Life is a Rubric.

Life is a teacher and its very own rubric.? I was born and raised in a very simple, middle class Indian family where the man carries the weight of the family’s needs and they learn to live with what they have.? The first lesson life taught me is to be thankful for what you have and sometimes be thankful for what you do not have.? There was never enough money for necessities which were extravagances considering our financial situation.? Me and my sister walked kilometers together and changed buses to reach school and back carrying our heavy school bags on our petit shoulders.? Painful as much as it was, we held hands, talked, laughed, joked and sometimes fought.? The penny dropped very early in our lives and we were determined to make the best of what life has to offer.? Somewhere deep within there was this rebel in me that saw life to be unfair and partial.? I soon realized that the only way to channel that power is to invest in learning to communicate well while my sister decided to get scholarly.? Long story short, It paid off over time, with both of us financially better off, supporting our large families here and our aging ones back home.? Life is indeed an amazing teacher. ?

Here are some key lessons I learnt.

Rebels need channels and not confrontation.

I found my purpose and ways fairly quickly.? Circumstances aren’t foes always but a revealer of opportunities.? Confrontation of the rebel in me did not help but did the opposite, I slipped further back to the depths of rebellion.? Everyone pointed out my dark side, labeled me rather than my behavior and did little to understand the motive.? Conversations to channel that into areas that resonate with me alone worked and this benevolence came outside of my family circle.? The universe always presents compassionate and understanding people who bear the torch for you and selflessly stay invested in your growth. ?

3 mirrors and 1 windshield for the road

Have you often wondered why every automobile has 3 mirrors to assist you to drive forward?? The story is to keep your eyes on the road ahead while glimpsing into the mirror to see how far you have come.? My past was once a burden, but soon turned out to be a library of wisdom.? Dwelling does not help, but examining the behavior, actions and results are your coordinates to get you to stay on course. ?

Gift of forgetfulness

Carrying guilt, shame and the scars of the past does no good at all.? They are simply toxic weights that slow down the pilgrim’s progress.? I have hurt people and been hurt by many and this is reality and a foundation truth that needs acceptance before redressal.? I am gifted to forget the hurtfulness of the previous day before the sun is up the next.? I intentionally extricate myself from the harm that these events cause in my journey of life.? I seek healing thorough seeking forgiveness and forgiving those who have hurt me.? It is a blessing to “travel light” and the quicker you see the purpose fulfilling in your life.

Give for you were given.

Life is never about “what is in it for me”.? The universe was not made keeping me in mind but the whole.? Did I have a choice of being born? Or to whom I was born? Or when? Everyone has been given the right to life and thus the right to live.? I am to be pitied should I take refuge in believing that the world has been cruel to me and took everything away from me.? Well, nothing honestly stays for ever does it?? In this small life with added years, imagine the freedom of charity and love for others.? I become an advocate of generosity and gave without expecting anything in return.? Sooner than I could imagine, God pays back in measures that I cannot behold.? This principle is the most liberating principle of life.? This leaves us replenished with all that we need to accomplish the purposes we set out to achieve.?

Finally, be grateful for everything. ?

Life rewards you with all that you need to live.? Being content is a reality check to audit your inventory and see you are perhaps in the top percentile of those who have a roof, clothes to wear and food to eat.? Thankfulness keeps you from harms way.? Greed is checked and life is liberal.? Joys are found in the small things first and we do not burn out pursuing evasive dreams.? Being grateful is synonymous to being full.? Simplicity unburdens our life and provides us with time, health and space to do what is important and not what is aspired. ?