LESSON 11 – Comfort Zone Is Your Enemy:
As Louise Hay wisely says, “You’ve been criticizing yourself for years, and it hasn’t worked. Try approving of yourself and see what happens.” Growth lies outside our comfort zones, where we face challenges, take risks, and embrace new experiences. Embrace discomfort as a catalyst for personal development, pushing the boundaries of what you thought possible.
LESSON 12 – Be The Early Bird:
Waking up in Brahma Mahurat enables us to receive the vibes from saints and we can connect with our real self in a more powerful way. This is the spiritual significance of waking up early. Indian sportspeople like Hima Das, the sprinter, start their day with focused training during the calm and fresh hours of the morning. American basketball legend, Kobe Bryant says that he became the best basketball player in his school by just getting up early and starting the practice 2 hours earlier than everybody else.
LESSON 13 – Starting Is The Only Way To Make Progress:
The first step is worth a thousand miles. Lao Tzu says, “The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step”. When we commit to taking the first step and then focus on one step at a time, the journey begins to feel easier incrementally. Taking that first step towards our dreams is crucial. Indian cricketer, Virat Kohli, began his journey as a young boy with a dream to represent India, and through hard work and dedication, he became one of the world’s best batsmen.
LESSON 14 – Live In The Present Moment:
Most people in the world are either angry about the past or anxious about the future. The Bhagavad Gita teaches the art of mindfulness and living in the present. Our mentor teaches us that the moment right now is the real gift from God, that’s why it’s called Present. The present moment has all the power in it. The only way we can achieve great heights is by starting now. Focusing in the present moment releases the stress, and anxiety about the unknown.
LESSON 15 – Being Nice To People:
Compassion creates a positive impact on people around us. Indian sportspeople like Rahul Dravid, the cricketing legend known as “The Gentleman,” exemplify this virtue, winning hearts both on and off the field through their genuine kindness.
Our mentor says, “think in terms of others”. This shifts our energy and focus from “what’s in it for me” to “how can I serve”.
This change in perspective is at the heart of inspiring leadership. Great leaders always think about the betterment of people and not about their own interest. They consider their jobs, an opportunity to serve, this is the reason they don’t have to exert their title/position to get something done, people feel deep inspiration to do the work for these leaders.
LESSON 16 – Set Boundaries:
Boundaries are essential for maintaining self-respect and personal well-being. setting boundaries is crucial for our success in life as it allows us to focus on our goals, manage our time effectively, maintain a healthy work-life balance, reduce stress, nurture healthy relationships, and foster personal growth and self-respect. By communicating our boundaries assertively and sticking to them, we pave the way for a more fulfilling and successful life journey. Boundaries provide a buffer against stress. By saying “no” to things that overwhelm us or do not align with our values, we reduce unnecessary stress and create a sense of ease over our lives. Sports champions like PV Sindhu set healthy boundaries to maintain their personal well-being and manage the demands of their careers.
LESSON 17 – Work-Life Balance:
Balancing work and personal life is essential for overall well-being. Indian sportspeople like M.C. Mary Kom, the boxer, effectively manage their professional commitments while prioritizing family time and personal growth. Setting boundaries between work and personal life is crucial for maintaining a healthy balance. It helps prevent burnout and ensures that we have time for our family, hobbies, and our spiritual growth, leading to greater overall satisfaction and well-being. We focus so much on making a living, that we forget to make a life. The spiritual aspect of our life focusses on building a meaningful life with a purpose.
LESSON 18 – Life Is Not Fair:
Our mentor says, “Life may not be fair, but what God has given us is enough,” this reminds us to find contentment and gratitude with what we have, despite the challenges and inequalities we may face in life. It emphasizes the importance of recognizing and appreciating the blessings and opportunities that come our way. Life is unpredictable, and circumstances may not always align with our desires or expectations. However, by acknowledging the gifts and abilities we possess, we can make the most of what we have and create a fulfilling life.
Gratitude plays a significant role in embracing this perspective. Instead of dwelling on what we lack, focusing on what we have allows us to find joy and peace in the present moment. Gratefulness fosters a positive mindset, leading to better mental well-being and overall satisfaction.
Contentment and gratitude are virtues that lead to inner peace and spiritual growth. By embracing the notion that what God has given us is enough, we align ourselves with these principles and find solace in knowing that we are on a meaningful journey, regardless of life’s fairness or challenges.
LESSON 19 – You Are Stronger Than You Think:
Srimad Bhagawat Geeta emphasizes the strength of the Self and the power of self-realization. It encourages us to transcend self-imposed limitations and embrace our true potential.
By tapping into our inner strength and embracing challenges with a positive mindset, we can lead fulfilling lives, achieve our aspirations, and make a positive impact on ourselves and to the world as well. Remembering this simple yet profound truth empowers us to face life’s uncertainties with confidence, determination, and the knowledge that we are capable of more than we may realize.
Often, when faced with difficult situations or obstacles, we may doubt our capabilities and feel overwhelmed. However, this statement from our mentor encourages us to look within ourselves and recognize that we possess strength and courage that can guide us through tough times. Indian athletes like Hima Das overcame adversity and self-doubt, demonstrating resilience and strength in their pursuit of excellence.
LESSON 20 – All Problems Have Solutions:
Our mentor says that the world is not a culmination of random events, there is a purpose to the universe. A spiritual teacher encourages us to shift our perception of challenges. Instead of viewing them as insurmountable obstacles, we can see them as steppingstones on the path to spiritual evolution. Continuous spiritual journey enables us to trust in a higher power or divine order. From this perspective, challenges are part of a larger cosmic plan that guides us toward self-discovery and alignment with our true purpose. This trust allows us to approach problems with faith and surrender.
LESSON 21 – Some People Don’t Want You To Succeed:
In our pursuit to our worldly goals, we may experience at times that our families and friends aren’t as supportive as we need them to be. Our family wants us to be safe, which is why they stop us.
Family and society may have concerns about our choices. Facing opposition from loved ones is tough, but Indian sprinter, Dutee Chand, defied societal norms to pursue her passion, proving the importance of believing in oneself. We can apply the learnings from this blog while dealing with the family, but we need to realize that pursuing a worthy goal isn’t easy and it needs patience and persistence.
TO BE CONTINUED..
