My Reflection and Learnings

A very eventful year ends and opens the path for another year - new hopes and dreams and an opportunity to both reflect on the year that passed and to build a new focus for our lives!

As I took some time to reflect on my past year – what I did, where I failed, what I achieved and what I learnt, I also took some time to identify three specific learnings that life taught me as I witnessed the pandemic and the changes that happened around me. Here are those three powerful learning’s, that I identified to focus more as the new year unfolds!

1.    The Power to Improve: When we get into problems and challenges in this uncertain world, the easiest way out is to find a reason to blame others for our problems. The fact is even if there are others who may be partially responsible for some actions or outcomes, our problems are due to our own attitude, behavior, and perceptions we have. Therefore, it is important to direct our focus and energies to reflect on our attitude, behaviors, and perceptions. If we can get others to cooperate with us, that is a bonus. Improvement is not something we can always guarantee from others, but it is something we can focus and have full control when it comes to us. Just like we wait patiently for a running train to pass by in order to cross the railway tracks, it is important to be patient, so that negativity does not shadow our thoughts and actions. There may be a lot of things we cannot change or control and therefore, it is better not to spend time worrying about those. Focusing our attention on positive energies and efforts which can do us maximum good, is one way we can channelize ourselves in capitalizing on many newer and creative ways of doing things. These are within our control and help us improve!

2.    Looking forward: For us to focus on future, we need to have something to look forward to. Something that may be simple, serious, silly, or profound but enticing. Reflecting on why it is important to overcome a challenge before us and having a good reason motivates us better. How do we create value? What is something we always wanted to do? Craving out time and a path to follow our aspirations gives us a clear reason to look forward. Trying to see connection of many of our activities to smaller steps towards a bigger aspiration we have will enable us to work through each challenge that come our way. The more we crystalize the path, the higher our levels of motivation and energy will be. Believing in ourselves and giving ourselves a specific, compelling destination and progressing in that path will inspire and excite us in our journey forward in life.

3.    Having a Purpose: Life is like a wave - full of ups and downs but teaches us great lessons. While we may be excited with happy moments, we also tend to be angry, frustrated, or sad when things are not working fine for us. Responding with a renewed commitment to diligence and excellence helps us to connect in positive ways to situations and people around us. Channelizing our focus toward a positive purpose helps us to walk the path of a demanding and yet rewarding effort of creating value. Visualizing every troubling situation as a potential for excellence and doing good things to make it happen will give us great happiness and satisfaction!

 I am personally determined to practice the above and make a positive impact in everything I do! What may be some of your learnings that you want to take forward in the new year?

Wishes and Prayers for a healthy, positive, happy, and prosperous New Year to all!