Life flows incessantly in the tide of time. New buds blossom into flowers spreading their fragrance and beauty from time to time and disappear. This is exactly how life moves in tandem with time developing and enhancing abilities until the journey ends eventually. Many years come and go between the start and end of life. New Year in true perspective is the celebration of invigorating our life with new resolutions, dreams, hopes, and enthusiasm. There is always a joy associated with new beginnings and that is propelled by a renewed enthusiasm. This gives an opportunity to forget unfulfilled dreams and failures and motivates you towards positivity and accomplishments.
New Year brings the treasure of learning from the past, a plan of action for the present, and hope for the future. This puts us on the path for doing something great, becoming someone you have always aspired to be and to achieve something of true substance. So, in the happy and invigorating ambiance of New Year, we should do something that provides a chance for our life to bloom in the right direction, our latent capabilities be brought forth and we can move on the path for fulfillment. This requires us to understand the value of time and refine our personality by grooming our innate talents.
Nature has given two precious boons to mankind – time and ability. There has been no discrimination of any kind. Time is provided equally to everyone. Though the abilities might differ from person to person, all of them have it in one form or the other. It totally is dependent on each individual how he utilizes his abilities, strives to enhance them and channelizes them in the right path. The first condition to optimal utilization of time and abilities is – to live in the present. Man does not want to live in the present, he does not want mold himself to the circumstances because of which he is unable to make use of his abilities and hone them further.
All the intoxicating drugs that have been discovered till now have been designed to escape from the present. Using them will only be a futile attempt to close your eyes to the challenge in front of you. When you work with complete dedication, put your best foot forward, and are ready for all the struggle it takes to face the challenge, you have to be most alert and conscious. In this state of readiness, even your abilities will be doubly efficient. It is unfortunate that our natural response is to turn away from problems. It is indeed easy to live to be unconscious. Being unconscious can be of two types – internal and external. When you fall unconscious under the effect of drugs, the body is inert outside and the consciousness (chetana) becomes inert inside. Externally, activities are impeded and internally, your abilities get weakened.
Doctors and physicians can bring your body back into a conscious state. But your chetana can be awakened only when you live in the present. A large chunk of our energies is focused in reminiscing the memories of the past and planning for the future. Slowly our present slips away from our hands and becomes past that comes back to haunt us. We are left with disappointment and restlessness at the end of the year. The qualities to develop if you want to live in the present are – creativity, focus, utilization of abilities, and constant awareness.
Our inner being (antaratma) falls silent in the presence of the noise of our incessant thoughts. The melody of life is disrupted. When the brain is continuously contemplating about past or future, the energies are not just getting diverted but scattered. If we learn to live in the present, our mental energies are prevented from depleting. When an individual learns to live in the present, consciously and with total awareness, then this improves his ability to focus. Even ordinary work done with elevated levels of focus is extraordinary and beautiful. Excellence is perceived in every bit of that work. Expertise and talent go hand in hand inspiring and enhancing each other. Creativity surges forth in the presence of these qualities.
In addition to all these, when one practices to live in the present, his extrasensory perceptions also begin to develop. The emotional and mental psyche of the individual gets so refined that he begins to perceive the events of the future. This ability makes him realize the truths of life and helps plan his life goals in a realistic manner.
It is true that eternity is hidden in a single moment and the universe is present in an atom. When we presume that the atom is insignificant and ignore it, we run the risk of losing the universe. Similarly, anyone who ignores the moment will end up losing his life. Hence, it is not wise to misuse time. New Year is a time for inspiration – to live each and every moment more fully and meaningfully; to enhance talents and improve the quality of life. This is one such possibility that gets activated when we realize its importance and is accomplished when we work for it. If we can successfully convert this possibility into a reality, trust me that this New Year will open new doors of opportunities and accomplishments. The first sunrise of the New Year will not only fill light outside but also within you. I urge you to invite this illumination with your resolution for sustained efforts to use your time and abilities to carve a great future.
Source: Akandh Jyoti Magazine