Wandering

 

‘Wandering one gathers honey’ - motto of Youth Hostels Association of India

 The industrious bee has to travel distances to collect honey. So must we, if we wish to be enriched by the lessons that our planet holds for us. We connect with the unknown when we venture on an expedition of adventure.

 Gandhi turned Mahatma by embarking on a year-long wandering trail across India to understand his motherland better. Four years before he led the Cuban Revolution, a young Ernesto ‘Che’ Guevara and his friend covered 5,000 miles, on a rickety old motorcycle.

 These are just two lives that were transformed by the lessons picked up on the way while wandering. When we wander exploring new trails or making new discoveries on old paths; there is a new experience to be found or an earlier lesson to be built on.

 Confirmation of fruitful wandering is when wanderers carry back lessons that can be passed on to others. This makes it possible for others to venture on same or similar paths with similar attitude to explore and understand.

Wandering is not just about setting sail…
It inspires others to explore similar trails!

 - Pravin K. Sabnis

FOMO

FOMO is an acronym about ‘fear of missing out’. It refers to the feeling that others are having more fun, living better lives, or experiencing better things than you are. It involves a deep sense of envy, affects self-esteem and causes stress.

 The idea that you might be missing out on a good time is not new. However, it has only been studied during the past few decades, beginning with a 1996 research paper by marketing strategist, Dr. Dan Herman, who coined the term.

 Social media has accelerated the FOMO phenomenon. It makes us compare our regular life to the highlights of others' lives. Social media creates a platform for bragging; it is where things, events and even happiness itself seems to be in competition at times.

 To overcome FOMO we need to change focus from what we lack, try noticing what we have. It helps to take a digital detox or at least consider limiting our use of certain social media apps that make us feel as if we are missing out.

 We post on social media to keep a record of the fun things we do. However, we end up being bothered about whether people are validating our experiences online. A better option is to keep a personal journal of our best memories and shift focus from public approval to private appreciation of the things that make our life great.

 We must seek and make real connections. Rather than trying to connect more with people on social media, arrange to meet up with someone in person. Make plans with friends, organise a group outing or doing something social.

 Most importantly, we must involve in gratitude. It is harder to feel as if you lack the things you need in life when you are focused on the abundance you already have. You will begin to feel that you have what you need in life and so do other people.

 FOMO takes you down the rabbit hole of depression

Focus on what you have instead of inane comparison!

 - Pravin K. Sabnis

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LOOK INSIDE

‘Lessons are not meant to be taught, they are meant to be learnt.’

Introspection is one knowledge process that stipulates personal initiative rather than be a diagnosis for somebody else. The results are liberating in terms of widened understanding of the situation and our role-connection to it.

The word is derived from the Latin term of introspicere which literally means to look inside. It is the self-observation of our own reasoning and behaviour. It involves reflection on the impact of our thoughts and actions on others as well as ourselves.

However, it must go beyond only looking inward. ‘Looking inside’ can be a valid tool for looking forward based on aspirations. Visioning can lead to effective results in practice for goal-oriented functional challenges.

Imagine a traveller on a journey. ‘Looking inside’ would include looking at the path covered (past), the location as of now (the present) and the road ahead (the future). We must look at our original intentions, our actions and the impact of them on ourselves, our thinking and also on the situation that surrounds us.

‘Looking inside’ is a personal exercise as well as a personal initiative. It involves taking ownership as well as responsibility of what we are and where we find ourselves. Rather than look at what others ought to do, we must look inside!

It is easy to tell others to learn the lesson…
Look inside to involve in true introspection!

- Pravin K. Sabnis