This article is inspired from somebody real and I salute her for personifying everything that has been mentioned here. Her life is a testimony to this fact.
Envy of others and cynosure of Goddess Lakshmi, a successful manager in one of the most reputed companies of the world with a huge demand in the corporate world while still in 20s or 30s; both the spouses working- money in plenty, a big house, a good car and all the latest gadgets, children studying in the costliest of schools, what else could one ask for and yet when such people are prone to stress and stress related diseases, it is a sorry state of affairs. Why? Is being too successful taking a toll on all the happiness in life? All the soul searching leads to nothing but a quagmire of conflicting thoughts. The question arises why is there existence of problems when everything seemed to be going on just right! Switching jobs or taking a temporary break do nothing to alleviate the tired mind.
Today, working in the 24X7 cut throat world of competition, time for self has become a rarity. Leisure seems but a luxury. Family and friends get togethers have become almost a thing of the past.
Life for the very busy is full of dichotomy. There are demands on both the fronts- the personal and the professional. Any gap between the two leads to the guilt factor which sets in as a seed and starts growing within the mind till one day this seed takes the form of a tree. It is at this juncture that one needs help.
Can anything be done about it? The answer is yes if one is willing to follow it.
Go back to childhood
Seems awkward initially but the aftereffect is magical. Recollect how happy you were as a child doing things you liked- all the mischief and nonsensical stuff.
Take out old childhood photographs and go through them. Notice that phase in life when your dressing styles were so out of fashion compared to your present living standard.
Get yourself some books and comics meant for children. It might seem silly but then who cares as long as it frees the mind. Play snake and ladder instead of chess, billiards and golf at times. I have tried and believe me, the aftereffect has been magical.
Invest in cartoon DVDs and some of the funniest and most hilarious movies available. Watch them (with family if you are not staying alone) and don't miss a single opportunity to smile and laugh when away from work. Remember the innocence of childhood when little things used to make you smile. Even at work you don't need to be a morone. Nobody appreciates a cross looking person.
Propose games like "jalebi race" or "spoon and marble race" or "three-legged race" once in a while in the office.
Visit zoo or good parks sometimes instead of big malls and cinema halls. Companies are going out of the way in organizing employee engagement activities which is welcome.
Even though you might be cutting a sorry figure at drawing and sketching, try your hand at this art. Or pick up drawing books and fill them with colours. Your mind will feel as light as air.
Try to recollect the times when as a child you used to feel instant pity on the needy. Its time to rekindle those feelings. Visit orphanage or old age homes and see for yourself how there is a life beyond all the artificiality of materialism. The peace of mind achieved after that will be incomparable to any spa or head massage in a parlour. (Not that you don't need the latter. Go ahead).
Pamper yourself once every week or fortnight by buying little gifts for yourself or treating yourself with your favourite dish in a restaurant with your family or friends. This will be the prize for being good throught out the week.
Keep pets. Playing or spending time with them rejuvenates.
Reconnect
Call up your old school and college friends. Try to find some gossip (light hearted and harmless ones) ;)
Don't forget your parents. As a child you were most dependent on them and whatever you are today is because of your own efforts plus their faith in you. Back to present
There are just two things you need to do to enjoy life
Keep your laptop and mobile away once a week
Take a day off your work religiously for revisiting your childhood innocence and fun. It will be infectious and embosom you thoroughly till the time you form a habit that will transform your personality altogether.
Don't let the child in you die as you grow up and climb ladders of success. Ask yourself a question- what if I have just 1 day to live?
How would you like to spend this last day on earth? Spend your leisure in the same way.
Always remember the poem recited during childhood-
“Jack and Jill
Went up the hill
To fetch a pail of water
Jack fell down and broke his crown
And Jill came tumbling after”
Consider the hill to be the pinnacle of success and the water, a part of success out of which you went to fetch your share. If a balance is not maintained, you too would surely come down tumbling and the pain would be greater- stress, strained relationship, conflicting lifestyle, health problems and so on. Wake up and give your life a new meaning before its too late.
Today, working in the 24X7 cut throat world of competition, time for self has become a rarity. Leisure seems but a luxury. Family and friends get togethers have become almost a thing of the past.
Life for the very busy is full of dichotomy. There are demands on both the fronts- the personal and the professional. Any gap between the two leads to the guilt factor which sets in as a seed and starts growing within the mind till one day this seed takes the form of a tree. It is at this juncture that one needs help.
Can anything be done about it? The answer is yes if one is willing to follow it.
Go back to childhood
Seems awkward initially but the aftereffect is magical. Recollect how happy you were as a child doing things you liked- all the mischief and nonsensical stuff.
Take out old childhood photographs and go through them. Notice that phase in life when your dressing styles were so out of fashion compared to your present living standard.
Get yourself some books and comics meant for children. It might seem silly but then who cares as long as it frees the mind. Play snake and ladder instead of chess, billiards and golf at times. I have tried and believe me, the aftereffect has been magical.
Invest in cartoon DVDs and some of the funniest and most hilarious movies available. Watch them (with family if you are not staying alone) and don't miss a single opportunity to smile and laugh when away from work. Remember the innocence of childhood when little things used to make you smile. Even at work you don't need to be a morone. Nobody appreciates a cross looking person.
Propose games like "jalebi race" or "spoon and marble race" or "three-legged race" once in a while in the office.
Visit zoo or good parks sometimes instead of big malls and cinema halls. Companies are going out of the way in organizing employee engagement activities which is welcome.
Even though you might be cutting a sorry figure at drawing and sketching, try your hand at this art. Or pick up drawing books and fill them with colours. Your mind will feel as light as air.
Try to recollect the times when as a child you used to feel instant pity on the needy. Its time to rekindle those feelings. Visit orphanage or old age homes and see for yourself how there is a life beyond all the artificiality of materialism. The peace of mind achieved after that will be incomparable to any spa or head massage in a parlour. (Not that you don't need the latter. Go ahead).
Pamper yourself once every week or fortnight by buying little gifts for yourself or treating yourself with your favourite dish in a restaurant with your family or friends. This will be the prize for being good throught out the week.
Keep pets. Playing or spending time with them rejuvenates.
Reconnect
Call up your old school and college friends. Try to find some gossip (light hearted and harmless ones) ;)
Don't forget your parents. As a child you were most dependent on them and whatever you are today is because of your own efforts plus their faith in you. Back to present
There are just two things you need to do to enjoy life
Keep your laptop and mobile away once a week
Take a day off your work religiously for revisiting your childhood innocence and fun. It will be infectious and embosom you thoroughly till the time you form a habit that will transform your personality altogether.
Don't let the child in you die as you grow up and climb ladders of success. Ask yourself a question- what if I have just 1 day to live?
How would you like to spend this last day on earth? Spend your leisure in the same way.
Always remember the poem recited during childhood-
“Jack and Jill
Went up the hill
To fetch a pail of water
Jack fell down and broke his crown
And Jill came tumbling after”
Consider the hill to be the pinnacle of success and the water, a part of success out of which you went to fetch your share. If a balance is not maintained, you too would surely come down tumbling and the pain would be greater- stress, strained relationship, conflicting lifestyle, health problems and so on. Wake up and give your life a new meaning before its too late.
