Race Not

Pedro regularly goes for a morning walk. One day, an older person overtook him while walking. Pedro’s ego was challenged. Although he was tired and dehydrated, he briskly walked… eventually he broke into a run till he overtook the elderly chap.

However, he realised two pertinent lessons. He missed the turn to his home and lost time getting back. Secondly and more importantly, the senior person was not in the race and unaware that Pedro was in competition with him.

So often, so many of us run a race with a person who is oblivious about the contest. We get into rivalry without reason. We want to buy a bigger car, a bigger seat, better curtains, better cutlery… when someone acquires something new.

Even in a sports race, the main focus is on reaching the destination fastest on the track. It is definitely not in overtaking a person moving on the side-lines. We must focus on our own purpose, path and performance.

   

We must stop the unnecessary race. In the quest to run a race where there is none, we end up getting worked up and stressed out. We end up going off-track onto a road to unhappiness. We must stop being unnecessarily competitive.

For happiness, heed the following thought

Run well to your destination but race not!

~ Pravin K Sabnis

Careless

Pedro received a call that his close friend Pawan had met with a life threatening accident. Although distressed, Pedro quietly asked, ‘who told you the news?’ The caller said, ‘A friend told me…’ Pedro persisted, ‘And who informed your friend? And do let me who started the chain? Did he confirm? Did he rush there?’

The caller realised his mistake. He should have asked basic questions to confirm the veracity of the information. He told Pedro that he will find out and revert. In the meantime, Pedro called up Pawan who was livid, ‘What if my family were to hear this false information? How can friends do this?’

It eventually turned out to be a case of mistaken identity as well as a distortion of whatever was heard. The concern was being undone by the carelessness in passing on a message without confirming. It was sad that a series of worried friends were doing wrong by passing on a deadly rumour about a person they claimed to care for.

So often, so many of us forward news without checking it out. If we truly care we must confirm before forwarding. In case of unpleasant news, we must refrain from being careless. Even if it is true, we must not play a part in turning it viral. We must be bothered about the hurt and scare to the family.

It is pertinent to note that such careless forwards come from a habit... a habit of passing on information immediately as we receive it… without examining it for its truthfulness… without reflecting on the consequences of sharing it… we try to show that we care… but we end up confirming that we are careless!  

Those who frivolously forward may not truly care

Careless indeed are those who share such scare!

~ Pravin K Sabnis

Be Prepared

Robert Baden-Powell explained the Scouts motto BE PREPARED as being in a state of readiness in mind and body. He urged scouts to be prepared in more ways than one. He insisted that they should acquire various skills: camping, cooking, first-aid, self-defence, mapping, messaging and many others. They ranged from survival training to safety protocols to utility techniques to be used for different challenges.

The motto seeks to pre-empt the need before it’s time. It is about equipping and empowering the mind and body through multiple abilities and capacities that would be required in various situations. Unlike the afterthought or reactive mechanism, this preparedness comes from proactive choices.

So often, so many of us are clueless about even simple life skills. We need to ask the questions: Can I survive in tough situations? Can I find my way when lost in the woods? Can I assist others in difficulties? Can I mend things that need mending? Can I cook? Can I sew? Can I be of help to self and others?

We must learn basic skills even if there seems no instant need. You may someone else cook for you yet you must know how to cook a simple meal. You may have assistants or technology to do certain tasks yet you must know how to do them yourselves. Be prepared is about being equipped before the need arises!  

Be prepared before time… to find key ways

Be of use to self and others on trying days!

~ Pravin K Sabnis

Free of Chains

Last Saturday, I was invited to conduct a full day workshop on Cognitive Skills for the teachers of Sanjay Centre for Special Education. It was part of an extensive program over 11 days that included Sundays. It was commendable to note the willingness of the teachers to attend training during vacations. But some stood out even more so!

While one was mother to a month old baby, the other had a three month baby. Yet another was in the advanced months of pregnancy. These amazing women wore no chains. They displayed the freedom to make positive commitments as teachers wanting to learn. Cheryl Nogar’s one month baby was in her reach within the campus.

So often, so many of us complain about our chains. We glorify our burden as if we are unfortunate to bear it. We project our priorities as hurdles in our path. We complain about the fetters that come from our commitments. We cite our urgencies as an excuse to avoid other obligations.

We must learn from the attitude of Cheryl Nogar and her tribe… they are free of chains. They are not deterred by multiple commitments. They do a fine job of managing the work life balance. Most importantly, they do not complain and whine about their predicament.

We must stop treating commitments as chains. They are just roles that give us the opportunity to cope with challenges. In fact responsibilities are not really chains. They are more like the string that helps a kite to soar. We must treat challenges as an integral part of life… not as restrictive chains!

Ensure a mind free of chains

Live life full on to truly gain!

~ Pravin K Sabnis