Corporate Boss: A Nightmare?

Having spent 15 years in job with Corporate India, before becoming an entrepreneur, and few years with an extremely insecure and difficult boss to deal with, let me tell you that it demands a lot of courage and maturity to tolerate a continuous bombardment of both decent and indecent abuses and subtle insults directed from the opposite side.

This article is based on my own experiences, while working with one of the largest Indian corporations during early nineties. 

My boss was a science graduate and was insecured about a qualified engineer directly reporting to him. And also that of many others, who have been sharing with me their own sufferings.

Every evening I would return home soaked with insults and abuse and vowed to resign the next day. I couldn't. Because, I had to take care of my family. Self-respect surrendered to the reality of life. That was the time when I had decided to be an entrepreneur and it took 9 long years to materialise.

Dealing with an insecured and difficult boss can be a challenging and draining experience. I know it, because I had lived that experience and frankly speaking when I remember those years now, I just tell myself: What the 'Hell' was that?

Many employees find themselves in a situation where they have to navigate the delicate balance of maintaining a professional relationship, while also protecting their own well-being. 

It is important to approach the situation with a strategic mindset and utilize a variety of tactics to effectively handle a difficult boss.

One of the key aspects of managing a difficult boss is to maintain open and clear communication. 

It is crucial to address any issues or concerns directly with your boss in a respectful and professional manner. 

By expressing your thoughts and feelings in a constructive way, you can potentially resolve misunderstandings and prevent further conflicts from arising. 

Additionally, it is important to actively listen to your boss’s perspective and try to understand their point of view. This can help foster a sense of empathy and mutual respect in the relationship.

Another important aspect of handling a difficult boss is to set boundaries and manage expectations. 

It is essential to establish clear boundaries in terms of work responsibilities, communication protocols, and personal space. 

By clearly defining your role and expectations, you can avoid potential misunderstandings and minimize conflicts. 

Also, it is important to manage expectations by setting realistic goals and deadlines. This can help alleviate stress and pressure in the workplace, leading to a more harmonious and productive work environment.

Furthermore, it is important to practice self-care and prioritize your well-being when dealing with a difficult boss. 

It is crucial to take care of your physical and mental health by getting enough rest, exercise, and relaxation. By practicing self-care, you can build resilience and cope with the challenges posed by a difficult boss. 

In addition, it is important to seek support from friends, family, or colleagues who can offer guidance and advice. Having a supportive network can provide emotional strength and validation during difficult times.

Innovatively, one can also consider using mindfulness techniques to navigate the complex dynamics of a difficult boss. 

Mindfulness involves being present in the moment and cultivating awareness of one’s thoughts and emotions. By practicing mindfulness, you can develop a sense of calmness and clarity, which can help you respond to challenging situations with composure and grace. 

To add further, mindfulness can help cultivate empathy and compassion towards your boss, which can deepen your understanding of their behavior and motivations.

In conclusion, handling a difficult boss requires a strategic approach that integrates open communication, boundary-setting, expectation management, self-care, and mindfulness. 

By utilizing these different aspects, you can effectively navigate the challenges posed by a difficult boss and maintain a sense of professionalism and well-being in the workplace. 

Remember that you are not alone in facing a difficult boss, and it is important to seek support and guidance when needed. 

By employing a variety of tactics and approaches, you can effectively manage the complexities of a difficult boss and thrive in your professional career

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Sense Of Purpose In Life: An Inner Compass

A sense of purpose is not just a lofty ideal; it is the quiet compass that gives direction to our journey through life. It fuels our motivation, sustains us through challenges, and infuses our daily actions with meaning. Purpose transforms existence into experience and routine into ritual. It helps us answer the deeper questions: Why am I here? What is my life meant to contribute?

At the heart of it, purpose is the soul’s yearning to participate in something greater than the self.

Many great thinkers, philosophers, and spiritual leaders have spoken about this deep inner drive:

“The purpose of life is not to be happy. It is to be useful, to be honorable, to be compassionate... to have it make some difference that you have lived and lived well.” — Ralph Waldo Emerson

“He who has a why to live can bear almost any how.” — Friedrich Nietzsche

“Your purpose in life is to find your purpose and give your whole heart and soul to it.” — Buddha

“Life is never made unbearable by circumstances, but only by lack of meaning and purpose.” — Viktor E. Frankl

“Don’t ask yourself what the world needs. Ask yourself what makes you come alive, and go do that... Because what the world needs is people who have come alive.” — Howard Thurman

“The two most important days in your life are the day you are born and the day you find out why.” — Mark Twain

“Efforts and courage are not enough without purpose and direction.” — John F. Kennedy

There is a deeper, spiritual dimension to this idea. Beyond ambition, goals, and even passion, lies the truth that we are not just bodies with minds—we are souls. And the soul, they say, is immortal. It travels through lifetimes, evolving, experiencing, and learning, until it integrates fully with the Ultimate Soul—the Source.

This life, this moment, this current station on your journey is not random. You are here now for a reason.

But how do we uncover that reason?

Mark Twain asked the question point blank: Why were you born? And even more piercingly—What for?

These aren’t questions that yield answers in a rush. They ask us to slow down. To get quiet. To look inward.

On a quiet day, when the noise of the world dims and your to-do list loosens its grip on your mind, find a moment for yourself. No screens, no distractions. Just you and your breath.

Sit in silence. Close your eyes. Let your thoughts drift by like clouds in the sky. Give yourself permission to just be. Then, when your mind is calm, ask:

• Who am I?
• Why am I here?
• What is my purpose in this phase of life?

Don’t strain for answers. Just listen. Feel. Notice what stirs within. Sometimes, the answers come as a feeling. Sometimes as a memory. Sometimes as a subtle whisper.

You might not get clarity in one sitting—but something will shift. Something deep inside will awaken and begin to guide you.

It’s important to understand that purpose is not always grand or fixed. It can evolve. What feels purposeful at 20 might change at 40 or 60. In one season of life, your purpose might be to care for a loved one. In another, to create. In yet another, to heal, teach, build, or serve.

Your purpose doesn’t have to make headlines. It only needs to make you feel alive. At peace. Aligned.

Purpose is not something you find like a buried treasure. It’s something you remember—and slowly uncover from within.

You are not here by accident. Your existence is meaningful. Your presence matters.

Feel free to share your thoughts or personal reflections in the comments—I’d love to hear what your soul says when you ask it: Why am I here?

Image by 巻（Maki） from Pixabay

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Lessons From Mother That Changed My Life!

"Mom, don’t leave me alone. Please! I’ll drown!" I cried out, panic rising in my chest as I clung to her hand in the middle of the pool.

That day, my mother decided it was time I learned how to swim. And she wasn’t going to ease me into it.

I was just a boy—seven or maybe eight years old—and terrified. Not just of water, but of the unknown.

This wasn’t a fancy, tiled pool like the ones we see today. Back then—several decades ago—some houses had large, pond-like pools. Ours was one of them. And that morning, it became my training ground and, as it turned out, the setting for some of the most powerful lessons of my life.

At first, she led me into waist-deep water, held my hand, and said gently, “Try to float.” I tried. Over and over. But each attempt ended the same way—me sinking and gasping, as she pulled me back up. I was frustrated and scared, and every part of me wanted to get out of that pool and never return.

But she wouldn’t let me quit.

Then, without warning, she grabbed the straps of my shorts and started swimming toward the center of the pool, dragging me along.

I panicked. “Mom! What are you doing?” I spluttered as water filled my mouth and nose. But she kept going.

Once we reached the middle of the pool, the deep end, she let go.

She looked at me in the eyes and said, “Son, from here on, you’re on your own. You have to swim.”

I couldn’t believe it. “Please don’t leave me!” I begged. “I’ll drown!”

She gave me a calm, reassuring smile. “No, you won’t. I’m right here. But now, you have to do this yourself.”

It felt like betrayal in the moment. How could she just leave me there, in the deep water, with nothing to hold on to?

I shouted one last plea: “What if I die?”

Swimming a few feet away, she replied softly, “You won’t. I’ll save you if you fail to float. But now it’s your turn.”

I had no choice. I kicked. I moved my arms. I tried to stay above water. It was messy and ungraceful, but something clicked. I didn’t drown. I swam.

It may have been just a few feet, but to me it felt like crossing an ocean. I made it to the edge of the pool, clung to the side, gasping for breath, but I had done it.

That day, I learned how to swim. But more importantly, I learned something deeper, something that my mother knew I was ready to understand:

1. Fear controls you if you let it.

2. Growth begins where comfort ends.

3. You have to fight your own battles.

She didn’t abandon me. She empowered me. She wasn’t being harsh. She was showing me that I was stronger than I believed.

Years later, if I find myself going back to that moment, whenever life throws me into deep waters -- when I’m scared, uncertain, or out of my depth -- I hear her voice, steady: “You won’t die. You just have to try.”

Image by hartono subagio from Pixabay

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Hope: The Engine Of Life

The foundation of our existence is hope. It is the invisible engine that keeps us moving toward our destination, even when the road ahead seems uncertain, lonely, or dark.

“Hope is being able to see that there is light despite all of the darkness.” — Desmond Tutu

Talk about perseverance, persistence, patience, anything that drives us forward. All of these are fueled by one thing: hope for a better future in every domain of life.

When hope vanishes, life begins to crumble. Without it, we are lost. When hope dies, something inside us dies too, maybe physically, maybe emotionally, or sometimes both. That’s why, even in the harshest storms, we must protect and nurture our hope.

“Once you choose hope, anything is possible.” — Christopher Reeve

Hope is not just a fleeting feeling. It is a positive cognitive state, rooted in a belief that we can shape our destiny, through free-will, through planning, and through consistent action. It’s the inner voice that says: “You can do this. Just one more step.”

Even when we feel trapped in a long, dark tunnel, hope is the light at the end. It whispers, “There’s more to come. Keep going.” 

And yet, hope alone is not enough.

To bring our hopes to life, we must take massive and determined action. We must move, not just wish. That combination of hope and hard work is what turns dreams into reality.

“Hope is the companion of power, and mother of success; for who so hopes strongly has within him the gift of miracles.” — Samuel Smiles

Our goals may be material, or they may be spiritual. They may be simple or complex. But whatever they are, the formula remains the same: Hope + Action = Progress.

The purpose of this article is to reach out to anyone who has lost hope, or who is on the edge of surrendering to Destiny's Torture. Maybe life has been unfair. Maybe your silence has been too long and your suffering too deep. Maybe, like the man I once met whose pain went unheard, you’ve begun to think there's no way out. But, trust me, there is.

“Everything that is done in this world is done by hope.” — Martin Luther

Hope is not a luxury. It is a necessity. It is the first step toward healing, justice, freedom, and purpose. If you're struggling, let this be a reminder that you are not alone. You are not powerless. And your story isn’t over yet.

“They say a person needs just three things to be truly happy in this world: someone to love, something to do, and something to hope for.” — Tom Bodett

Hope is the foundation of a meaningful life. Protect it. Fight for it. Live it.

Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay

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How Miracle Happened In My Life

It’s difficult to define pain and pleasure—two opposite emotions that dictate our well-being.

Through my numerous interactions with more than a hundred souls, I’ve come to realize:

For some, pain is losing their loved ones.

For others, it’s losing a high-paying job.

Some feel pain when they have nothing left to do except wait for death.

And then, there’s another kind of pain—the one that comes when basic needs are out of reach. The pain of hunger, of not having a roof over your head, of lacking even the bare minimum to survive. I have experienced this pain.

But nobody talks about it. Nobody bothers. Because most people don’t understand what real pain is, let alone experience it.

The same applies to pleasure. We are so immersed in materialistic pleasures that we have no idea what spiritual pleasure means. And that’s okay. Not all of us are meant to be Amitabh Bachchan or Shahrukh Khan. Life has its own game plan for each of us.

But within our own limits, we must try to redefine and rewrite our destiny. And that is only possible when we surrender—to the force that governs our lives—and keep doing our karma to the best of our abilities.

When we truly surrender, miracles happen.

I experienced one recently.

One of my clients had been withholding my payment. I was in urgent need of funds for my daughter’s wedding and was short by ₹2 lakh. I sent them an invoice for ₹22,500, at least for the GST payment, hoping they would clear it.

But I also did something else.

I turned to my Guruji—Babaji—who introduced Kriya Yoga to the world through Paramhansa Yogananda, the author of Autobiography of a Yogi. I told him, "You take care. I surrender to you completely."

The next day, I received a payment.

Not ₹22,500.

But ₹2,22,500.

Someone had added a zero. And somehow, it went unnoticed.

In a ₹1000-crore company, where checks and balances are strict, where every transaction is scrutinized, how could such a mistake happen?

It wasn’t extra money. It was exactly what was owed to me. Exactly what I needed.

A coincidence? I don’t think so.

A miracle? Absolutely.

Who made this happen? My Babaji.

If you seek miracles, they won’t come. But if you surrender—genuinely, completely, in your true helplessness—something shifts. The universe listens.

I surrendered. And the universe, through Babaji, responded.

I share real-life stories. If this one helps you in any way, I am grateful.

Photo by Viktoriia Kondratiuk

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Why Are You So Tensed All The Time?

We don't feel as happy as we are supposed to, when a particular incident happens that makes us happy.

We feel more happy than ever when we remember that moment of achievement later. Think about it. Understand it. The reason is we never live in the present. Past is a memory and thats what govern our lives.

Again and again when that moment reflects back as memory, again and again we feel more and more happy.

Same happens with our moments of sadness. We feel more and more sad, when our memory recreates those moments of pains and agonies from past.

Sit anywhere, devoid of any external interference, and remember both your moments of happiness and sadness.

You will realize a simple fact of life that we are taught to ignore - forget past and look into future.

I believe, and have realized, past is the foundation of future success through Present.

We must remember our past achievements and failures, and learn the lessons. And then, move forward to achieve whatever we can.

Everytime we fall flat, we must remember how we got up; everytime we fail, we must acknowledge how we had achieved success; everytime the darkness of life envelops us, we must recognize how we came out of it.

The equation of life is not same for all. Some go through extreme pains; some through bearable agonies and the remaining with moderate anxiety.

We all go through the ups and down of life. However, most are fortunate to experience bearable sufferings and the rest unbelievable.

Which-ever category your life belong to, please try to understand, not just your own pains and agonies but that of those who are suffering much more than you.

Try your best to the best of your capacity and ability to minimize the same, and make that mission your purpose of life.

Once you practice this path of renunciation, giving others what best you can, who are not as fortunate as you, trust me, you will feel really happy from within.

I tried this concept in Rishikesh during my 10 days trip in the beginning of this month. Hence, I know that I am speaking truth.

Havan at Rishikesh, early morning.

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The Power Of Love And Hardwork

The sun had long set, casting a shadow over the home of the Sharma family. Inside, Deepika Sharma sat at the small kitchen table, staring blankly at kitchen utensils in front of her. 

Her husband Anant was out looking for work again, leaving her alone with their three young children.

Sharmas had always been a hardworking family, but lately, they had been struggling to make ends meet. 

Anant had lost his job at a auto component manufacturing factory a few months ago, and despite his best efforts, he hadn't been able to find steady employment. 

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Confession Of An Entrepreneur

As a Recruiter, first as an employee of one of the largest Executive Search organizations in India, and then as the Founder of one of the most popular Recruitment Firms in Delhi, at that time, I had watched from close the rise and fall of many professionals Iike me.

They thrived beyond their expectations, controlled their empire with an iron hand, and eventually fell like the Roman emperors.

I had observed from close proximity: Their success in the prime time of their career, and down-fall over the period of decades.

Most of them, while ruling over their own empire, never realized that a day will come without fail when they would have no option but to fade into oblivion.

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Ravi's Battle Against Destiny's Torture

Ravi's life has never been easy. From a young age, he has faced challenges that seemed insurmountable. Born into a broken home, Ravi never knew the love and care of both parents. 

His father struggled with addiction, leaving  to fend for himself most of the time. As a result, he grew up quickly, taking on responsibilities far beyond his years.

Despite his difficult upbringing, Ravi was determined to make something of himself. He excelled in school, earning top grades and scholarships to prestigious universities. 

But just as he was about to embark on his journey to a brighter future, tragedy struck. A car accident claimed the lives of both his parents, leaving Ravi completely alone in the world.

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The True Power Comes From Within

Not so long ago, in a small village nestled in the lush green valleys of the Himalayas, lived a young boy named Mihir. 

Mihir was a dreamer, always fascinated by the majestic mountains that surrounded his village. 

He would often spend hours gazing at the snow-capped peaks, imagining all the adventures that awaited him beyond the village.

Mihir's family was poor, and opportunities for education and career advancement were scarce in the village. But Mihir was undeterred. 

He was determined to break free from the constraints of his circumstances and make something of himself. 

And so, he turned to his greatest source of inspiration - his grandmother.

Mihir's grandmother, Tulsi, was a wise and kind soul. She had seen her fair share of struggles and hardships in life, but her spirit remained unbroken. 

Tulsi was a firm believer in the power of perseverance and self-belief. She would often tell Mihir that the only limits in life are the ones we place on ourselves.

One day, as Mihir sat with his grandmother overlooking the valley, she told him a story. 

It was a tale of a young prince who was born into a kingdom plagued by darkness and despair. 

The prince grew up surrounded by doubt and fear, but he harbored a deep yearning for something more, something greater.

One day, the prince decided to embark on a quest to find the source of light that would banish the darkness from his kingdom. 

He traveled far and wide, facing numerous challenges and obstacles along the way. 

But he never wavered in his determination, for he knew that within him lay the power to overcome any adversity.

Finally, after a long and arduous journey, the prince reached the mystical city of light. 

There, he discovered that the source of light was not an external force, but his own indomitable spirit. 

The prince realized that true power comes from within, and that he possessed the strength and courage to bring about change in his kingdom.

As Tulsi finished the story, she looked into Mihir's eyes and said, "My dear child, you are like that young prince. You have the power to illuminate the darkest corners of your life with the light of your own dreams and aspirations. Do not let anyone or anything dim the brightness of your spirit."

Mihir was deeply moved by his grandmother's words. He felt a newfound sense of purpose and determination burning within him. 

He realized that his dreams were not just distant fantasies, but achievable goals that he could strive towards with unwavering faith and resilience.

From that day on, Mihir dedicated himself to his studies and personal growth. 

He devoured books on a wide range of subjects, eager to expand his knowledge and broaden his horizons. 

He took on odd jobs in the village to save money for further education, determined to carve out a path for himself that would lead to a brighter future.

Years passed, and Mihir's hard work and perseverance paid off. He earned a scholarship to study at a prestigious university in Delhi, where he excelled in his academics and extracurricular activities. 

His passion for learning and his unwavering commitment to his goals inspired those around him, and he became a source of inspiration for the younger generations in his village.

Today, Mihir is a successful entrepreneur, running his own business that supports sustainable development projects in rural communities. 

He often returns to his village, where he shares his story with the children and encourages them to dream big and never give up on their aspirations.

And as he stands on the mountain-top, overlooking the valley that was once his home, Mihir knows that the true source of inspiration and motivation lies within each of us - waiting to be ignited by the fire of our dreams and nurtured by the unwavering belief in our own potential.

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The Hope!

 

The foundation of our existence is HOPE. Hope is the Engine of Life that helps us keep moving toward our destination. Perseverance, Persistence, Patience, talk about anything, all are fundamentally influenced and governed by hope for a better future in every domain of life.

If there is no hope, there is nothing in life. If there is no hope, we cease to exist. When hope dies, we too die. May be physically, or emotionally, or both.

So, keep the hope alive even in the worst situation. All I have written in this book is about my own experience with regard to inability to give up. This book is a collection of articles I have written, while going through the worst period of life.

Some of the articles are true stories and the rest are the expression of thoughts and ideas coming to my mind. Navigating the dark cloud of Destiny's Torture, I started inspiring myself through writing these article. It was a kind of self-talk to save me from the pains and agonies of life and remain hopeful about a great future.

Hope is a positive cognitive state based on a sense of successful goal-directed determination and planning to meet those goals. Goddess Elpis in Greek Mythology is the spirit of HOPE.

Clearly indicating that Hope Helps Us Keep Going, a relevant article from "The Psychology Today," highlights:

"Research indicates that hope can help us manage stress and anxiety and cope with adversity. It contributes to our well-being and happiness and motivates positive action. Hopeful people believe they can influence their goals, that their efforts can have a positive impact. They are also more likely to make healthy choices to eat better or exercise, or do the other things that will help them move toward what they are hoping for."

So we must never let the hope disappear from life, even when stuck up in the dark tunnel of life. Hope keeps us alive and it is nothing but the flame of a better future in all domains of life.

Highlighting that "Hope is more than wishful thinking. It’s a blend of optimism and willpower," a write up in "PsychCentral" Calls attention to:

"High-hope people fare better in several areas of life. According to Snyder’s hope theory, higher levels of hope are consistently linked to better outcomes regarding mental health, physical health, academics, athletics, physical health, and psychotherapy."

However, at the same time, to make our hope come true we have to unleash massive actions towards achieving whatever our goals are. The goals could be anything. Materialistic and or Spiritual. Whatever those are, we can achieve the same with a combination of Hope and Hard-work.

The purpose of this book is to motivate them who have lost Hope, or in the process of giving up the same in life. Hope is the foundation of living a meaningful life and an existence full of happiness.

PS: From my book "Elpis - The Hope," available on Amazon. It's obtainable in both paperback and Kindle softcopy format. Please click on the following link: https://www.amazon.in/dp/B0BSV1P1ZF

Photo by Torsten Dettlaff

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Build Your Life Again From The Bottom!

An amazing book I had finished reading yesterday at one go: "Dopamine Detox." It is written by Meurisse Thibaut.

The conclusion of the book, as summarized by the author, is as follows:

"You can choose to control your focus, or you can let someone else take it away from you.

When you learn to avoid highly stimulating activities that destroy your ability to remain calm and focused, you’ll find yourself capable of tackling your major tasks with more ease than ever before.

Going through a dopamine detox will help you lower your level of stimulation and ensure you work on your major tasks.

Remember that excitement and fulfillment aren’t the same things.

As you learn to eliminate external stimulations and immerse yourself in your work, hobbies, or relationships, you’ll experience a deeper sense of fulfillment and will feel much better.

You will also end up becoming far more productive and accomplishing many of your goals and dreams.

So, stop letting your environment hijack your brain and regain control of it instead.

This is the key to a healthy and productive life."

Today morning I uninstalled/disabled FB, Instagram, Netflix, Hotstar, Zee5, Amazon Prime on my phone, left all groups on WhatsApp except one and silenced every single one of the notifications.

However, relaxation being important, I do access them sometime at the end of my daily work schedule on my personal Laptop only.

You will be surprised to know that there is no TV in my house. So, the deadliest source of distractions doesn't exist. 

On an average. I read a good and informative book every week. It means, minimum 52 books a year and, trust me, I enjoy doing the same.

To conclude: Let me tell you, it has been a great distraction free day so far and I am determined to continue with the same strategy for a long time.

Image Credit: Engin Akyurt

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Hope Is The Engine Of Life

The foundation of our existence is HOPE. Hope is the Engine of Life that helps us keep moving toward our destination. 

Perseverance, Persistence, Patience, talk about anything, all are fundamentally influenced and governed by hope for a better future in every domain of life. 

If there is no hope, there is nothing in life. If there is no hope, we cease to exist. When hope dies, we too die. May be physically, or emotionally, or both. So, keep the hope alive even in the worst situation. 

Hope is a positive cognitive state based on a sense of successful goal-directed determination and planning to meet those goals. 

We must never let the hope disappear from life, even when stuck up in the dark tunnel of life. Hope keeps us alive and it is nothing but the flame of a better future in all domains of life. 

However, at the same time, to make our hope come true we have to unleash massive actions towards achieving whatever our goals are. 

The goals could be anything. Materialistic and or Spiritual. Whatever those are, we can achieve the same with a combination of Hope and Hardwork. 

The purpose of this article is to motivate them who have lost Hope, or in the process of giving up the same in life. 

Hope is the foundation of living a meaningful life and an existence full of happiness.

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A Man of Action!

Few years ago, after getting down from Metro Rail at Chattarpur Station, New Delhi, I was looking for an auto-ricksaw.

I was standing on the pavement across the main road. With people moving like ants, there was no sign of an auto.

Suddenly, just a meter away from me, an auto-ricksaw came to a screeching halt and the driver waved at me.

I ran toward him, and as soon as I reached him he said in English, "Sir, get inside, else this policeman would challan me."

Perplexed, how an auto-driver was speaking fluent English, I first got inside and then asked him about his background.

To cut the story short - He, a Master in Political Science, retired from a Govt. Job, is now an auto-driver not out of compulsion.

Further discussion with him revealed, when, after retirement, he was unable to find out a job that would keep him busy for at least 8 hrs a day, he decided to buy an auto and drive it.

He was talking to me in chaste English. 

"Sir, I receive a good pension and both my sons are well settled. However, I can't sit idle through-out the day. Hence, I decided to take up this profession," he concluded. 

With my destination fast approaching, I decided to end the conversation.

However, even after 2 years of our chance encounter, I still remember him for his dedication to action.

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Live Life At Full Potential!

I met him in one of my favorite pubs: The Orient Tavern, Vasant Kunj. I still vividly remember it.

I was sitting in a corner table, drinking my favorite brand. He was trying to be comfortable in the adjacent table.

I looked at him and said, "Hi."

He replied with the same word and equal enthusiasm, but with a strange sadness in his eyes.

"I am Abhijit, what's your name?" I took the discussion forward.

During the next couple of hours, there, in that pub, while gulping down several pegs of Whiskey with that stranger in late night hours, I realized that learnings in life might come from the most unexpected situations.

Light in the restaurant was dim. Music in the background was like whispers. Me and he were intensely involved in conversation.

"Abhijit, don't ever fool yourself in the name of sacrifice. Don't ever spoil your life for nothing. Your life is precious, and you must live it at full potential." 

I could see the pains of life and notice the sufferings of being alive - in his eyes. It was scary for me, as if someone from the heaven was talking to me.

Before leaving the restaurant, he told me what I still remember: Abhijit, live your emotion, embrace your feelings and celebrate your helplessness - never bother about the reaction of others. Let them think, anything!

Image Credit: Madhurima Kar

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How Criticism Made Me A Better Version Of Myself!

More than 3 decades ago, I cleared my 12th board examination with 8 grace marks in English. Despite scoring pretty well in science subjects, which ultimately ensured my admission into an elite engineering college ( NIT, Nagpur), my overall grade in XIIth board was drastically down due this pathetic performance in English.

 Frankly speaking, I had a great disliking for English during the formative years of life and never attempted to make any improvement even. I used to be so poor in spoken English, that, during my Engineering college days, I had always avoided mixing up with English speaking classmates.

 Well, destiny had something else in mind for me. After passing out from the college, when I failed to write a job application in English, leading to a group of friends laughing at me in front of many others, I, for several hours, wept uncontrollably, but then, I decided to do something about it.

 On that day, before falling asleep, I vowed to myself that I must learn to speak and write in English within three months to give those friends a fitting reply. First step in that direction was to subscribe to an English news paper, and then, I bought a Bengali-to-English dictionary.

 For the next 3 months, without fail, I continued with a tireless effort of investing several hours a day on reading English newspapers, writing down the meaning of each and every word that I couldn’t understand and, finally, made every attempt to improve my ability to speak in English by talking to the wall of my bedroom for several hours.

 It was a lonely fight with no help from any living being. But, I continued. My determination and efforts begun producing visible results, adding fuel to my endeavor for improving more and more. During those 3 months, I didn’t let anyone get a hint of what I had been after. Then, one fine morning, I offered to write the job application for one of my friends.

 I still clearly remember his facial expression while reacting to my proposal with a sarcastic comment. Ignoring. However, I went ahead and tried my best to design an impacting cover letter and showed him the draft. One by one, all three of them read it and looked at my face with shear disbelief. And, at that point, I dropped another bombshell by initiating a verbal communication in English. They were stunned!

 The desire to give a fitting reply to my friends’ neglect, motivated me to achieve something difficult if not impossible. Their criticism, instead of demotivating me, inspired me to look upon this obstacle as a challenge to overcome, and I did it. 

 The mission was accomplished and that success laid the foundation of a never-give-up attitude in life, which, since then, has remained with me up until now, and I wish, it remains, forever, as an integral part of my life. 

 Two and decades later, when I wrote my first article in late 2008 and published it on LinkedIn, one of the readers made a categorical statement that instead of wasting my time and energy on such attempts, I should go for fishing. It was like getting completely stripped down before a huge audience, as his comment was read by hundreds of renowned professionals from all over the world.

 I agree that there were quite a few grammatical mistakes in that article. However, instead of pointing it out publicly, he could have let me know his observation privately. That’s how a civilized society is expected to function. But he decided otherwise, and it ultimately proved to be a blessing in disguise for me!

 I don’t know what made him launch such a lethal but unusual attack on me, but I didn’t give up this time also. Apart from taking up a week-long grammar lesson from my elder daughter to improve my writing skills, I stayed focused on reading lots of articles from dozens of popular websites and kept posting more and more on my blog and on LinkedIn. 

 After a couple of months, the same person, who suggested fishing a better option than writing, became my 1st degree connection on LinkedIn and wrote a mail to me appreciating my improvements. Well, I must mention that he apologized to me as well.

 Both these developments, in addition to a lot more that I’d share with you later, made my life worth living a thousand times. I must thank God for being so kind to me at times, and also ruthless - whenever I fail to live up-to his expectations on several occasions - perhaps inspiring me to wake up the sleeping giant within.

 So, whenever someone laughs at you, whenever someone writes you off, saying that you’re no good, never retreat to a state of deep hibernation but bounce back with a vengeance to prove them wrong. People would always criticize you, jokingly or genuinely, whenever there’s an opportunity, but, you must turn it to your advantage, genuinely.

Image Credit: Madhurima Kar

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Are You A Survivor Or A Warrior?

"The Devil whispered in my ear, 'You're not strong enough to withstand the storm.' Today I whispered in the Devil's ear, "I am the storm.'" -Unknown

I am not a professional Life Management Coach. I am not even a feather to any cap of excellence. I am a common person, who could come out of acute depression on his own without taking any external help. 

I did it by reprogramming my belief system with the help of knowledge I had gathered from reading 50 plus books and practicing the lessons learned. 

I did it by removing the weeds of negativity from the fertile soil of my subconscious mind and planting the seeds of positivity. 

I did it all alone, while fighting against the torture of destiny at the age of 56. I am 58 now, and ready to fight it out to reclaim my old glory and fame. 

No situation, no compulsion and no circumstance can force you bowing your head down, unless you yourself give up and decide to surrender. 

This post is addressed to those warriors of life, who are facing the extinction of hope. 

Don't lose hope. 

Endure the worst. 

Doing anything and everything to remain alive is your duty, responsibility and commitment to none but yourself. 

Life rewards those, who negotiate the pitch-dark tunnel of failure without losing hope for finding the way out through hard work and perseverance. 

Fight it out! 

Be a warrior!

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Are You Capable of Controlling Your Anger?

Why people get so angry in normal condition also?

Just went out to a shop for getting some print out. Since there was a formatting involved, I requested him to do so and agreed to pay him for the same.

He got annoyed and started firing me, saying what do I think of him. Is he working for money.
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I kept on saying sorry for few minutes, even though I didn't say anything offensive. He continued for 4/5 minutes and finally calmed down.

Out of curiosity, I tried to find out what was wrong with him and came to know that there is an issue in his family for which he was frustrated.

We must have control over our emotions, in every situation, and I am thinking to suggest him the book "The Four Agreements" to learn how to control the same - the way I started doing after reading that book.

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