GRABBING MONKEYS

An interesting method is employed to arrest marauding monkeys who invade homes. A box with nuts is used to lure the monkeys. However the opening at the top is just big enough for the monkey’s hand to slide in. The lured monkey grabs the nuts and forms a fist which cannot pass through the small opening. The monkey has a choice to let go of the nuts and escape. However it continues to hang on to the nuts.

The monkey gets captured because of its greediness. So often, we behave like the monkey. We grab beyond our need. We grab without bothering of the implications of choices fuelled by greed. The lure of grabbing blinds us from the consequences of such actions. We hang on to what we grab, even if it results in our freedom being compromised.

We also hold on to old things and ideas that can no longer help us to succeed. We fear the vagaries that the future may bring and so we refuse to change. We are comfortable with where we are and what we have, so we prefer to be held hostage there.

To be better at being unfettered in life we have to hold on to the choice of letting go of the unnecessary greed. Even genuine needs should be filtered across the sieve of imagining implications. Real success does not come by grabbing possessions... it is realised by securing liberation from unreasonable greed that blinds and eventually binds us in a bind!

To be truly free, do not grab more
Learn to BE BETTER at letting go!

- Pravin K. Sabnis

COMFORT ZONE

In an experiment conducted on a frog, interesting observations surfaced. When dropped into a container of hot water, it immediately jumped out. Next it was placed in a container of cold water which was being slowly heated. The bullfrog was able to adapt to the slow change in temperature and eventually got so comfortable that it stayed in the container and was “cooked”.

Surely, so often, so many of us are in the comfort zone. Our various needs and necessities are fulfilled. Like the frog, because we feel warm and comfortable, we refuse to get out of our comfort zone, and prefer to stay where we are. We fail to notice gradual changes in situation. But change is mostly invisible to those who retire to the comfort cocoon.

It is pertinent to note that in life we are either creating or disintegrating. There are no situations that exist as stationary. There will always be some movement of change. So if we are not moving ahead in life, we must by nature, be moving in the opposite direction. In fact as Pedro says, ‘The comfort zone is one of defeat or death.’

Hence we need to respond to the situation, by first recognising the subtle changes in it. And for that we have to be better at focussing on the little signs of change that are part of a greater transformation in a situation. It is about focussing on larger dreams, rather than smaller destinations; apt and prompt responsiveness, not careless complacency that surrounds us in every comfort zone.

Change is opaque to residents of the comfort zone
Response will BE BETTER if aided by a focus cone!

- Pravin K. Sabnis

INTERDEPENDENCE

Indeed independence is a very crucial developmental stage that steps ahead out of the clutches or crutches of dependence. However while growing up; independence is not the purpose of maturity. We need to connect our healthy independent individuality to relationships and networks to create a sustainable interdependence.

Mother Nature is a great inspiration as a model of interdependence. Flowers offer nectar to the bees who return the favour by pollinating the flowers. The very oxygen that keeps us alive is a gift from our plants in exchange for the carbon dioxide we gift them. The entire eco-system is a magnificent web of interdependence.

Interdependence is social, too. Natural resources, technology as well as thinking bring us to each other’s doorsteps. The entire world is just a single global village with a growing interdependence on various factors that includes viable opportunities as well as disastrous threats. And hence it becomes imperative to connect to the path and tools that can help create a more just, wise and sustainable planet.

Anything that fires or facilitates our co-creativity and our collective well-being is an empowering form of interdependence. We need to be better at learning from each other, weaving our lives in an interdependent tapestry… through open dialogues in our relationships, in our teams, in our communities… through a responsive and responsible attitude and approach… where the lighthouse is one of ‘common good’!

While independence liberates our individuality...
Interdependence leads to BE BETTER collectively!

- Pravin K. Sabnis

NEXT MOVE

It is always your next move – Napoleon Hill

Dynamic persons are always on the move. However, it is not enough to just step ahead; we need to see the steps that lie ahead. Visualising the future moves can be a very effective thing to do. We must always frame our present move by what we plan on doing next.

Like in the game of chess or checkers, each move has many implications. Depending on the possible consequences we need to equip ourselves with choices to make in every situation. But like Hill says, it is most important to make that next move. Otherwise we will lag at the crossroads of indecision or at the cul-de-sac of further progress.

For instance, if we make the move of creating a blog or a website, it is important to make the series of next moves to update and maintain our effort. So often on social networking platforms we see persons who want to connect but have failed to upload even basic details. The move to join a network will be in vain without requisite next moves.

It is pertinent to note that in communication or networking, branding or marketing, leadership or managing, human relations or public relation; we need to better at the next move. Just initiative is never enough. It needs the backing of appropriate ‘next’ moves that are part of a time-bound plan designed on the framework of consistency and commitment.

Do not rest too long before the next move
Let’s BE BETTER in the consistency groove!

- Pravin K. Sabnis

CHINESE BAMBOO

The Chinese Bamboo Tree has a very peculiar story. A few days after planting its seed in the ground, you'll see nothing. For years you'll see nothing, except a tiny shoot sprouting from a bulb. Never mind your earnest efforts, it just refuses to grow. The best of nurturing seems to be in vain. But in the fifth year, it will grow 80 feet tall!

Now imagine a scenario where the person who plants the seed calls it quits before the fifth year. It is natural for frustration to creep in when no transformation is evident for four years. The agony is in direct proportion to the intensity of effort. But surely, it would be tragic to miss out on the deserving glory of the 80 feet shoot.

So often we quit just when positive results to our proactive efforts are just round the corner. It is not enough to take initiative and follow up with sincere actions. To be better at getting a deserving consequence we must inculcate the attitude of patience and perseverance. The outcome may be delayed but it is worth the wait when the end-result more than makes up for the delay.

Let’s BE BETTER at patience in every waiting game
The script of bamboo & success remains the same!

- Pravin K. Sabnis