Wednesday, May 27, 2015

Thought for the Day - Can You Handle It If You Got All That You Want?

Our main cause of discontent (and unhappiness by extension) is this one statement - why do we  not get all that we want. He has that, she has this, I want all that too but I don't get it. Hence, I will be discontented and unhappy. Life is unfair, why me etc etc.
My observation - we normally don't get what we cannot handle. Look at it this way - whatever you are asking for and not getting - make a list. Then visualise. What you would do if you got all that NOW. Honestly, can you handle it? My theory is that we get exactly what we can handle now (enough reason to be grateful for that itself).

But does that mean I am stuck here? How do I got to the next level? How do I aspire for better?

Fist by accepting that what you have now is exactly what you can handle. Any resentment will set you back a few steps and send you in a downward spiral so get a grip on yourself and first secure this place. Be grateful for what is, for having what you can handle.

Next, start 'being' whatever it is that you 'want' to be. Happy is a choice, free is a choice, success is a choice, wealth is a choice.

Let me illustrate how two friends of mine did this. They were normal middle class guys like the rest of us but with big dreams of wanting to be rich. (We all had too but they were more focussed and honest about it.) So they figured out what rich means to them. Let's say we all normally ate in restaurants like Kamath those days. They figured that wealthy is when they hang out in five star hotels. They would go and spend whatever money they had and drink coffee in five star hotels and come back. Just being there, just expanding their minds enough that yes, we can 'be' that too. Of course they are well off now. ('Being' wealthy does not mean maxing out credit cards - it can be done sensibly by growing that consciousness). Similarly happiness and success and all else have their specific symbols to you. Find them and grow them to the extent that you are ready for. You will find its a natural process.

Like Jack Nicholson says - you cannot handle the truth - we cannot handle things we are not prepared for. Two ways to approach this. First method is the easy way for the trust guys -, accept things as they come and  do not label and fix, that's a great way to let things flow. Second method is the harder way for the process guys - grow your consciousness and start 'being' so you can handle it bit by bit.

Take your pick.

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