Life Comes in Chapters!

This lockdown has given us a lot of time. However, we all have a habit of creating a routine and stick to it. Routines are good, it help us to reach a goal, However not everyone is planned. It is life, it comes with it's own settings, you do your part or not, it just goes on. Life eventually comes in chapters, it starts the new one, as soon the old is done!

PC: Vinayak Phadatare.

Uncertainty, is the key trait of life. Life loves uncertainty. Whatever you buy, it comes along with the package. Whenever you say, you plan your life, you are lying. You could never plan your life. However you can always be prepared for it. That's why every chapter of life leaves you with some experiences and lots of memories. They are your chance at life to be prepared. Learn it. Absorb it.

New world will not be the same as old. It never was the case either. You open your previous chapters, none were the same as old.

So does it mean, we wait for how these chapters to unfold? The answer is No!

It is indeed very unpredictable to make plans in life, However we have to workout the preparedness, by a process of introspection and retrospection. Every chapter leaves experiences and memories with us. We don't always get to choose what's next, but we can definitely choose what counts as meaningful to us.

Retrospect yourself
This lockdown time have has given us an opportunity to take a break, to turn around and to look back and see what we have gained in this course. We flip over those chapters which are closed or say gone and retrospect. Those chapters are filled with memories. Memories of being loved, being joyous, tender feelings, being jealous, hatred or may anger, feeling of disgust, helplessness, pride, achievement, success, surprise and self attention. Every chapter is dominated by some feelings. Take break and listen to them. Every chapter has given you a strength and also pointed a weakness. Take a note.

Introspect yourself
All you need to do is create a little more space. By adding just a little time each day for self-reflection and soul digging you'll be on your way towards building a wealth of understanding about yourself. The path isn't rugged or treacherous, but it does take work. Especially, if you've spent your entire life wrapped up in seeking behavior, such as, only acting for external rewards, like money, wealth or power. A little more space is all you need to start laying the foundation.

Now that you've created this space for yourself. Make sure it's very peaceful and relaxing for you. If it helps take a few deep breaths. Really try to follow your breath, in and out. Let the sensations lull you into a relax state. Once you're there now comes the fun part, the exploration.
Ask Deep Open Ended Questions to yourself. The questions can be.

What is my deepest passion?
What sets my soul on fire?
If I had all the money in the world how would I spend my time?
What do I love most about myself?
What are my deepest values?

See What Comes Up With No Judgement
Make sure you hold your heart and mind wide open to any potentials that may arise. If this is one of your first times doing this you may be shocked or amused with what you find. Remember, nothing is to outlandish, don't judge whatever comes out. It's all a part of you.

“Knowing others is intelligence; knowing yourself is true wisdom. Mastering others is strength; mastering yourself is true power. If you realize that you have enough, you are truly rich.”

Identify your strengths and weaknesses
You need to identify the key things which went well and fits well with you. Retrospection and introspection help you nourish the thoughts. You may never know whats next, but you can be prepared as well. Just like looking back at a Math exam you wrote or a sales pitch that totally went down the drain, or that biology record which is proof of how amazing your drawing skills are, or that code which you wrote with zero defects in it, can only help you get better at what you do- no matter how good or bad you are at it- whether you're a student or an employee or employer or any damn thing- as long as you're human, and you have a desire to improve. Identify your strengths and weaknesses. These can be of two category - Key character strength and key skill sets.

Once you start practicing this, you will be prepared for every life's chapter!

If you believe that you can never plan for life, you only be prepared for new chapters, what else you could do. You, however have one thing in your hand - The moment. Seek pleasure in moments you have in hand.

Seek Pleasures
Life comes with it's own settings, you like it or not, Whereas 'The Pleasure' manifests itself. The way we persuasive a pleasure is totally on us. Consider a range of options for where meaning of pleasure might lie for us. It could be your: love, family, work, friendship, culture, politics, nature and philosophy. Choose the one, which connects you best and immerse yourself in it, Soon you'll start creating memories. Those memories are the key of how you will deal with next chapter of life.