The Enlightened Pursuit of a "Perfect" Day: Lessons from the Bhagavad Gita (and My Dog)
Padmini Gopiram
Visionary HR leader adept at building high-performing teams and revolutionizing HR processes on a global platforms | Empowering People to change their lives and Searching for Brave Minds to Reimagine Healthcare!
We all have an idea of what a "perfect day" should look like, don't we? A pristine morning where the birds sing only your favorite song, coffee brewed to the exact temperature, and perhaps a flawless Instagram story to capture it all. In short, you expect life to unfold just as you’ve planned—because that’s what the universe owes you, right?
But here’s the thing: life’s idea of "perfect" doesn’t really consult your agenda. And this, my friend, is where the Bhagavad Gita comes in, with its extremely wise insights that might just save your day... or at least make you laugh at your misplaced expectations.
Bhagavad Gita: The "Ishvara's Joke" Moment
In the Bhagavad Gita, Lord Krishna offers one piece of advice that might make even your fussy morning seem like a serene meditation retreat. In Chapter 2, Verse 47, he says:
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“Your right is to perform your duty only, but never to its fruits. Let not the fruits of action be your motive, nor let your attachment be to inaction.”
In plain English: Do your best, forget about the results, and stop obsessing over how everything should turn out. This, of course, is the perfect antidote to a world obsessed with how things should be—whether it’s perfectly folded laundry or an entirely bug-free morning commute.
The "But I Want My Perfect Day" Moment
It's a typical Tuesday morning. You wake up, stretch out, and confidently plan a day that could easily be mistaken for a perfectly choreographed Netflix series—except it’s in real life. You see yourself drinking a smoothie, replying to emails with ease, and being on time for every meeting.
But then? The dog knocks the lamp with his wagging tail, your coffee doesn't brew as per your liking, and your email inbox is now overflowing like a chaotic river of responsibility. Not exactly the tranquil Gita-esque existence you envisioned, right?
This is when you can take a deep breath and think, "Hey, life is unfolding exactly as it should, even though I didn't sign up for a dog-wagging breaking scandal."
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Let go of what you think is supposed to happen and appreciate the mess in front of you. The Bhagavad Gita says, essentially, “Chill. This is part of the cosmic plan. It’s all good.”
Lessons from the Gita... And My Dog's Antics
If you’ve ever tried to control the chaos of life (or a dog), you’ll quickly realize that “control” is just a myth. And isn’t it so much more fun to embrace the unpredictability? Krishna’s message is a good reminder that letting go of rigid expectations and accepting life as it comes often leads to a lot more joy. For example, the other day, as my dog yowled in the corner, knocking over every single thing on the counter with his wagging tail, I realized: I can either stress about how the chaos is ruining my "perfect" morning, or I can take a moment to appreciate the pure, unfiltered entertainment in front of me.
To quote the Gita once more, this time from Chapter 18, Verse 66:
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“Abandon all attachment to the results of actions and be free. There is no greater happiness than to be free from all attachments.”
So, in other words, give up on the idea of perfect—whether it’s a perfect day, a perfect latte, or a perfect home. Instead, embrace your inner Krishna and learn to laugh at the unplanned moments. In fact, that’s where the magic happens!
The Takeaway: Laugh, Let Go, and Embrace the Unexpected
On the average day, happiness doesn’t lie in perfectly orchestrated plans. It’s about letting go of those plans and sincerely appreciating the randomness, the imperfections, and the sheer comedy of life as it unfolds. So next time your dog stages an impromptu performance with his wagging tail, or your email inbox feels like a drama series, just remember:
The Bhagavad Gita had it right all along. The world might not be as perfect as your Pinterest board, but it’s absolutely perfect in its unpredictability.
And if all else fails, just laugh—Krishna would, and so should you.
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3 周A well thought out explanation with a great example too. All in all Sarvam Shri Krishnaarpanamasthu. This is what I say before clicking "Send" on any email, report, etc.