For It To Be, It's Up To Me

Peace amid Chaos!

2011-10-20T13:20:00.001-07:00

Recently, I was in RENO, NV speaking to a very successful group of Realtors from all over the country, put together by REMG (Real Estate Masters Guild). My topic was, "Peace amid Chaos"!

Wouldn't you agree that there is too much chaos today? Job pressure, declining stock market and home values, news & events around the world, traffic issues, lost deals, health challenges, etc etc etc - we struggle with many issues daily. And the fact is that we can't change any of them, except ONE! And what is that ONE change? Change 'OURSELVES' and all changes. Look at the situation differently and it all changes. Otherwise, lack of peace is a normal thing today. No wonder anti-depressants sell like hot cakes. We pay so much attention to outside (to things we can't control), we forget going inside (where the real world for us starts).

Here is a 'Dirty dozen', no no let's call it 'Valuable Dozen', that must be remembered all the time. If we can follow these, peace becomes a more natural thing in our lives! Till then, our outside world takes over.

Do you know what is that one thing that takes away our peace? Write it down and then analyse it. You will see that it was due to a WANT that is or was not fulfilled. Our never ending WANTS are a major reason for our problems. We want this, we want that. And the minute we get it, we want more. We want bigger, we want more recent model, our wants simply grow, leading to dissatisfaction. Reduce these wants and all changes. The following tips help us do just that.

Tip 1. Be in gratitude mode. Thank God for everything at all times, for what we have and for what we don't. HE knows what's best for us, accept that 1000%.
Tip 2. Take care of your health. Bad health doesn't let us focus on the right things. Eat right, meditate, exercise.
Tip 3. Be detached from results. Take action but leave the results to GOD! Remember, HE knows what is right for us even though it may not appear that way at times. Just like a mom who gives the child a bad tasting medicine but only does it for the welfare of the child. The child cries, the child complains, the child thinks that mom doesn't care. Does the mom know what is best for the child, does the mom really care? You bet!
Tip 4. Be happy with the success of others. It's amazing how many people are less upset with their failure and more upset with success of others. They can't wait for them to fail. This is seen even in friends. Be happy with everyone's success!
Tip 5. Spend below your means. Save for rainy days. Don't buy things you don't need.
Tip 6. Live in the present moment. We are either unhappy about what happened in the past or worried about what will happen in the future. Live the 'TODAY' well!
Tip 7. Keep the right company. Say NO when the actions go against your principles, regardless of the potential benefits. A drink just to give the company is wrong, avoid it!
Tip 8. Live your life with honesty and integrity. You will never have to remember what you said when you are honest at all times.
Tip 9. Don't hurt anyone. Help others grow. What goes around, comes around. But do it without expecting anything in return.
Tip 10. Give and you shall receive. Again, give without intentions of getting back. It will come automatically.
Tip 11. Know that we are mere actors in a movie, this movie called THE WORLD. Our role was decided by the Creator before he chose us to play it. Play it well but know that the role is already decided.
Tip 12. Read Tip #1. Remember tip #1. Put in action tip #1. Never forget tip #1.

And now the final tip. You say, "wait, 12 tips are already over, what do I mean by the final tip?" Yes, there is one more. And the final tip, tip # 13 is - ALWAYS GIVE MORE THAN YOU PROMISE. I promised 12, but if I stop there, I lose. Over promise and under deliver is cheating. Under promise and over deliver is good but it started low to begin with. Over promise and then over deliver is the way to live life.

As you can see, these are few liners to avoid long blog. I will be happy to share more with you in detail, just write back. Better yet, arrange a seminar for a group for about 3 hours, and even better yet, a full day or two so that we can make sure that these just don't become words, we make them a practice in our daily life.

Oh by the way, I need to admit something here. Please know that these are fantastic tips and can change our life. But know that I am equally struggling, as you are, to implement these at all times. Please don't beleive for one moment that if I gave these tips to you, I follow them at all times. I am as human as you are, and I make my mistakes too. I forget these tips at times too. I am far from perfect myself. These help me but I mess up too. Don't be too hard on yourself if you don't follow these at all times. If we can implement them most of the time, we will be way ahead of the game. Being aware is the first step, implementing them often is the next, and working towards making these and more become part of us at all times is the real desire and a true test.

So that is my desirable dozen, or 13, whatever you want to call it. Put them in your life daily and the peace will become automatic. And I am not talking about outside pretend happy peace. I am talking of peace within. Follow these (& there are few more, some are in my book, some not) and the anti depressants won't be necessary in most cases. Ofcourse, at times it may be too late if these are not put in place at the right time. These tips are to stop depression, not a substitute for anti-depressant when the depression has already kicked in.

Know of any groups that can benefit from a half day or a full day seminar or perhaps a two day workshop, an action filled event that leads to results, not just an applause? I am there to help and it will come with 100% money back guarantee! If it is for non-profit that helps our kids, there is no cost at all for the seminar. It would be my pleasure to make a difference in the lives of our future generation!

God bless. Dream Big & May All Your Worthy Dreams Come TRUE!

Sanjeev Aneja
www.sanjeevaneja.com
email: sanjeev@ontrackrealty.com
Author - For It To Be, It's Upto Me. Books are available in bulk for holiday gift giving. Why give gifts that don't matter, gifts that end up in storage or garbage before we know it? Give these books and be the reason for a change in someone's life. The recipients can use them as workbooks, write on them, apply the suggestions and if the lessons within the book don't help, just send the book back and get your MONEY BACK. It's as simple as that. Order your books today. The good part is, all proceeds go to help feed and educate the needy children, so it's a WIN WIN for all!

Ahh, Destiny!

2011-06-20T12:03:00.000-07:00

Destiny & destination are the same thing. Understand it, and we will realize that our destiny drives our actions. If it is not meant for us, the actions will support that. If it is meant for us, the actions will support that too!
Let's talk about destination first. The plane has to reach Los Angeles. No action can be taken unless that part is decided, agreed? And the pilot makes all adjustments on his way as needed to get there. The destination controls the action. I have never ever heard of a pilot who starts flying a plane in hopes of reaching LA. It is destination first. If we said action creates destination, people would laugh, right?
Now let's talk about destiny! We say our actions make our destiny. Yet this is far from true, it only appears that way. Just as water seems to be there on the desert but get closer and there is none. Appearance makes it look so, that's all.
Our destiny is decided even before we are born. Someone is born at a billionaire's home, someone at a poor person's home who can't even feed the child. Action or destiny? What action could have this child taken to be born rich? None!
Dying from lung cancer is destined. A person smokes and smokes and when you tell them it is not good for them, they argue and continue to smoke. We say the action caused cancer. How about the inaction (not quitting smoking) caused cancer?
10 people apply for the job, all are equally qualified, one gets it. Why? All took action, what happened? The one who took the job was sent to Europe for a job assignment. The plane crashes, he dies. Was it the destiny that got him the job? Was it the destiny of any one of 9 others that saved them their life because of no job in that company? You bet destiny played the main role!
Many of our actions lead to disasters later, and that includes technology today. We are so afraid of hackers shutting down the power grid, hackers killing masses by stealing passwords of nuclear system. So why not stop use of technology? We laugh at that thought. Destiny ruling!
The examples of destiny are in abundance, all we have to do it sit back and realize this BIG fact. Once we do, all else becomes simple, life becomes stress free. But our EGO comes in our way! If our actions controlled our destiny, every candidate running for President's office should be the President, right? Yet someone from nowhere comes and wins and the sure shot expected winner loses. Why? Why? Why?
The biggest question of all then is, "Should we stop taking actions"? The biggest answer is, "your destiny won't let you stop".
It's not our actions that create our destiny, it's our destiny that creates our actions! I know this is a topic that is full of debate and disagreements. It's like chicken or egg first question with no answer. And this article is not something that will change anyone's viewpoint. It is simply there as another way of thinking. Right, wrong, indifferent, you conclude as you wish!

Sanjeev Aneja, CRS
sanjeev@ontrackrealty.com
www.sanjeevaneja.com

Less vs Loss

2011-02-15T14:01:00.000-08:00

Change a vowel and everything changes in a word. Less & Loss, only one letter changes but it changes the whole meaning.

Appetite becomes less, it's OK. One can survive on less food. Appetite is lost, one can die of hunger!

'Less' one can cope with, 'Loss' almost always results in huge stress for most people. Unless ofcourse one thing happens - and that is - it is put in perspective.

Let's see if this example drives home the point.
You go to Atlantic City (not promoting gambling, simply an example) and bet $10. Right number, and it becomes $100. You love it. You bet all $100, and it becomes $1,000. You are loving it and decide to go for it all again. And guess what, you hit it again and this becomes $100,000 now. You know you are unstoppable. And the greed has set in too. You bet it all, one last time. Oh no, it's down to $0, BIG FAT ZERO!

How much money have you lost? Most would say, $100,000. And they will be upset for a long time about it. Why? Because they LOST it, the LOSS was BIG! But some would say that it is OK. They have $10 less now, that's all. How big is the loss to them? $10? No big deal.

While many of us are very smart to get this and many of us will only call it $10 less in this example, that is not how we deal with it in the real life. And that is why the stress takes over.

Check right now to figure out why you are stressed and you will see that it is over some PERCEIVED loss (even though you are much better off than before). Use this Atlantic City example often for every LOSS and the stress will be gone every time.

You lose a sale. Call it one sale less
You lose your job. You didn't have it before. And you can get another with LESSER money anyhow.
You lose some salespeople in you office. You still have more than you started with.
You lose money in stock market. OK, OK, you got the point.
This applies to every scenario and you have a choice - is it LESS or LOSS?

Making sense? See it as a loss, and the stress will result into a disease. See it as less, and while the circumstances won't change, the outlook will and so will the results.

The change starts with self. So this story/lesson must be remembered by me too all the time :)).

The Best Painter!

2010-07-30T12:25:00.000-07:00

Does anyone know who the best painter in the world is? Someone, whose paintings people copy (or try to and can't even come anywhere close) and sell them for millions, at times?

I am reminded of a short story I heard. This renowned painter was asked by the king to make a painting of the sunrise. To put as many details he could in it to make it look and feel real. The painter agreed. The king called him 3 months later and asked if the painting was ready. The painter replied "NO" and asked for 3 more months and 3 more. One year went by and the painter called the king to show him the painting. He asked the king to arrive at 4.30AM in his office next morning. The king wondered why that early, but wanted the painting so he agreed.

The king arrived sharply at 4.30 and the painter asked the king to accompany him. They walked for about 30 minutes or so. The darkness was slowly changing to light. Soon, the rays of rising sun could be seen and there, the red rising sun could be seen too. The painter looked at the king and said, "Sir, I have tried to paint the rising sun for one full year. I did my best but couldn't even come close to the real beauty it has to offer on its own. I couldn't compete with God's creation at all. I admit, I am not the best painter, HE is".

What a smart painter! He hit is right on the nail. We human beings take too much credit for our small actions and give little credit to God for HIS daily actions, without which, we would be nowhere. Infact, some of us don't even want to recognize HIM, forget giving HIM the credit.

Imagine for a moment:
No oxygen for 2 minutes. No gravitational force for 1 minute. No rain for a while. No sunlight for days. This list goes on and on.
But this is an external list. Now let's go within, and imagine again:
The heart stops beating. The blood stops flowing. The food doesn't get digested. This list is very long too.

God is the best painter, the best doctor, the best creator, best of best in everything. Anytime our ego makes us think otherwise, we need to remember HIM and realize that we don't even come close, infact we are way far!

THANK YOU GOD, for everything.

Sanjeev Aneja
www.sanjeevaneja.com

Take the T out of Can'T

2010-02-18T08:38:00.000-08:00

I read this beautiful small story that said it so well, so here it is. There is a chapter in my book "For It To Be, It's Up To Me" titled Take the T out of Can't. As soon as the T is out, Can't becomes Can. Let no one tell you it can't be done. Ofcourse, it is very possible that it may not get done at all anyhow, but starting with negativity will only make it impossible. Here's the story:

Once upon a time there was a bunch of tiny frogs who arranged a running competition. The goal was to reach the top of a very high tower. A big crowd had gathered around the tower to see the race and cheer on the contestants. The race began.
Honestly, no one in the crowd really believed that the tiny frogs would reach the top of the tower. You heard statements such as,
“Oh, WAY too difficult!!”
“They will NEVER make it to the top.”
“Not a chance that they will succeed. The tower is too high!”
The tiny frogs began collapsing, one by one, except for those, who in a fresh tempo, were climbing higher and higher.
The crowd continued to yell, "It is too difficult!!! No one will make it!" More tiny frogs got tired and gave up.
But ONE continued higher and higher and higher. This one wouldn’t give up! At the end everyone else had given up climbing the tower. Except for the one tiny frog who, after a big effort, was the only one who reached the top! THEN all of the other tiny frogs naturally wanted to know how this one frog managed to do it? A contestant asked the tiny frog how he had found the strength to succeed and reach the goal? It turned out that the winner was DEAF!!!!
The wisdom of this story is - Never listen to other people’s tendencies to be negative or pessimistic because they take your most wonderful dreams and wishes away from you — the ones you have in your heart! Always think of the power words have. Because everything you hear and read will affect your actions!
Therefore -ALWAYS be POSITIVE! And above all, Be DEAF when people tell YOU that you cannot fulfill your dreams!
Always think - God and I can do this!
To The World You Might Be One Person; But To One Person You Might Be the World.
In the Walk of LIFE, do not worry of people moving ahead of You, take your time. But, once you are ready to run, make sure you are the BEST OF ALL.

Our actions lead to our destiny or does our destiny inspire our actions? Part 1

2010-01-01T12:15:00.000-08:00

It is a very common belief that our actions lead us to our results. As we sow, so shall we reap! And it sounds absolutely right too. After all, that is what we see day in and day out. We study well, we get good grades. We work, we earn. We think and act big, we achieve big! It all starts with us (atleast that is what we think). The billion dollar question is "Do we really create our destiny"?

Here are few thoughts to ponder. Add more as time goes by. And then see if you come to a different conclusion. Mind you here, this is a very different way of looking at things and if you come to a different conclusion, sharing with others will surely make them wonder if you have lost your mind. Infact, some may start thinking so about me. It's OK, this is not about me or you. This is a philosophical thought process, neither right nor wrong nor there to convince someone either way. It's there to give us another way of looking at things. Earth was always flat and the mere thought of it being round was ridiculous. But now tell someone that the earth is flat. Bring their attention to old books that said so and FIRMLY believed so and they will laugh at you. Here we go:

A child is born in a poor family with no food to eat and in a war torn area. What action of this child led to his destiny to be born there?
This child is adopted by a rich family and travels to USA. Was it the destiny of this child that led to the actions of the adopters or his action that created this opportunity?

A student is brilliant, tops in every class. Is riding his bike, is hit by a car and gets paralysed. Where did he go wrong? Did his destiny lead him to that spot? Were it not destiny, could that child have stayed at home?
As luck would have it, a doctor invents a medicine that works for this child and he returns to a normal life. Was it this child's action or the right timing of that medicine that created his destiny?

An employee is ready to go to work. She gets a phone call saying her mom is sick and she takes a day off. Within hours, she finds out that the building she would have been sitting in has been hit by a plane and all is over. Did her destiny save her or her actions?

A family plans a wonderful 1st class well deserved vacation. The plane crashes, all but one die. The one saved is fully disabled (or walks out unhurt). Actions to destiny or destiny to action?

Two children are born in a family. One succeeds beyond her expectations, other fails miserably. Surprisingly, the smarter one failed. Actions or destiny?

One day, you just want to be charitable. You donate a lot of money to help poor kids around the world. Their action? Their destiny?
But you say, well my action led to their destiny. There are so many poor children, why did only some get picked to be helped? Did you decide whose destiny you would change?

Three people start a business. One succeeds despite the circumstances, other 2 don't. Why?

Same person who is extremely successful once just can't seem to make it no matter how hard he tries. Why?
Did the actions change? Probably not. My guess would be the actions were even stronger, efforts even harder. So why those results?

Think of a movie/play. The script is already written by the director. The director decides who gets what role, how they act, and what the conclusion of each scene and the whole movie/play would be. Our life is like that too. We are mere actors in this movie called LIFE. God is the Director. He decides our role, and it's length. Infact it is all decided before we ever show up. Good news is, HE does give us some flexibility on how we act/play but that's it. If you think differently, look back at your life and circumstances. There are many things you would love to change in your past. There are many things you would have wanted to happen differently, including saving the lives of loved ones. Why didn't you control those things? Were they in your control then? Now? Anyhow?

This is not merely a one time reading thing. This is an everyday reflecting thing. And does this mean that we should stop acting? No, infact you can't stop unless that is what HE wants. He has given you a role to play. Don't forget HE is the Director. So next time, let your ego rest a bit. And also let your disappointments be set aside too. All results are already concluded and you will act accordingly, period (including accepting or rejecting this thought process).

We have all heard of being at the right place at the right time. Is there someone who creates the right time that leads us to our destiny? Who?

Accept HIS will & become stress free!

Comments welcome! More to continue in Part 2 (if that is what HE wants) :))

Sanjeev Aneja
http://www.sanjeevaneja.com/

Leave Chinta (Worry), Grab Chintan (Worship)!

2009-10-25T16:27:00.000-07:00

Try this (not for me), and feel the difference (for yourself & in yourself)!

Chinta, a Hindi word for Worry, is what engulfs us so often, for big things and small. But what does it really give us? A solution, absolutely not! Yes, it does give us stress, it gives us headaches, it gives us ulcers, and it gives us sleepless nights. And with all that, more worries come in. As we sow, so we reap. We sow worries, we reap worries, multiplied.

So what is the solution? This sounds very simple but, when put in practice, works miracles. Now, I know this is not for all as many will simply dismiss it instantly. But for those who will try it will feel the power and those who do so already can tell you about the results it delivers. The simple solution? Replace it with Chintan, a Hindi word for Worship.

Next time, when things don't go your way, try the alternate. Leave your worry on one side and start praying. Repeat HIS name (Krishna, Ram, Jesus, Allah, whoever you believe in). While I cannot tell you what the results will be for you (it's a different topic by itself), here is a promise. You will feel relaxed, you will free as if a burden is off your shoulders, you will sleep well!

One caution. If you have not practiced this before, it is possible (infact almost guaranteed) that you will keep worrying even while you are worshipping. And IT IS OK. Just keep worshipping. With time - for some in few hours, for others in few days, and yet others in months, you will be your best judge on how this impacted you positively.

You have nothing to loose and everything to gain. So try it next time. Whenever worry bothers you, replace it with worship. Give yourself the gift that is irreplaceable. May God help you remember HIM when worry surrounds you or is even about to approach you!

Is 60 degrees F a comfortable temperature? A nice day on East Coast?

2009-09-30T11:51:00.000-07:00

We live in New York. It is 60 F outside. Are we happy with that temperature? Is it a cold day, warm day, an OK day?

Well, it's all in perspective, isn't it?

In August, it will be called a cold day, the weather man will ask us to dress accordingly, and we will be searching for our sweater before we go out!

In November, we don't think about it at all because that is what we expect and are prepared for!

In January, that is a beautiful temperature day and we may be tempted to go out without a sweater, infact many times we do!

The temperature remained the same, our acceptance varied based on what we thought should be normal. Based on what we perceived as actual. Based on comparisons.

And this is how it works too in all phases of our lives. We are happy when we get a new car, unhappy when a neighbor gets a better one. We are happy to earn X amount but unhappy to find that our colleague is making X + 1. We expected to make 8 sales this month, but despite our best efforts, we made only 6 (which may be actually pretty good by industry standards but..). We look outside for our inner happiness, instead of looking within. A little change in this thinking can make all the difference.

All we have to do is set our standards and when we meet or exceed them, based on our own individual needs (not on someone else's), we enjoy our blessings. That standard will be our 60 degrees. Should we want 82 in August, November, and January? You bet! But 60 should be fine and not a cause of comments or concern, if that is all that is delivered to us.

Next time, let's look at why what we have doesn't look good enough. Are we using a wrong barometer? Then, look at those who don't have anywhere close to what we have. And then see the change in us, the feeling of gratitude within us. It's all in perspective. Aim high for success; never forget those who are less priviliged for stress free living.

5 reasons why people fail to achieve their best!

2009-09-21T14:37:00.000-07:00

Do the opposite of these 5 things, add the luck factor to it, and it becomes a formula for success. So why did I not write the article '5 things to do to succeed' instead of writing '5 reasons people fail'? Because most people, while they want to succeed, don't want to do what is necessary. But the same people will pay a little more attention to avoid steps that create failure. Amazing, but true.

Wrong Barometer: We measure our success within a box and can't look beyond. So when the target is low, while it is easier to reach it, it almost never let's one achieve their true potential.

Quick success: In today's world, everyone wants it fast, wants it now. Fast is not fast enough anymore. While some things can happen quick, most have their success time frame. Having a lot is excellent, wanting it right away is what leads to dishonesty & failure.

Giving up too quickly: When quick success is expected, and it doesn't come, most give up. Little do they understand the farming concept. There is a season to seed, and a season to reap. Seeding and expecting fruits instantly isn't wise, is it?

Wanting but not working towards it: Having big dreams but putting little efforts rarely produces results. Working smart is excellent but having a false concept of smart work can easily mess it all up. There is only one place where success comes before work. You know where? In the dictionary.

Sleeping too much: Sleeping an hour less a day saves us 300 hours a year (assuming we sleep that extra hour for the other 65 days). 300 hours translates to 43 days of 7 hour days. Imagine adding 8.5 weeks of working weeks to your 50 weeks? That alone can be the difference between success and failure. And how about waking up 2 hours early each day? One word of advise here - make sure you sleep enough, just don't sleep it off.

God Vs Material desires!

2009-07-31T18:40:00.000-07:00

In Indian scripture 'Shrimad Bhagvatam', there is a story of Arjun (follower of truth and God's dear friend) & Duryodhan (an evil man who believed in possessions by hook or crook).

Once, despite all efforts, a war became inevitable between Arjun's side and Duryodhan's side. Both went to Lord Krishna (GOD). Krishna was a dear friend of Arjun but HE wanted to be fair to both sides and made an offer to both with 2 options.
Option 1. You can have all my army
Option 2. You can have me but I will not bear any arms so I won't be of help in the war

Since Duryodhan had arrived first, he was asked to make his choice first, even though this guy was no where dear to Lord Krishna compared to Arjun. Duryodhan was very pleased and asked for all the army. And why not. After all, of what use is Lord Krishna, as HE won't even be assisting in the war? Arjun was very relieved and pleased to have his friend Krishna, even if there was no help available from Krishna.

What should have Duryodhan done in such a situation? Pick the army or God? And our answer invariably is - God instead of the army. After all, that seems like an obvious choice, specially when we know that Arjun won the war because Krishna was on his side.

Now let's go to our daily choices. If we were given a choice to get all the material world conveniences vs giving up everything and taking God, what would we pick? Actually, we get that choice daily, and who do we pick? If we have a choice to go make a sale/go to a vacation vs do some prayers (& remember and be with HIM), which do we pick?

Why is it that we say that Duryodhan should have picked Krishna yet we miss that opportunity everyday of our life, again and again? Keeping this in mind, now let's ask that question again - was Duryodhan wrong? If yes, then are we wrong too, everyday?

Share your thoughts with us. Given a choice (actually we have been given that choice), would you rather be like Arjun or Duryodhan? Give it all to get him? Want it all and give HIM up? Or have it all and hope to have him too?

Our Past is NOT Equal to Our Future!

2009-07-07T09:00:00.000-07:00

So often, we see people making the same mistakes again and again and blaming their past for their results. While there is no doubt that our past actions are the reason we are where we are today, we don't have to be stuck here. Our carefully chosen actions today normally determine our tomorrow.

Problem: Overweight.
Likely reason: Undisciplined eating habits; lack of exercise.
Solution: We know the answer that is most suitable for us. All we have to do is act.

Problem: Lack of sales, financial stress.
Likely reason: Not putting our priorities right.
Solution: Become the best at what we do, become irreplaceable.

Problem: Strained relationships.
Likely reason: Different view points, clash of opinions.
Solution: Look at their viewpoint. Say sorry for the past actions and mean it.

Problem: Whatever it is.
Likely reason: Take time out, sit back, and find out why.
Solution: Work on the reasons and see the difference.

Also, when we look around, by it's very nature, nothing is permanent. Everything changes. While we can't see it, millions of cells die in our body daily and millions take birth. Our way of thinking changes as we grow. The same things that we fought for, or fought over, are irrelevant years later (sometimes days later).

The biggest challenge is recognizing that we are responsible for our actions, and the results thereof. It is also crucial to recognize that what was important at one time, is not an issue anymore and that we don't have to be stuck in the same mind frame to make similar choices specially when we know better (different) now.

Wishing you a great future. You can make a difference.

Sanjeev Aneja
www.sanjeevaneja.com

Absolute Faith Delivers Unreal Results (often called Miracles)!

2009-06-23T11:30:00.000-07:00

Absolute means 'without any doubts'. The minute there is an alternate possibility, the faith is not complete.

Swami Vivekananda once was talking about faith. He said that complete faith can move mountains. A lady in the audience (from Colorado I believe) was very impressed and decided to do just that with a small mountain that blocked the view from her home. She went, and loudly instructed the mountain to move (with full faith). The mountain did not move. Once again, she asked the mountain to move. It didn't. She tried this the 3rd time and when it didn't, she said - 'I knew the mountain won't move'.

Now here's the question - Was her faith absolute? The answer obviously is NO. While her belief was strong, she doubted the possibility even before she started.

A child's faith when she jumps off 10 steps into her dad's arm is absolute faith. There is no doubt in her mind of falling. A true devotee's faith is absolute when he leaves it all to HIM knowing that whatever happens will happen for his good.

Is there anything there that you feel you have tried your hardest but now is not in your control? Leave it 1000% to HIM with complete faith (no doubts) that HE will handle it for you. And see the miracles unfold right in front of your eyes.

Someday, just for fun, decide to have faith in something happening, even if it means nothing to you. Say it is raining and the clouds are dark, and it is 11AM. Have complete faith, without listening to the weather forecast, that the sun will come out at 1.30PM. Make it absolute and then see what happens at 1.30PM. It is amazing how HE goes out of HIS way to keep your faith alive.

Important- we have to always know & remember that HE knows what is best for us, just like parents knows that for their child. Eeven when a child insists on putting her fingers in the electrical outlet, her parents would never grant that because it is not good for her. The child will cry, but parents know better. But at times, for certain other things, parents will give in and the child learns an expensive lesson. So we should be careful for what we ask, as we may (will) get it. And we should also know that HE knows what is right for us.

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

2009-05-26T21:51:00.000-07:00

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

2009-05-24T09:36:00.000-07:00

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!

2009-05-13T10:09:00.000-07:00

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.

Be Thankful

2009-04-14T12:31:00.000-07:00

We have so much to be thankful for, yet we are often found complaining about what we don't have, instead of being thankful for what we do!
The things most important for our existence come to us for FREE and almost all of us have them. The water we drink, the air we breathe, our hands, eyes, ears - the list goes on and on. We would give up anything for a few breaths, but do we thank GOD for that gift often? Probably not!
Our life would be wonderful if we start recognizing our blessings every day and thank HIM for them every day too. Don't you agree?
Do this daily for 7 days and experience the difference.

Sanjeev
www.sanjeevaneja.com