make just that one call a day to an aunt or uncle or any one in the family or to friends whom you have not spoken to for a long time. Their happiness on hearing your voice will make you happy and your enthusiasm will multiply.
5] While traveling, listen to your favorite music.
6] Yesterday is history, tomorrow is unknown, this moment is where one is and it is your present, give it your best shot.
7] Make a to-do list and tick each one as it gets done, you begin to feel more enthusiastic about the next job to be done.
8] Believe in your self and know that you can achieve what your mind has already achieved.
9] There must be at least one person whom you can hug every day. Touch can work wonders.
10] Remember that what you give out, comes back to you many fold, so give out your heartfelt enthusiasm and you stand to gain so much more.

So now that one knows how to sustain enthusiasm, go ahead prepare for a great day, make that call, and  realize your dream.

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Arpita Ghosh conducts various  training modules on communication skills, goal-setting,  developing leadership skills, Life is A Blank Canvass – Create Your Own Picture, Follow Your Heart and many others at college and corporate level.