NOTHING IS BIGGER AND MORE VALUABLE THAN LIFE

 

It is better to understand and accept that you will continue to face some small or big problems in the journey of your life. Swami Vivekananda asserts that in a day, when you don’t come across any problem, you can be sure that you are travelling on the wrong path. So thought provoking. The problem may be of any kind and magnitude; can be solved easily by you or can be solved with the help of others or can disappear on its own. Yes, normally there are very few problems which you cannot solve. However, if at any point of time, a problem which seems big and very difficult to solve, just take due precaution and stay calm and alert so as to minimize the damage, if caused. 

Anyway, it is certain that if you panic and lose patience, the problem will seem bigger and the situation will aggravate. So, it is clear that no problem, however big, will be able to harm you much when you face it with wisdom and resilience.   

Due to certain factors, sometimes something may not be under your control. In such a situation it is not unusual to feel bad for a moment. But some people feel very disturbed and confused. Let us understand this through an example of a college/university student. As the examination time approaches, he starts thinking when the examination would begin; whether it would start late or on time; what would be the examination schedule or calendar; when the result would be announced and what would be my score; what would be the consequences of these actual or imaginary variables? 

Can anybody provide any specific answer to these questions? 

During my actual counselling and/or tele-counselling of students, I get the opportunity to know what has been going on in the minds of such students. Some of them are found to be confident and busy in their preparations. But many students are found to be engaged in negative thinking and wasting their precious time. Not only this, some of them become so perturbed and stressed that they even start thinking of taking some fatal and at times suicidal steps. They get impulsive and forget the basic facts of life that running away from any problem, however big and serious, is not the solution to the problem. Facing the problem head-on with all sincerity, courage, confidence and capacity is the suitable answer. You may fail or succeed. That depends on many factors. If you succeed and it happens most of the time, you should be satisfied and happy. 

If at all you fail, certainly heaven is not going to fall on your head. You may feel disappointed for a moment, but you know well that you did your best. In no case thinking of ending your life is justified, legal and ethical. After all, your life is not solely your life. Your life has been reared, nurtured and shaped by your parents, family members, teachers and many others in your society. Besides living your life well, you have to fulfil their hopes, aspirations and expectations as well.

The truth is that no situation or circumstances can be the same and similar all the time. As morning comes after night which dispels darkness and fills the world with light, so it happens in our life. This is actually the philosophy of life that after a peaceful and sound sleep at night, we wake up in the morning with lots of energy and enthusiasm. Yes, the eternal truth is that nothing is bigger and more valuable than life. 

Anyway, we are born to live and live well. Death is inevitable, but nobody knows its date and time. So, it is better to focus on how to live this precious life very actively and appropriately. Consequently, never ever act in haste or take any fatal decision. 

On the contrary, always keep in mind the following five important points and act accordingly. 1) Success and failure; ups and down; pain and pleasure are part of everybody’s life. 2) In difficult and unusual conditions, it is very beneficial to stay calm and composed. 3) Instead of comparing and competing with anybody, keep on trying to improve yourself in all possible ways. 4) Onlookers will definitely say something – good or bad, but you know well what you are  and hence continue to do better and believe in yourself and 5) Whenever you face any big problem, talk to your parents and good friends with an open mind in order to lessen your stress level and also to find a solution by virtue of collective wisdom and efforts. 

Therefore, always say a big YES to life and a bigger NO to all negativity. 

As always, I'm keen to know what you think on this subject. Hence, I request you to post your comments to share your valuable opinion.  (hellomilansinha@gmail.com)

 # Published in my Sunday Column of "Morning India" daily.                   

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