In Retrospection…..

Written by Rekha Murali

Another year has come to a close, bringing with it another opportunity to start afresh, to introspect with the possibility of improving what is and what will be! However, this need not happen just once every year but could be an ongoing process! The self introspection requires turning within, enhancing and enriching one’s life and of those around.

Each of us have our dreams to live, aspirations to follow, goals to be achieved. But what are we doing towards that? Is it enough just thinking about it? What is the action plan?

Fulfilling every goal, every dream requires planning followed by taking the first step towards implementing the plan with focus. Hurdles and distractions always appear only to be crossed. A problem remains one till a solution is reached. This problem and solution brings along with it people from various walks of life and situations to help or deter us in our goal. Being accommodative, understanding, tolerant, patient, thinking & analysing, communicating, are some of the virtues that can be developed along the way while tackling problems. If success could be achieved without hurdles, any one would be able to achieve that without effort!

A problem thus becomes a learning as long as there is a quest for a solution. What happens when one focuses only on the problem? Besides hurting one’s own self, there are also the negative vibrations created in all our relationships extending from our family to our work place. This negativity is like a seed that sprouts and spreads negativity encompassing every one that comes within its sphere.

But a seeker who looks for an answer to his problems becomes introspective, questioning leading to a lot of soul searching and self- enquiry. This soul searching would further enhance the individual’s strength. This can be compared to the testing of a captain’s strength in rough seas or the strength of a pilot during a cyclonic storm.

Strength brings along with it control of the mind. What is control of the mind? In simple words, control of thoughts or silencing/quieting the mind. A silent mind devoid of the chattering brings you close to your true self, the innermost self that is free and watchful and eternal.

Hence is it so difficult to dip within and look for the nectar or the jewel that is embedded in each of us? Doesn’t it make our life more interesting? Wouldn’t it help achieve the biggest of our life’s purpose?