“Let me not pray to be sheltered from dangers,
but to be fearless in facing them.
Let me not beg for the stilling of my pain,
but for the heart to conquer it.
Let me not look for allies in life’s battlefield,
but to my own strength.
Let me not crave in anxious fear to be saved,
but hope for the patience to win my freedom.
Grant that I may not be a coward,
feeling Your mercy in my success alone;
But let me find the grasp of Your hand in my failure.”
—– Rabindranath Tagore
After being an outgoing person throughout my school, I suddenly turned into an introvert and started to withdraw from people. Knowingly or unknowingly, I started to fear performing on stage and standing in front of people. I couldn’t realize then but all my decisions had a major contribution of this fear. It wouldn’t allow me grow!!
And as Les Brown says,”When you don’t grow, you can’t be your best; and when you can’t be your best, you can’t be happy”. So, I was also unhappy somewhere deep in my heart, not knowing how to deal with the fear. In fact, I felt it was a part of my essential tremor problem. Even doctors had warned me that it would be almost impossible for me to face people. I didn’t have much trouble sitting and speaking but when it came to standing before people, the very thought would give shoc ks that I couldn’t control. I had tried scores of times only to fail miserably each time I wanted to stand and speak.
Later on, I realized that, to an extent, the problem is there with everyone. To my amazement, I found out that today, one of the greatest fears in the world is the ‘fear of public speaking’. And there are training centers to make people a better and more c0nfident speaker.
Knowing this, I started looking out for the institutes training people at public speaking. At last, I came across one that really trained people for speaking on stage and not only for improving their English. It charged students far more than most other institutes. I was again in dilemma – whether to join it or not!
Then I asked myself – Sunny, do you really need it or not? The reply was – YES! I again asked the same question – Do I need this? And again I got the same reply – Yes, this is the biggest roadblock in achieving my goals! Henceforth, I enrolled for the course.
For the past 6-7 months, it has taken great effort to be able to gain confidence and start coming on stage. But it has paid – I felt it when I delivered my speech in front of hundreds of audience. I was so happy after delivering the speech.
I still remember those arguments with everyone around clarifying all their doubts and queries for joining a course where you are taught to speak! I still remember those hours of speech practices I would do standing before the mirror. And I still remember the continuous practices where every moment only one thought came to my mind – I can, and I have to!
At last, recently, on 5th February, when I delivered the speech in front of hundreds of audience, I felt so so so free. Well, I couldn’t win any award, though.
In spite of this, I felt so great – those 2 minutes were the best 2 minutes for me, till date. The scene from the stage was so much like the picture I would visualize everyday. It was as if A DREAM HAS COME TRUE!!
Have you ever done something you earlier felt you will never be able to? Have you felt the joy of a dream coming true?
I came across the name in a newspaper and it kinda had my attention. I was wondering why the name is so – until I watched the movie.
The movie is about Christy Brown, a person born with cerebral palsy, and having no body part but his LEFT FOOT under control – that’s why it has this name!
Thank God the movie doesn’t start with any melodrama but in the library of a building where Christy has been brought to be presented with an award.
The movie reveals how Christy, in spite of his disability, was not kept in shut doors; but was made to be in the world playing outdoor games and doing all sorts of mischievous tasks along with his friends. We also get to watch the wrath of Christy at various occasions.
My left foot doesn’t display too many of mournful scenes. Rather, you can have moments of laughter while being encouraged by every accomplishment the protagonist makes. It’s inspiring to learn that though Christy made a late start, and only with one foot, he successfully turns himself into a writer and painter. He wanted to make something of himself, which he actually does.
Further, Christy never wants anyone to feel sorry for him. It always turned me emotional watching Christy show his emotions, be it through his words, paintings or through his actions.
Through this movie, we also get to know that Christy Brown was not all good. He was a drunkard and smoker. He even gets attached to a nurse coming to do speech therapy. But later he gets to know about her engagement and this again made Christy very angry. But, it ends good with Christy getting the love of life – something he too had been craving for as we all do.
Truly speaking, it was a brilliant job done by the two actors – acting for Christy as a child and as an adult.
Now, for good or bad, My Left Foot is definitely a complete movie revealing every aspect of Christy Brown’s life while inspiring us through the same.
Have you watched the flick? If not, are you planning to?
Paulo Coelho did it; Anthony Robbins did it; Henry Ford, Bill Gates Abraham Lincoln and the list goes on with the names of all the individuals who shaped their destiny and attained what they wanted to. They came up from the worst life situations, making themselves examples for the world to learn from.
Would I or you have ever believed, seeing them in their bad days, they would ever do something of the kind they actually did? Dilapidated, as they always were in their yester-years; I, personally would have never thought they would turn themselves into what they have now become.
Knowing about these people has definitely helped me a lot to stop being judgemental about individuals and form opinions. And now, whenever I see anyone doing this, I consider it ‘so stupid’. You never know what moment could become the turning point of a person’s life.
Let’s give them time.
Might be, a beggar today, transforms himself or herself into a millionaire tomorrow. Might be, a stupid fellow transforms into an individual of supreme intelligence. It’s only a matter of time – of the moment they realize what they have to become or do – just an incident or a word – that clicks.
How do you think about others? Do you form opinions?
Though late, I did it! Had been planning for long…. Wanted to accomplish in October …..then in November!! But couldn’t attain it during those times for some reason or other. Reasons are always there! Ufff!!! Tired of them! U can know them here. 
Recalling the moment when I had set the goal, it appeared so massive at that moment. Well, first of all I should accept I was so afraid even to set a goal – to fail! But then, at last, I gathered all my courage and dared to set up the goal. I feel we all have this fear and it requires good amount of strength to beat this fear.
Finally, in December, at the end of the year, I did it!!! I could reach this goal only because I had one. Else, I can’t guess, for how many days I would have procrastinated. Sometimes taking pain is worth.
And I tell you, this feeling – of reaching a goal – is really great. Amazing!! Can’t be described in words!!! I plan to now savour the moment thinking that this will always help me to take pain when I again head on towards a goal and feel like giving up.
Damnit!!! My procrastination habit has once again put me into a fix – after waiting for so long, I didn’t fill up the form. And the last date is gone!!!
This is the worst result I could ever imagine. Also, I’ve not yet reached 50 blog posts – a deadline I had to reach by 30th November.
It leaves me ashamed of myself…. DEMOTIVATED…..HUHH!!!
So I decided to know more about this thing. (What an idea!) And I’m amazed as well as happy to know that I’m not alone. According to Psychology Today, almost 20% people find themselves under the category of chronic procrastinators – they are affected by this habit in every sphere of life.(Thank God, I’m a bit better than them!)
You’ll get around it. You’ll start the very next hour… or the next minute itself. You’ll learn how to play an instrument, or a foreign language. You have also decided to start writing an article…. for your blog.
But before you start, maybe you can check the Facebook account. Or maybe your mailbox. It’ll only take a few moments. Worse though, probably you could check out the web for some more information as maybe, your knowledge won’t suffice for the article. Is that all? Probably!
Or, numerous other reasons I’ve left!!! We all make new resolutions every year to put an end to this habit. We all know we could be far more productive. We know there’s a way out. We also know it takes just a bit of effort and nothing will remain the mess they are. Life will get aligned and far easier to deal with. But who cares?
Until such things happen – missing out the date or the appointment – that could have changed your future – that you always wanted to take up.
And then, we realize!!! But it’s late! It’s better late than never. I feel the proverb has been brought about for us only – at least the realization has come.
And I was excited to learn that it’s not a congenital disease (something I felt earlier) and is learnt over time. Now when procrastination is learnt, it can also be unlearned. Is it so?
That’s true!!! I, and everybody can erase this habit from their life to live a far more productive life.
Procrastination is a problem of self-regulation and self-control. Still, many of us give more emphasis to our comfort than to the realization. Anyways, New Year’s approaching and I’ve decided!
So, first why? Why do I procrastinate?
There are various reasons, a few of which could be:
Fear of failure: As far my writing is concerned, I procrastinate because I feel what I’m planning to write about isn’t going to work well. Or when I fear it as a stupid topic to go for. In short, because I fear failure. This could be applicable in other times as well.
Problem of perfectionists: These perfectionists expect too much of themselves and have a fear whether or whether not they will reach the heights they’ve set out for themselves. Probably, I’m one among them.
Moreover, excuses like “I’m not in a mood to” or “lt’s not the right time” are the best friends of procrastinators. Unfortunately, once they don’t have the right mood, they never get it right.
Few strategies to overcome procrastination:
There are a few things procrastinators must do if they are willing to get procrastinate this habit:
Understand the importance of NOW. We have to understand what we can do now – immediately! What action can I take now that will move me closer to my goal? Do something. Maybe anything! And this can break your pattern of procrastination. Once on with the first step, it’s always easy to keep moving – you remember Newton’s law of motion?
Deal with small rocks, the Everest will be dealt on its own. Breaking a huge task into small bits helps very much. If I look at the Mount Everest, it might put me off. But focusing on small sections of mountains, it seems possible. I’ve experienced this strategy proves fruitful at taking care of any overwhelming situation. And here too, it’ll work!
Act! And finally, the action part. Most of us know what we’ve to do. Life’s not in knowing what to do. Rather in doing what we know. So we’ve to start acting.
There are big costs to procrastination. You know them better!!!
Health is one. Procrastinating people have been found to have evidences of bad immune systems. Insomnia is also a common health defect in procrastinators.
Moreover, this tendency is an enemy of relationships. It shifts the burden of responsibilities on others around you, making things bitter.
But it can always get better as you go out to try overcoming procrastination.
What do you think? Are you a procrastinator? Has the habit ever caused any harm to you? Do you plan to change?
Somebody said that it couldn’t be done,
But he with a chuckle replied
That “maybe it couldn’t,” but he would be one
Who wouldn’t say so till he’d tried.
So he buckled right in with the trace of a grin
On his face. If he worried he hid it.
He started to sing as he tackled the thing
That couldn’t be done, and he did it.
Somebody scoffed: “Oh, you’ll never do that;
At least no one ever has done it”;
But he took off his coat and he took off his hat,
And the first thing we knew he’d begun it.
With a lift of his chin and a bit of a grin,
Without any doubting or quiddit,
He started to sing as he tackled the thing
That couldn’t be done, and he did it.
There are thousands to tell you it cannot be done,
There are thousands to prophesy failure;
There are thousands to point out to you, one by one,
The dangers that wait to assail you.
But just buckle in with a bit of a grin,
Just take off your coat and go to it;
Just start to sing as you tackle the thing
That “cannot be done,” and you’ll do it.
— by Edgar Guest.
Just came across this poem over the net, and felt it to be a very nice & inspiring. What do you think?
Why I couldn’t see u,
When all these times I was waiting for you;
You crossed me a million times,
I crossed u a million times,
Still I couldn’t see you,
Or maybe I didn’t recognize you.
Now it’s all repentance to do
O damn!!! Why I couldn’t see you? 
It’s an expression of sadness when, knowingly or unknowingly, an important task that you had always waited for, slips of your hand.
Modern clothes! Trendy wears!! Is there nothing else in this world???
HUHHH!!!
Today morning, I was again kicked for the same thing – not wearing proper dress!!! So nice, cool morning – it was and sadly, I couldn’t enjoy it for long.
Yes, I frequently get to hear those kind of words – “What are you wearing?”,”Is it proper to wear this?”,”Don’t you have something better?”…something else?” And a lot more.
So, I feel I have a problem! I don’t know why but I can’t understand much about these wearing items. I just am unable to know what is good to wear and what is not. Also I need garments that are quick to get in, which is not according to the trend these days – I think. I just pick out whatever seems ‘economical’ and ‘very comfortable’.
With such choice I keep wearing garments they say are – NOT GOOD….. OBSOLETE……. IMPROPER….. can’t remember what more. At times I even get high after listening to these words. But then I bring myself down telling – might be they are right!!!
However, it continues hammering in my mind. “Why should I wear something somebody else has worn to show that it’s trendy?” it might fit his body, his style, his thinking, his everything but not mine. Should I still prefer the same thing?
At times, I win the war with my thoughts and go for the comfortable one. Nevertheless, on other occasions, I have to give up and wear according to the TERENNND!!!
How do you dress up? Have you ever faced similar fuss? Over wearing clothes???
