Rush Not

Today’s fast paced world creates many casualties, but surely the most prominent would be the willingness to wait. There are many prospects to practise patience in life: while downloading from the internet, while we wait for our colleague to finish speaking, while we wait for things to happen.

Most of us treat these moments as a hassle, a bother, a time to live through while we wait for something more interesting. We regret waiting; we wish computers were faster. We have this anxious attitude of being in a constant rush. Our quality of life suffers as a result. We do not enjoy life to its fullest.

A good example is when walking. There are two speeds at which we walk. The first is a purposeful stride, designed to get one to the destination as quickly as possible. The second is more of a casual stroll, with an opportunity to thoroughly enjoy the journey. Although it is slower, this speed can turn more efficient as one can cherish every minute to the fullest.

We must have this attitude with all of life. The fastest and impatient way is not always the most efficient. It is worth relaxing and slowing down if life gets more enjoyable as a result. Of course, it is possible to be in a rush and still feel relaxed, but this takes practice. But, it is only possible to do if there is a real reason for our rush, rather than just a broad sense of being highly-strung.

The paradox of the modern age is that it is easier to be efficient, and yet we are more stressed and rushed than ever before. The problem lies in our attitudes. We are so focused on getting things done that we have forgotten how to enjoy what we are doing. We must be better at forgetting the mad rush and letting things happen at their own pace.

Rush not... as if running a short race

Let’s BE BETTER at slowing the pace!

- Pravin K. Sabnis

Goa, India

Queue

Last Thursday, we visited the Shantadurga Temple at Kavlem for the Zatra – the annual feast. There was a long queue and as is oft seen, many were jumping the line. While some used the rear entrance to do so, others would shamelessly slither ahead, ignoring protests of those standing in the queue.

Their modus operandi was simple: just push on and if confronted, act defiant. A doctor, who was asked to toe the line, lied to say he was not really going in. We saw him lead a group of ten people to the main door of the inner sanctum. The people in the queue were aghast, ‘his devotion is false... he uttered lies in the temple?’ ‘What example, is he setting for his children?’ ‘wither education?’

It is pertinent to note that not just in the temples, churches and mosques; such persons show their selfish streak in every situation. Two facts get confirmed. First, that they really do not care for what they say they believe in. Secondly, they indulge in irresponsible behaviour as they see themselves as above basic humane norms.

Interestingly, all those who seemed in a hurry, that day, were found loitering in the temple premises for a long time. Obviously they had the time but they did not have the patience to wait for their rightful turn. Jumping the queue was a reflection of their egocentricity and their insensitivity to others.

The queue is occasion to confirm our ability to endure waiting for our turn. We need to be better at ensuring that our self-centred actions do not trample on the rights of others in the queue. Most importantly, we need to foresee the chaos if everyone were to break the queue. The common good has to be the defining criterion that guides our conscientious actions in every situation.

Let’s BE BETTER at conscientious patience when in queue

Fairness is when none is short-changed by a selfish few!

- Pravin K. Sabnis

Goa, India.

Measure of Love

She worked sincerely for many years for her organisation, but never got the expected raise in salary. Her husband encouraged her to speak to her boss and demand the well-deserved raise. Though she was apprehensive, she gathered her guts to approach her employer. To her pleasant surprise, the boss immediately agreed to enhance her salary.

She arrived home to a meal prepared by her husband who had come home early. He had hand-crafted a card that read: ‘I knew you would get the raise you deserved! This treat is to tell you how much I love you.’ After dinner, as her husband went into the kitchen to clean up, she noticed another card fall from his pocket. She noticed another set of words: ‘Don't be sad about not getting the raise you deserved! This treat is to tell you how much I love you."

The man demonstrates total acceptance and love for his spouse, whether she succeeds or fails. His love celebrates her triumphs and seeks to sooth her wounds. He stands steadfastly with her, no matter what vagaries life throws in their direction. His response is constantly aligned to unconditional love.

If you truly care for someone, you don't look for blemishes. You accept faults and overlook excuses. You accept that at some points they will falter and fail. Most importantly, you accept that love cannot be slave to the situation. Love cannot wax and wane due to changing times.

St. Francois de Sales said it so famously that ‘the measure of love is to love without measure.’ So often, our actions may not be in sync with our original emotion of altruistic love. It is not enough to love... we need to be better at steadfastness in sentiment and resoluteness in response... we need to be better at loving without measure!

Let’s BE BETTER at truly loving without measure

Resoluteness in response ensures real treasure!

- Pravin K. Sabnis

Goa, India.

Power of 1

One person refused to sit on the back of the bus

She changed the right for all of us
Ohhhh that's the power of one....

-        By Bomshel (from the soundtrack of Evan Almighty)

On December 1, 1955, Rose Parks was seating on a bus-seat secluded for blacks. However, the driver demanded that she relinquish her seat to a white passenger. Parks refused and her subsequent arrest and trial for this act of civil disobedience triggered the Montgomery Bus Boycott, one of the largest and most successful mass movements against racial segregation in history.

The movement launched Martin Luther King, Jr., one of the organizers of the boycott, to the forefront of the civil rights movement. Rosa Parks’ role in American history earned her an iconic status and her actions have left an enduring legacy for civil rights movements around the world.

Too often, we insist that an individual cannot make a difference. But, Parks and many others have shown the power of one. It is power that comes from individual initiative. It is about walking the path without waiting for the comfort of company. It is about having the courage to stand up for one’s beliefs and values.

In a world where individuals seek support even before speaking up, we must be better at embracing the power of one. We must be proactive in dealing with every challenge. Without waiting for support, we must do what we know is the right thing to do. We must claim ownership of our own predicaments and respond resolutely and positively to every negative situation.

Do not wait for others to do what you want done...

Let’s BE BETTER at empowering our power of one!

- Pravin K. Sabnis

Goa, India.