When

An earnest student approached a Zen master, ‘If I work very hard with diligence how long will it take to learn Zen.’ The Master replied, ‘Ten years.’ The student then said, ‘if I work very, very hard and really apply myself to learn fast, how long then?’ Replied the Master, ‘twenty years.’ ‘But, if I really, really work at it. How long then?" the student persisted. ‘Thirty years,’ replied the Master.

‘I do not understand,’ said the disappointed student. ‘Each time that I say I will work harder, you say it will take me longer. Why?’ The Master replied, ‘when you have one eye on the goal, you only have one eye on the path.’

So often, when we seek to learn something, we keep worrying about ‘when’ we would ‘reach’ the destination, instead of focusing on the purpose of the trip. The approach to learning needs an attitude of patience. Time, it is said, seems to fly slower to the one whose main occupation is to watch its flight.

More importantly, when we are obsessed with the length of the road we tend to let go of the exciting experiences during the journey of learning. We subject ourselves to an additional load on our mind which results in the creation of unnecessary stress that further clouds our visibility on the learning curve. It is prudent to ponder on ‘how’ rather than on ‘when’.

Do not fret for ‘when’ of end of road

‘unite to impact’ learning sans load!

- Pravin K. Sabnis

Goa, India.

Prevention

A door-to-door vacuum cleaner salesman pushed his way into a woman’s home. ‘This machine is the best ever’ he insisted, whilst pouring a bag of dirt on the carpet, ‘If this machine doesn’t remove all the dirt completely, I’ll personally eat the remainder.’ The lady stepped back and said, ‘Well I hope you've got a good appetite, because they cut off my electricity this morning.’

This old joke was shared by yours truly to student volunteers who had joined the initiative by ‘One World’ to clean up a small portion of the beach in a small but significant way. The point being pointed was the folly of dirtying up our world believing in the guaranteed capacity to clean up later. It was about restating the old saying, ‘prevention is better than cure’.

Indeed, while cleaning up the trash is commendable, it would be better to prevent trash from piling up. In fact, responsible and responsive life habits can ensure that we prevent garbage creation by being prudent in our use of resources and whatever is unavoidable is segregated at source to prevent unnecessary complications.

In other spheres of life too, prevention of the compounding of the problem can guarantee that we are not dependent on discovering solutions. We must envision the impact of every little act and unite our resolve to impact the result by choosing to prevent the dumping of dirt, in the arrogant belief that we can clean up later. For the connection may well go dead.

‘unite to impact’ little acts to thwart the dirt elevation...
The pile is less daunting when we choose prevention!

- Pravin K. Sabnis
Goa, India.

Still Another Mile

And my destination makes it worth the while

Pushing through the darkness, still another mile’
- from the song ‘I have a dream’ by ABBA

Sometimes, trekking rookies despair about the distance of the destination. The old hands use two ways to motivate the tenderfoot… First, the dejected are reminded about the worth of the endeavour, by describing the charms of the destination. Next is the time tested motivation, ‘we are almost there’

In fact, the veteran’s auto suggestion will be - ‘still another mile’… not just to cover the distance; but to go beyond the distance. The difference between ‘just one mile to go’ and ‘still another mile’ is exactly the distinction between a smaller, immediate goal and the larger destination of our dream…

In the real world, an important principle of success in all walks of life, in all professions and all undertakings is the compliance of ‘going the extra mile’. Search as much as you will for a single sound argument against this principle and you will not find it, nor will you find a single instance of enduring success.

We must ask ourselves: Do I do more than what I am expected to do? Do I render a better service than that for what I am paid? Do I walk the extra mile to my larger destination of my bigger dream?

While it is good to honour commitments, expectations or targets; it is greater to move beyond the limits we have set ourselves. For it is these very extra miles, that will unite to impact our performance with our true potential.

Extra efforts ‘unite to impact’ to make it worth the while...

Not just the distance, walk beyond… ‘still another mile’!

                              

- Pravin K. Sabnis

Goa, India.

INVITING ROADS

If a student, recollect the first days in college. If a teacher, rewind to the early days of the new career. If working, recall the memories of fresh employment. If in business, envision the start-up to entrepreneurship. If in an organisation, reconnect with the immediate emotions when you were inducted. If in a relationship, remember when it all began!

Early days on every path are ones of happiness and hope. The happiness is born of the recognition that the opportunity is a true privilege. The hope arises of the vision of walking the path to the dreams that beckon. We are seized by the emotion of excitement because we look forward to the new challenges, fresh experiences and varied team members we will bond with.

However, more often than not, for the most of us, when we come back to the present moment, we find that excitement missing. The reason is obvious. The road seems less inviting because we have lost sight of the original invitation that the road offered us. Tediousness has set in by the mechanical approach to plod the path but lose sight of the real invitation.

In the early days, the invite was clear in all its multiple hues: the attitude of gratitude... the sensing of opportunity... the desire to acquire fresh knowledge and skills... the passion to measure up to challenges... the resolve to better the previous best... the willingness to team up with fellow travellers. The diverse dimensions of the inviting road would unite to impact our approach.

To reclaim the same excitement, we need to see that same invite, again! Then, the same emotions will revisit bringing along the original hope and happiness... the earlier resolve and willingness... the similar passion and vision... the past positives influencing the present to progress on the path to see delight in every challenge, every load!

Reclaim the earlier dimensions of the inviting road...

‘Unite to impact’ them to see delight in every load!

                              

- Pravin K. Sabnis

Goa, India.

Together Apart

And stand together, yet not too near together:

For the pillars of the temple stand apart

– from the prophet by Khalil Gibran

The pillars stand apart but still they support the same roof. There is space, distinctiveness, and yet there is a union and combination because they are supporting the same roof. It is pertinent to note that two pillars standing apart can carry a longer beam than if they were placed touching each other.

The feet run faster when they are not tied to each other. Two hands clap better when they move apart to come together and create the momentum for the sound of applause. Two persons find it easier to carry a big box if they hold on to separate ends. Large platforms stand on props that stand apart

It is the same for human relationships. Space is needed for each to increase the capacity of the partnership. It is necessary that one is not under the other’s shadow. Otherwise, the relationship will be restrictive in allowing each to grow and glow. Bonds turn sustainable by ensuring the required space that will nurture true togetherness.

We must understand that togetherness flourishes when partners stand together, but not too near together. They unite to impact not by their proximity, but by the resolve to permit the spaces in their togetherness. After all, the maximum possible potential of any relationship lies in the fulfilling of the potential of each partner.

It is not proximity that defines closeness...

Spaces ‘unite to impact’ togetherness!

                              

- Pravin K. Sabnis

Goa, India.

Pile-up

I like work: it fascinates me. I can sit and look at it for hours. I love to keep it by me: the idea of getting rid of it nearly breaks my heart.

– from ‘Three Men in a Boat by Jerome K Jerome

So often, so many of us keep staring at the ever increasing pile of things that keeps building up as we allow it too. It seems to be wedded to the place where it rests. Eventually the pile-up rises to such proportions that we seem helpless in having any control over it.

Proactive persons never permit a pile-up. They keep doing things on time, thus ensuring that many small things don’t end up contributing to a big heap of many little things that have been ignored for remedial action. It is prudent to ensure that the pile-up never happens by ensuring continuous actions to tackle even the most insignificant task.

For instance, ones who clear their desk, of tasks as well as clutter, will seldom be facing a pile-up that seems menacing. Those who regular monitor the maintenance of their vehicle will seldom have to deal with major repairs. Those who keep involving in regular actions, to tackle tasks as they spring up, will eventually see them unite to impact the defeat of the pile-up, even before it has begun.

We must take on every tiny task on timely nick...

to ‘unite to impact’ the rout of the pile-up peak!

                              

- Pravin K. Sabnis

Goa, India.

Bell the Cat

In a very famous fable by Aesop, the mice gather to come up with moves to outwit their predator - the cat. Someone makes a wise suggestion, 'Let's tie a bell to the cat so that we will be forewarned of its proximity and we can flee to safety.' Everyone applauded the innovative proposal. But an old mouse interjected, 'who will bell the cat?' Everyone looked at one another and nobody spoke.

So often, so many of us can so easily propose simple solutions to the problems facing us or others. Nevertheless, the most creative solution is useless unless it can be used. Brainstorming that does not lead to norming that ensures performing is just a thinking exercise. It is pertinent that the possibilities, of implementation of the idea, should be explored before it is seen as viable.

Each imaginative solution should be further developed to identify who, how, where and when will implement what has been imagined. The idea though crucial needs to move beyond being a plan to becoming a clear, focussed plan of action with clearly defined roles for everyone including the proposer.

Since we stray from taking ownership for the actions, we end up making sterile suggestions. It is easy to suggest the cooking of a exotic dish, but it is important to suggest only that for which we ourselves can procure ingredients. It is easy to say 'bell the cat' without seeing whether we ourselves can do it. If we can, obviously others can too.  

Not just the idea, imagine self-implementation

to ensure we ‘unite to impact’ a true solution!

                              

- Pravin K. Sabnis

Goa, India