End is more exciting or the beginning?

02 JAN, 2021
by Bikash Mohanty

A satisfying conclusion is critical to an inspiring beginning. The energy kindled from the satisfaction itself provides a good boost to all the inspirations needed at the beginning. Yet, some would say beginning is more important, because without it you do not know what sort of ending is possible. It is in the beginning that we do all the planning, and we add resources or adjust to bring down the aimed conclusion. It’s not surprising; like everything else; every subject has more than one viewpoint.

A large percentage of social media contents shared today are pure opinions; just like above analogy…”whether beginning is important or the end”. When an opinion is substantiated with details as to why and how; that becomes information. Information is valuable and we are after! Not all information is valuable. Characteristics, source, origin, and consistency of the information; play a part in assuring which of them are valuable, which are not. It is often tempting to go with what is familiar, but excessive familiarity/attachment makes avoidable seem unavoidable, like our bonding with social media.   Only valuables should be unavoidable; not everything.

While clearing out the garage during the past festive season; my son discovered one of his old bedtime story books, which had the story of “three little bears”. Goes like this: Once upon a time, there were three little pigs, and the time came for them to seek their fortune and build their houses. The first little pig built his house of straw, while the middle brother decided to build a house of sticks. They were done building their houses very quickly and without much hard work. The third pig, the oldest one, decided to build a house of bricks. He did not mind doing some hard work because he wanted a strong house as he knew that in the woods nearby, there was a wolf who liked to catch little pigs and eat them up. Straw-like boundaries may be adaptable as hell, but they are not precisely defensive. A set-up made from sticks is solid, but sufficient wind can still thump it over. But brick? Bricklaying takes a few time and expertise, the space created with such materials will likely stay steadfast through any storm. It is the same with adopting sensible boundaries for ourselves. As worldly facets alter, so as well must our boundaries. Boundaries should not be so pliable that they thumped over by each small thing that comes on its way. A strong boundary is made up of disciplines, resilience, flexibility & certainly a PURPOSE.

In a commercial context, mission statement and vision statement are set for internal organizational guidance. Purpose keeps it focused on why it must exist. Vision aligns the organization with its goals and the Mission empowers how the whole thing can be accomplished in a step-by-step manner. If done well, the combination of all mission-vision-purpose-values ; can inspire and motivate existence of the business every day.

We individuals operate precisely on the same basis as the businesses. The reason values are imperative is that they underlie WAYs in which we approach each single matter in our life. For example, "we do not lie at all" or "we lie only to save a life" or "we lie occasionally"; are different values for different individuals or different businesses.  For some people, adding value and having a purpose in life is an essential and fundamental aim. For others, fulfilment and purpose are halted by fear of failure, lack of motivation.   Only way we can replace this fear with confidence is by embracing a purpose for our life, which is in accordance with our values and we set vision-missions in a rational manner to achieve that purpose.   A great deal of research now suggests that people who have meaning and purpose in their lives are happier, feel more in control and get more out of everything they do. They also experience less stress, less anxiety and are less prone to prolonged bouts of depression.

Communication is quite fundamental to having an upbeat, sound association. Strained ties are caused by a breakdown in communication. Communication is like a path along which words and feelings exchanged between two individuals. When a relationship is tensed, the path is blocked and jammed with confusing messages and harmed sentiments. Whether it is a family member or a friend or a partner; having reliable figures in our life can change everything positively. Learning how to maintain that balance by asking for assurance and comfort voluntarily; from the reliable figures is the first step in creating enduing relationships. It is only fair to ask for support from our allies, friends, families; rather than carrying resentments, in the absence of it, without their knowledge.   Learning how to communicate in a relationship is about satisfying your partner/associate’s needs. To improve communication in a relationship, one party must communicate immediately if they feel ignored/neglected and the other party must discover how to listen, not how to talk and provide comfort in every way possible.

They say, “WHAT YOU SEEK; IS SEEKING YOU”. What a powerful statement it is!!! Isn’t it? What you seek means; what you conceive yourself or what you do yourself in your life. If we conceive trust, trust will return for us. If we conceive confusion, confusion will return for us. If we give love, love will return for us. Likewise, for giving everything opposite, same will return for you. That’s law of the universe.

What are your resolutions for 2021? Any set, yet?   We are so lost in thinking about winning, losing, success, failure; that we have forgotten about living life. The most important thing in life is life itself. To live life to the fullest means facing our fears with bravery, an open mind, and a lack of prejudice. It means making the most of what we have and never settling for less than the life we are capable of living. It means being truly alive and awake to life and not asleep in life's waiting room. During last two days, while I was alone at home; I just sat for hours, closing my eyes doing nothing, took a journey inward and returned right back. Living life is also about sitting quietly for hours and doing nothing. Life is about observing nature, listening to birds chirping, watching the water flow, observing the sunrise-sunset, spending time with animals, loving your family, cooking something for your loved ones, taking care of the health, fulfil responsibilities and doing simple things which has no monetary benefit attached.  

At the arrival of a new year, two songs instantly stimulate my mind. They are old songs; still they do come up; simply because of the memories associated with them…Happy memories.

Friends, Families, Comrades, Ladies & Gentlemen:  Its 2021; and it is Live! Have a year full of wonders and delights.