Wahiduddin Khan's Blog, page 33

Ease after Hardship

There is no doubting the fact that failure in life usually results from the quest for immediate success. The word “short-cut” may be applicable to the world of roads and footpaths, but there are no short cuts in the struggles of life. Such is the order of nature. In this world just as ease always follows hardship, so fruitful results come only from arduous, painstaking processes.

Psychology of Success

The conviction that one’s goals are worthwhile, the observation of discipline with no contradiction between words and thoughts, cool thinking even in times of crisis—all these are qualities of mind and heart which determine success, and obviate failure in the wider field of life.

Unreliability

A single human weakness cannot be considered in isolation. It has to be looked upon as being representative of the entire personality. If an individual proves unreliable in one matter, he is likely to evince the same unreliability in other matters.

Stay Calm

The way to survive highly charged situations in life is by not letting oneself be inwardly affected by one’s outward situation; by suppressing one’s emotions and keeping one’s feelings under control.

Principled Person

A man of principle and character is always just. This predictability of character is maintained even when he has cause for complaint; when he has been treated unjustly by others.

Ignore initial hurt

One who does not bear with a small hurt from a foolish person will have to bear with great harm. Usually the best way of avoiding great harm from mischief-makers is to put up with initial hurt, for, if one does not, one will set off a chain reaction in which things will go from bad to worse. Instead of having to bear a relatively small hurt, one will be subjected to much greater suffering.

Big Bird of the Storm

‘The elephant walks on without being disturbed by barking dogs’. This is the best illustration of one who has the capacity for ‘big bird thinking’. Life is full of storms, full of barking, full of untoward situations. You have only two options: either to waste your time and energy by constantly stooping to reactionary behaviour or to ignore all undesirable situations and try to live like the elephant in the adage. Elephant-style living is the only successful way to live in this world.

Opening closed doors

For every closed door, there is always another which is open—but only to those who have the eyes to see it, and the courage to march through it.

Sincerity

Insincere behaviour behaviour is very easy to indulge in. One who is insincere is always ready to accede to the demands of the situation. You can easily understand what is in your interest and what is against it. In comparison sincerity is a difficult option. When you are a sincere person, you cannot afford to go against your conscience or moral norms. Sincerity invites you to ponder over the situation, to try to choose the best course of action, even if it is against your desires.

Save your minutes

If you can save your minutes, your hours will of themselves be saved. Taking care of the parts is just as good as taking care of the whole. This is because the whole is made up of parts.