by C.V.Rajan

Created on: March 02, 2008

"WHAT is this life if full of care,
We have no time to stand and stare?"

The poet W H Davies' lament reflects in a nutshell the hopeless state to which human life has entangled itself in to. The more one hankers after materialism, goals and ambitions to be achieved in life, the more one feels the loss of inner peace.

Many of us do not even know that having peace of mind itself could be worthwhile goal in our life and we can work our way to attain it! Life essentially consists of certain ways and means within our control and certain happenings and circumstances beyond our control. By acting on those within our control, we can strive for leading a peaceful life. A spiritual and philosophical outlook is essential if we are keen to succeed in this effort.

Here are some quick tips for inner peace:

(1) AVOID COMPARISON WITH OTHERS:

Your life is your own. Your likes and dislikes, tastes, expectations and standards are your own. Your neighbor or your colleague need not be a bench mark for you to compare yourself or compete with. Their level of education, financial status, social status or spending pattern need not be yours.

Your father's unfulfilled dream of becoming an architect or your mother's aspiration to see you as a musician need not be yours, unless and until, you, on your own unbiased self-judgment think the same way.

(2) KNOW YOUR TRUE CAPABILITIES AND LIMITATIONS:

If you possess excellent Base ball skills within your local league, it need not mean you are competent enough to play for the national team. Compare yourself with better players and make a sincere judgment: "Do I really play or have the potential of playing to that level? Do I have the physical, psychological and financial resources to rise up to that level? Above all, is such a yearning worth the effort?"

Sheer positive thinking alone may not do wonders. In the scheme of nature, all are not endowed with same set of skills and resources. If you are capable of judging yourself correctly, you will be endowed with the peace of mind by not pursuing on something beyond your reach.

(3) NO ADDICTIONS PLEASE:

Never get addicted to anything: Be it alcohol, smoking, drugs, women, work, profession, money, fame or recognition. Moderation is the key to peaceful life. Eat moderately. Sleep moderately. Work moderately. Have sex moderately. Do not stretch yourself beyond limits. Simplify your life-style.

(4) LIVE WITHIN YOUR MEANS AND SAVE FOR THE FUTURE:

This is a time-tested and age-old wisdom which is unfortunately forgotten

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