Growth Is The Only Evidence Of Life
   Date :19-Jul-2020

Growth _1  H x
 
 
 
By T G L IYER :
 
 
I saw once a board on the table of my colleague: “At the end of our lives we don’t regret the things at which we failed but regret the things we wished but never attempted”. The four principles to be followed in life are a clear goal, a definite plan, confidence and no fear of failure. The goal is more important because without it we are lost. But, equally vital is banishing the fear of failure. If we can develop a no-fear mentality we will be able to begin our journey and proceed ahead to reach the target. American Historian James Translow Adams (1878-1949) wrote: “Perhaps, it would be a good idea to muffle every telephone, stop every motor, and halt activity for an hour some day to give people to ponder for a few minutes on what it is all about, why we are living and what we really want”. Defining a clear goal helps to create a clear visual image in our subconscious mind. Once we know the where, the when and why, we will find the how also! Calvin Coolidge, American President during the mid 1920s was more remembered for the following few wonderful words than for anything he ever did in office.
 
“Press on. Nothing can take the place of persistence, talent will not, the World is full of unsuccessful people with talent, Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education alone will not as the World is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent” So, let us agree to persist on our journey; let us agree to persevere along the route towards our own personal success, whatever they may be.
 
That helps to build a small habit and leave behind those imagined and self-improved obstacles behind. Maxwell Maltz wrote: “Within you right now is the power to do things you never dreamed possible. This power becomes available to you just as soon as you can change your beliefs”. Retired people act differently and why? It is because of their belief and conviction that the body and faculties are breaking down. Another believes that one can add something more to expand. Hilda Cross has become the oldest woman to climb Mount Fugi. It is not the events, it is not the environment but the meaning we attach to them that make us what we are.
 
Some become Heroes; others lead dead lives! By struggling alone you will be seen. Don’t stand quiet there in the background in the back row. Move to the front and shout that you can. If you use your skill and potential, you can judge and it will be mostly correct. Don’t be afraid to talk. Don’t panic addressing the audience. Don’t bother whether a piece is published or not; go on writing; go on creating. You already possess in great abundance many of the things other people desperately want and need. By giving you shall receive!
 
The highest reward you can offer is to motivate them and provide them opportunities to maximize their full potential. Ernest Hemingway was working to perfect his craft. He lost a suitcase containing all his manuscripts of many stories he had laboriously polished to jewel like perfection which he was planning to publish as a book. The devastated Hemingway could not conceive of redoing his work. He was convinced that all his hard work had come to zero.
 
When he lamented his loss to Poet Erza Pound she called it a stroke of luck. Pond assured Hemingway that when he re-writes the stories he would forget the weak parts only and only the best would reappear. Instead of calling the incident a disappointment, it is a God-given opportunity. Hemingway did re-write the stories and the rest is History! Happiness is difficult to define. It is a very personal thing. We tend to forget that happiness does not come as a result of getting something we don’t have. It is recognizing what we do have. Don Marques put it in another way. He said that Happiness is the interval between periods of unhappiness! People who feel good about themselves are not easily threatened by the future. They enthusiastically maintain a secure image whether or not everything is falling apart or going their way.
 
To do good things in life, first you must know who you are and what gives meaning to your life! Dictionary defines Integrity in terms of soundness of moral character, adherence to critical principles and being not shaken by adverse circumstances. The blue chip stocks are Honesty fairness, loyalty, courtesy, co-operation, compassion, generosity and kindness. Remember, that Elephants don’t bite but fleas do! It is not what we do that matters but how we do it to bring the best results. And when the results are positive, everything becomes positive and perfect!