Accepting the positives and negatives of life
The journey through life does not begin and end in the same place. We are born in one place, we may settle in another place, and finally, death may happen anywhere. After the age of 18, the mind tends to crave a return to the place of birth. Our thoughts constantly go in that direction. Many people return to their native places to seek out their life partners. Some are successful in love and others are not so successful. The one who fails in love may experience dejection. The one who succeeds should treasure love and maintain the same intensity of love throughout their lives. A cup of tea has the same taste from the first to the last sip. Similarly, love should also be maintained in that manner.
Everything is God’s design. We should be happy with whatever we have. When we emerge from the womb, the face is pointed down towards the ground and the fists are clenched as if to say we are determined to achieve something in the world. When we die, our hands are empty and open, and our face looks towards the sky as if we have resigned ourselves to the inevitability of death.
In between birth and death, people are very different. Like different plants and trees, people differ in their capabilities, intelligence, and potential. Some are like very valuable trees. They include scientists, doctors, poets, writers, thinkers, and those who give good advice to people and advise them about the future. These people will be remembered as long as the world remains in existence. The rest are like blades of grass and flowers. They are quickly forgotten.
However, even though people may not contribute greatly to the world, if we receive help from other people, however insignificant, they should not be forgotten. Forgetting them is like having a thorn in our feet. There will be constant pain from the thorn, similarly, the inner voice will constantly prick us from the inside until we remember and are grateful. We sit on a patch of grass and dream about big things without remembering to thank that patch of grass for giving us a comfortable place to sit. Similarly, it is through the support and help of others, directly or indirectly, we are here today able to enjoy life.
Life is full of positives and negatives. This is God’s design. People like to chase only the positives and shun the negative. Unless we experience negative experiences in life, we cannot truly appreciate the positive experiences of life. For example, those who lack money truly know the value of money. Failure is not a negative experience. It is a stepping stone. Our greatness lies in trying, achieving a result is secondary. The world applauds achievements forgetting the efforts that are behind them. Only the one putting in the effort knows the struggle it takes.
Human life is very valuable. Through awareness, we should guide our thoughts and emotions and the direction in which we take our lives should be based on knowing how to discriminate between good and bad, positive and negative. For this, we should accept and experience both the positive and negative aspects of life. This makes us whole and happy.
Blessings to all
Swami Ponnurangam
June 19, 2019
Everything is God’s design. We should be happy with whatever we have. When we emerge from the womb, the face is pointed down towards the ground and the fists are clenched as if to say we are determined to achieve something in the world. When we die, our hands are empty and open, and our face looks towards the sky as if we have resigned ourselves to the inevitability of death.
In between birth and death, people are very different. Like different plants and trees, people differ in their capabilities, intelligence, and potential. Some are like very valuable trees. They include scientists, doctors, poets, writers, thinkers, and those who give good advice to people and advise them about the future. These people will be remembered as long as the world remains in existence. The rest are like blades of grass and flowers. They are quickly forgotten.
However, even though people may not contribute greatly to the world, if we receive help from other people, however insignificant, they should not be forgotten. Forgetting them is like having a thorn in our feet. There will be constant pain from the thorn, similarly, the inner voice will constantly prick us from the inside until we remember and are grateful. We sit on a patch of grass and dream about big things without remembering to thank that patch of grass for giving us a comfortable place to sit. Similarly, it is through the support and help of others, directly or indirectly, we are here today able to enjoy life.
Life is full of positives and negatives. This is God’s design. People like to chase only the positives and shun the negative. Unless we experience negative experiences in life, we cannot truly appreciate the positive experiences of life. For example, those who lack money truly know the value of money. Failure is not a negative experience. It is a stepping stone. Our greatness lies in trying, achieving a result is secondary. The world applauds achievements forgetting the efforts that are behind them. Only the one putting in the effort knows the struggle it takes.
Human life is very valuable. Through awareness, we should guide our thoughts and emotions and the direction in which we take our lives should be based on knowing how to discriminate between good and bad, positive and negative. For this, we should accept and experience both the positive and negative aspects of life. This makes us whole and happy.
Blessings to all
Swami Ponnurangam
June 19, 2019
