We don't get what we DESIRE, we get what we DESERVE - part 2

As promised, here is the continuation:
(by the way, don't forget to read Part 1 of this article before you read this)

So what came first, chicken or the egg? This question has been asked for centuries and no one has been able to answer it yet. Seems like either one is right, and also perhaps neither is right.

Similarly, the question is - which comes first, desire or deserve (destiny)? Common logic says - desire comes first, then comes the action, and then the desired result (and that makes our destiny). Spiritual and deeper answer though is - destiny comes first, which then creates a desire, then an action, and then the result. But the latter is not easy to accept as we humans must take credit for our actions and if we accept the latter, it takes away our ego of being the doer. Hard to believe, but true.

Let's see if we can understand this in a more day to day example. We go to see a movie. In that movie, there is an actor and an actress, and both are playing a role as directed by the director. Do the actor and actress have an independent choice to change the script or the plot of the movie? Must they not play the role that has been assigned to them without deviating? Must not the story end the way it was planned even before it ever started? And wasn't the role given to the actor and the actress based on their capabilities? The actor and actress must act the way the director wants. While their style of action may be different and unique, they must take the desired actions to bring the planned conclusion of the plot. Is this making sense?

Now let's come to our life. Who are we? Actors and actresses! Who is the director? God is (I call HIM Lord Krishna, but what name we call him by is irrelevant and never a matter to fight over. HE is one, so no disagreement there). And God has chosen us to play our part, HIS story is already written, His movie needs to end the way HE has planned it. So if we play our part for the desired outcome of HIS movie, are our actions coming first or is our destiny making us take those actions? The minute we bring this philosophical view point in our life and remember that we are mere puppets (or well trained actors and actresses in our own rights), our life starts taking a new meaning. The stress level starts reducing and we start appreciating the things a lot more. What we need to remember is that if we don't play our role well this time, within the given parameters, our role may be changed next time or perhaps completely eliminated. Retakes are allowed, so any mistakes made in the past can be forgiven as long as we don't continue to make them hoping for another chance and then another.

Next time, when you don't succeed in something, don't be tough on you. As long as you played your part the best you could, you succeeded. The end was already planned for you and you couldn't have changed it. In the same way, when you succeed at something, don't be full of ego. Be thankful for your predetermined destiny. Remember that we are simply playing our roles, and we will be replaced by someone more capable when our end has come.

Try to remember this for next 3 days, then 7, then 15, and then make it part of your life. Observe your stress level and level of internal satisfaction. You will be amazed with the results when you let this burden of being the doer, off your shoulders. It won't be easy but it is worth it. Share this with all your loved ones and make a difference in their lives too.

We don't get what we DESIRE, we get what we DESERVE - part 1

Desire is an important component in achieving anything. Our desires leads to our actions and our actions lead to our results (desired or undesired). Remember, actions are in our hands (atleast we think they are), results never are.

So the question is, why are results vastly different while actions are very similar? 100 people take same action, but don't get same or similar results. Why?

This is a matter of deep discussion and can only be answered spiritually. We also need to understand what DESERVE truly means. 'Deserve' can be best understood as destiny (a pre-determined result, even before we took an action). Infact, that pre-determined result is what will make us take that action. Now this is a different thought process, isn't it?

Let's evaluate few simple examples (& that will hold true for as many examples we choose in our life) and see if the answer becomes clear:

100 people sign up for a marathon (same action). All of them have really practised hard (same action from their perspective) for this event. One comes first, one is last. Why? A common answer, and true on surface, is - well the best came first. Is this really true though? What if you are told that the person with best odds had a sprained ankle just before starting and pulled out of the race? Let's go deeper - why did someone have better odds than others? Was it their dedication; was it their genes; was it better circumstances for them due to their environment? And if these were all true, why did the one with best odds didn't win? Didn't he/she deserve it?

Let's look at another example: 100 children are born on the same day, infact at the same time, in different parts of world. Some are born in a very rich family, some in a very poor; some are born totally healthy, some not; some are born is one religion, some in other. And their destiny is determined at their birth. Why did they get what they got? They deserved it, based on what? Oh, to complicate it further, some get results that are far different from their circumstances at birth. Why so?

One more example: Millions play lotto, one wins. Same action, different result? Why?

For next 7 to 10 days, evaluate your actions and those of others and observe the results. What do you see? Share your observations with us thru this blog.

A simple answer, and the best one can come up with, is that it is all because of our deeds including those in past lives (I know, I know, not all of us believe in past births, so those who don't may have a better explanation and I would love to hear it). Take this many steps further and we can conclude again and again and again, that we only get what we deserve, regardless of our actions.

Let's leave with a thought. How about we keep God in middle of all our deeds. How about we take better actions today and perform right deeds going forward so that the next life is more deserving? And by deserving, I just don't mean financially rich. There is much more than that in life, I am sure we all agree to that. Peace of mind, happiness, good health - money can't buy all this.

We will go deeper into this discussion in our next blog. So let's end by saying - To Be Continued....

GIVE WITHOUT EXPECTING ANYTHING IN RETURN!

When we are in the taking mode, we can't be happy. Why? Because taking can only happen when there is a void or emptiness. Can you add water to a glass that is full? No. It can't take it, it is full!
Now let's talk about giving. Wow, a totally different feeling. A feeling of fullness, knowing that we have more than someone and our giving will make a difference in their life. The satisfaction of giving and making a difference is enormous. We forget our needs when we are fulfilling other's needs. There is no end to having more. We can keep on collecting and collecting, wasting and wasting. Infact, most of the time, our financial situation today will reflect our past bad spending habits.
The world is full of those underprivileged people who don't get even a meal a day. And you watch some of those people, they will even give that meal away so that someone else can live on it. What do we really have to complain about, really?
Giving is an investment! Just like a farmer gives a seed to the earth and reaps plenty of fruit in return, so works our giving. Imagine the farmer saying, "I have only one seed, I can't sow it, what will I be left with?" The farmer has full trust in the system and so must we. We get by giving, many folds actually.
For next 30 days, start giving, even if it is small. Then watch the miracles. But don't give for recognition, try to make it anonymous. While the person receiving it may not know where it came from, God will. And HE is the one who knows how to multiply it for you at the right time.
One last thought. Give without expecting, even from God. The satisfaction and feeling of happiness that you receive will far outweigh any material returns.