The Intangible, and Powerful

Transaction may be the starting point of being able to serve. But real service goes beyond the transaction to add something that cannot be measured or brought with money.What are those things you can add?

 

79/366

Simply Dig

“Writing is hard for every last one of us… Coal mining is harder. Do you think miners stand around all day talking about how hard it is to mine for coal? They do not. They simply dig.” – Cheryl Strayed

True for writing. True for mining. True for almost everything else that feels hard.

77/366

Choose your sources wisely

Algorithms are making our consumption less diverse – just like fast food companies ensure we eat same kind of stuff.

We need diversity and high-quality in what we feed to our bodies and what we feed our minds with.We don’t have to surrender to algorithmic content.

Choose your sources wisely.

76/366

Real Maturity

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.

75/366

Act, Don’t Whine

Greatness comes from acting on things that are in your circle of control or influence. 

Greatness is diminished by engaging in gossip, whining, and complaining about problems outside your span of control. 

If you really want to grow strong, act on solving the problems rather than chattering incessantly about them. 

74/366

When the dust settles..

Imagine that your results for an assessment just came out. People are calling in to check if you scored well. Teachers were anticipating you will do wonders. If you score well, people will congratulate and affirm their faith in your competence. If you score below your/their expectation, they will sympathize. 

When the dust of results settle, think about what is true measure of your learning? Do your marks truly define what you learned about the subject, about your approach and about yourself? 

The true measure of your result is the effort you put in. To be able to look into the mirror and say, “I gave it my all.” Marks and results are temporary but the habit of doing your absolute best in whatever you attempt serves you for a lifetime. 

Recognitions are short-lived. People’s opinions are fickle, so they don’t matter. Then, why should you let their expectations dictate your sense of self-worth?

The real test is being able to face yourself in the mirror and feel with absolute certainty that you did your best. 

Because the act of learning impacts us all differently. Some memorize well. Some learn by doing. Some needs other people to teach them. Some are self-learners. We all learn at different speed and rhythms. We are all unique but tests are standardized. That’s like putting an elephant and a rabbit on the same scale of measurement. 

True learning is intrinsic and beyond any standard measure. It requires you to pour all your energy, creativity and passion into your subject. It requires you to try out, experiment, act and adapt. 

And once you get into habit of doing that, nothing else will matter. Then, growth will become a happy by-product of your pursuit (and the way you do it). Opportunities will walk up to you.  

Let unwavering dedication be real medal you pursue. Let the dust settle so you can see your true worth. Let real learning that makes a true impact in the world be your glittering prize. 

Upward and onward!

73/366

We are NOT

We are NOT:

  • The degree we have
  • The money we have
  • The position of power we have
  • The fancy possessions we can flaunt

We ARE:

  • How we treat other people
  • The difference we make to the world and people around us
  • The problems we solve
  • The humanity and kindness we bring to everything we do
  • How we treat those who can do us no good
  • What we do when no one is watching us

72/366