You’ve really come a long way along the road to maturity if your mind today is not troubled by events of the past or fear of an uncertain future.

It may not be 100% possible, but the aspiration of achieving equanimity is a worthy one to pursue.

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This has to be one of the best definitions of success I have come across.

“To laugh often and much: To win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children, to earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends; to appreciate beauty, to find the best in others, to leave the world a bit better whether by a healthy child, a garden patch, or a redeemed social condition; to know even one life has breathed easier because you lived. This is to have succeeded.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson

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There is no fun in life and work if a clear future is charted for you with certainty. The joy is in finding your own unique path. 

Joseph Campbell rightly said, “If the path before you is clear, you’re probably on someone else’s.”

But how do you carve your own path? By trying out stuff. By taking diversions. Investing in areas where your skills overlap. Making mistakes. Failing fast and often. Adapting and learning from it. It’s only when you try many things that you find a few that are worthwhile.

Tom Peters, who I had the privilege of speaking with once, said: Whoever tries the most stuff wins. 

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“I used to think the worst thing in life was to end up all alone. It’s not. The worst thing in life is to end up with people who make you feel all alone.” – Robin Williams

Be careful about who you choose to spend your time with!

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Don’t waste your words explaining things to someone who is:

a) Not capable of understanding 

b) Not willing to understand

That is a waste of your energy. If someone is not capable of understanding your point of view, you can still explain, teach, clarify and educate. 

But if someone is not willing to understand, that is a problem of intention.

Save yourself by not explaining.

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“I have to study” seems like a complain. It speaks of a compulsion.

“I get to study” seems like gratitude. That you get to study in a world where so many kids don’t have the privilege of going to a school. 

Replace “I have to…” with “I get to…” and your mindset about your work, family, health, relationships, money, experiences etc. will change. 

When you change your language, it shifts your perspective for better. 

With change in perspective, we think, do and feel different. 

It’s magical. 

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Here’s a profound quote that highlights the importance of listening with an open mind. 

“To listen is to lean in, softly, with a willingness to be changed by what we hear.” – Mark Nepo

Like a windshield, our preconceived notions, beliefs and judgments can block the essence of what other person is trying to say.

When we listen with a closed mind, we absorb only what we think we should know

When we listen with an open mind, we absorb the essence of what other person is saying.

Next time you are in a conversation, listen intentionally. Listening is an art that builds our connection with others.  

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This is a timeless wisdom on how to handle situations involving anger in relationships. 

A rule that I have personally followed for so many year (and it has helped me immensely at work and in life) is this: “There can be only one person in the angry boat.”

Anger as a response to anger escalates conflict. Calm in the face of anger is a step forward in resolving it. 

Mahatma Gandhi got it right: “An eye for an eye makes the whole world blind.”

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I can tell this from my experience:

What you become eventually is a result books you read, stories you consume and people you meet. 

That’s because all of the above helps you broaden your awareness. 

Awareness helps us choose better.

Choices we make, end up making us. 

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