Musings And Reflections

 

I read a lot of books (as if you didn’t know that).

Of late I find myself gravitating more towards self-help and non-fiction books that are inspiring and spiritual in their essence. I often jot down some points or quotes that make an impression on my mind.

The thing with non-fiction books is, they hold my attention only for a very short while, even though I like to read them. (Weird, right?! I know. What can I say, I am complicated). So I devised an idea to get through non-fiction genre (and more importantly, focus on the content too) by reading three books at a time. I read each book for a designated period of time. This not only helps me to focus but also helps me to remember what I read in that particular book. (I haven’t TM-ed this idea. Feel free to use it if you too struggle to finish non-fiction like me).

Today I came across some really wonderful points that I wish to share and elaborate in this blog. These points gave me clarity and also inspired me to write after a really long time. (See! Books not only make you readers but writers as well!)

The Ross-Conundrum-Reversal (TM! I just invented this as I typed this.)

Most of you must have watched F.R.I.E.N.D.S and either hated it or loved it. I belong to the second category. Remember the episode where Ross has a ‘major shampoo explosion’ and shouts, “Why do bad things happen to good people??’? Well, funny though the scene was, almost every person on the earth has asked or wondered about this at least once in their lifetime. Indeed, why do bad things happen to good people? Most of us are holding on to our fragile hopes with great difficulty and when we see bad things happening, our faith gets shaken up.

Today, as I was reading 8 Positive Attitudes by Robert Schuller, I gained a new insight into this question. The author initially says that God doesn’t have an answer to this question, because apparently, if we get an answer to one of our numerous ‘why’s, we will be pestering God until kingdom come. Hence God refrains from answering this question. The author then says that the right questions will always have an answer, and since the question – why do bad things happen to good people – doesn’t have an answer, it probably isn’t the right question to ask. The right question, the author says is to ask, ‘What happens to good people when bad things happen to them?’

The author answers to this question that, these people get comforted. And that they get better.

I can’t speak for every individual going through a bad time, but this much I know that bad times do not last, and that ultimately healing will set in. We need to believe this. Otherwise how will we get through bad times!?

The author also says that we should not let bad things turn us bitter, but we should let them make us better. All we need is the resilience to get through tough times and the hope that we will come out better and brighter in spirit.

It all comes down to faith!

The Bully Factor:

I have had my fair share of bullying. As a child I was subject to physical bullying by a group of people I had assumed to be my ‘friends’. I have encountered emotional and mental bullying from seniors in my team in office.

All I am trying to say is that I am no stranger to bullying. But the sad part is, not being a stranger doesn’t make it easier. Often I have wondered, why do people behave badly? Why do timid ones like me get bullied?

I found the answer today in a book that I am reading. In the book, Chicken Soup For The Indian Spiritual Soul, I read a story written by an author named Soniya where she addresses this question with a beautiful answer. People behave badly with us and we face such situations so that we know how not to behave. While this may not be an acceptable answer to many, we can make this the right answer so that we get a closure to all those questions wreaking havoc in our mind every time someone bullies us.

Our bullies can become our greatest teachers if only we use our bad experiences with them as a lesson as to how to behave and how not to. I can relate to this on a personal level. Having been bullied badly by a senior in office, when I got newbies to train under me, I ensured that I do not pass on the same treatment to them. I say this with pride that every new member who came to my team became my friend and most of them are still in touch with me even though it has been a decade since I stopped working.

Score 0 for the bullies, Score 1 for the timid ones (present company included!) You may have bullied us, but you didn’t break us! You made us better.

How Spiritual Art Thou!

As I mentioned before, I read a lot of spiritual content on a daily basis. And yet I failed miserably today!

I have always equated being spiritual with being in touch with your higher self, being poised in mind and spirit and not let the little disruptions of the day bother you very much. And yet one tiny disruption in my plan in the evening made me spiral into a depressing depth. It took a lot of brisk-walking (and writing this article) to finally let go of the incident and its effect on me.

And here is where the final quote of the day comes in. From the same lesson in the book of Chicken Soup For The Indian Spiritual Soul, I came across another priceless insight. The true essence of spirituality is reflected not in the words we speak but in the deeds that make up the life we live.

It is a humbling thought that I am yet to develop a spiritual mindset. All the reading in the world won’t help me until I implement into action whatever I learnt from the books. But as long as I gain awareness of my falling, and as long as I keep reminding myself to always focus on the higher self and a better version of myself, there is still hope for me.

It all comes down to hope! And faith, and resilience, and the willingness to keep moving, and not just moving, but moving lightly, so that we leave behind all that weighs down our mind, and walk forth only with lightness and brightness in our heart and mind.