A Dozen Truths That Help You Grow

(This post is a compilation of self help material from across the web and some books that I read lately)

Many a times while you look back, you see a lot of failures, rejections, disappointments and situations that you couldn't control. For such times, you need to have faith that things will work out. Because sometimes the truths you can’t change, end up changing you and helping you grow.

1. Accept what is, let go of what was and have faith in what will be.

Its crazy how you always end up in where you were destined to be. At first it may seem like you had to go through a series of compromises or heartbreaks and land up where you never wanted to. Remember, many times when things are falling apart, they are actually falling into place. And as the popular saying goes: whatever is happening to you right now is a result of the choices you made in the past.

2. Not until you are lost in this world can you begin to find your true self.

Instead of awaiting bigger pleasures, enjoy the little treasures that each day brings to you. If you decide to be happy, no one can stop you from doing so. Consistent resistance shall land you into nowhere. Your heart is free, have the courage to follow it.

3. It’s usually the deepest pain which empowers you to grow to your full potential.

Not until you encounter pain, you realize the worth of happiness. Not until you lose anything, you realize it importance. But remember, gain from the pain, learn from it and release it.  You cannot change what you refuse to confront. However, the contrary is also true - "Pain does not make you stronger, but you eventually get used to it."

4. The key to blend with people is to be like them.

Not everyone thinks the way you think, knows the things you know, believes the things you believe, nor acts the way you would act. Remember this and you will go a long way in getting along with people.

5. One of the greatest freedoms is truly not caring what everyone else thinks of you.

Please all and you please none. You cannot make everyone happy at the same time. As long as you are worried about what others think of you, you are owned by them. Only when you require no approval from outside yourself, can you own yourself. And remember the popular pun- "लोग हमारे बारे में क्या सोचते हैं अगर ये भी हम सोचेंगे तो फिर लोग क्या सोचेंगे" (If we wonder what people think of us, then what is left for the people to think!).

6. If it is so, it cannot be otherwise.

The more you can adapt to the situations in life, the more powerful your highs will be, and the more quickly you’ll be able to bounce back from the lows in your life. Put most simply: being at peace means being in a state of complete acceptance of all that is, right here, right now.

7. You have to take care of yourself first.

"You yourself as much as anybody in the entire universe, deserve your love and affection" - Gautam Buddha.

Before befriending others, become your own friend. Before correcting others, you have to correct yourself. Before making others happy, you have to make yourself happy. It’s not called selfishness, it’s called personal development. Once you balance yourself, only then can you balance the world around you.

8. If you concentrate on what you don’t have, you will never have enough.

Not getting what you want is sometimes a wonderful stroke of good luck, because it forces you reevaluate things, opening new doors to opportunities and information you would have otherwise overlooked. Abundance is not about how much you have, it’s how you feel about what you have.

9. Yes, you have failed in the past.

If you are in an acceptance mode with whatever you encounter, you will be more satisfied than being otherwise. Don’t judge yourself by your past, you don’t live there anymore. Just because you’re not where you want to be today doesn’t mean you won’t be there someday. Do what you can with what you have and where you are.

10. Everything is going to be alright; maybe not today, but eventually.

An anonymous quote on the web says- "Everything will be okay in the end. If its not okay, its not the end."

There are times when you are occupied with the feeling that everything is going wrong and will remain to stay the same for eternity. For once only, look at the underprivileged ones. Ain't you better? Keep reciting to yourself- "अंधेरों पर उजालो का असर बाकी है, सुबह होने में थोड़ी सी कसर अभी बाकि है" (The brightness is yet to overcome darkness, there is a little time left for the dawn to begin)

11. Laugh at yourself.

What can be more beautiful than bringing smile to someone's face at least once a day. It is easier to laugh at people, how about trying a healthy joke on oneself. Laughter is infectious, and even more than that, it is good for health. It is not a sin to be happy, and not a virtue to be sad. 

Lastly, as they say- "Smile a while and while you smile, the whole world smiles with you".

12. Nobody else can do it for you.

Keep doing what you know in your heart is right for YOU. Let your dreams be bigger than your fears and your actions louder than your words. Live by choice, not by chance. Make changes, not excuses. Be motivated, not manipulated. Work to excel, not compete. Choose to listen to your inner voice, not the jumbled opinions of everyone else. It’s your road, and yours alone. Others may walk it with you, but no one can walk it for you.