Learnings

Fact – Rule your mind, or it will rule you.

Something I self-thought during my crisis states. Below is my lame effort to make you appreciate life as it is. I remember this famous quote, “happiness is a state of mind.” You can be happy in a traffic jam or sad at a luxury hotel. Everything depends on how you want to react. You get to choose “Always.”

Like every one of you, I had aspirations to get a job, get a house, buy a car, etc., I believed that was happiness. I don’t blame anyone; this is how we got conditioned. We reside in a world that’s surrounded by things, and everyone is marketing you something or the other. They make you believe, “unless you have that, you are not complete.” The rat race begins. Ever wondered, “how much is enough?” It never ends, does it?

I sought happiness in things and people around me. The moment I lose them, I mourn over it. It takes a lifetime to understand this subtle difference “if you look for happiness outside of you, the odds are that it would be lost one day.” You can lead the usual way, or you can choose to deal with regrets, the choice is always yours.

I have no regrets whatsoever; I lived my life to the best of my ability. However, beginning of 2020, I made significant changes in the way I think, the way I speak, the way I present myself. Working for internet companies, I learned to search, read, discover, and develop. I adapted a minimalist model for life; health became a priority. I grew stronger, lost my emotions midway (I no longer cry, I am afraid I can’t fall in love.)

Finally, I discovered myself: a stronger, healthier, more disciplined individual. I am content with my own life; I no longer run behind people or things, in other words, I left the rat race. Don’t get me wrong I still have a day job, and I love my work. I started enjoying little things in life. A peaceful day and a night of good sleep are all I care about. I love myself. I gained control over my thinking and my mind. If I look back at life, I wonder if I am still the same person I used to be. Friends started calling me a monk, sannyasi, or an idiot. You can pick a word of your choice, and it won’t make any difference to me.

Those who look at me or know me, love me more than ever, I am grateful to every little thing that is around me, I no longer want to own anything, people come and go, I am ok with it. “I” became a priority. You can call me selfish, and that’s true. After all, I need to take care of myself. If you ever noticed inflight announcements, the flight attended’s say “help yourself before helping others.” (well, not exactly the same words, I guess you got my point)

I am someone who does not give a damn about anything around me. I am the only one that is important to me. My happiness is within me. I started believing in myself. It’s a different world when you learn to accept faults and let go of things. I have set myself some clear priorities & directions

I made myself so strong that I sometimes wonder if I scare myself.

You can choose to play a victim or be bold enough to let go and accept life. Your choices define you and your ability to stay happy. Don’t let someone else define it for you. Take control of your mind.

Once you control your mind, you are virtually unbeatable.