5 Ripple by Ripple
It is our life and it
is tremendously precious. We are the real assets of us. Its value should grow. And
nobody can do anything unless we decide to do something with our being, our
future. Only our decision is decisive.
There are many people
whom we would like to change and regulate and improve. This is very desirable. However,
this is very difficult also.
We can tell people
they are wrong and they need to be changed for their benefits. We may be
absolutely right but they will not take it as a favor. They will take it as a
direct blow at their intelligence, judgment, pride and self-respect. They may
argue but they will never want to bring change in themselves. We may try to
persuade them with all logic but we will not be able to alter their opinions.
We have actually hurt their feelings. They may even start telling our faults to
us. They may say that we need to be changed first.
Actually they are
right. We cannot change every one around us. But we can change our self much
easily and we should.
Even from a purely
selfish standpoint, it is a lot more profitable than trying to improve others.
Confucius (a Chinese
philosopher) had understood this fact many centuries ago. He suggested, "Don't complain about the dust on your
neighbor's roof when your own doorstep is unclean."
When things go wrong
we often blame others. We blame them for the loss. If there is nobody to blame we start blaming
Luck or the God. We have played this
trick for a long time. And because of this trick, we have not grown; and have
not become mature in certain areas of life.
The fact is that, we
should first find fault within us. We have to do some introspection. Even if we
are 100% sure we are right still we have to introspect. This is the challenge. What
else we could have done? What we won’t do next time. What we should do next
time.
There is nobody who is
looking after us. We have to look after our self. There is nobody to whom we
can say, ’You are responsible.’ All responsibility is ours. If we become wastage,
it is because of us. If we go into hell, it is because of us. If we reach to
heaven, it is because of us. If this is the attitude then we will definitely
find areas where we can improve and thus our future success will improve.
This attitude will make
us mature. We will take our life into our own hands.
Once we have brought a
change in us we have to nurture it carefully. We have to make it our habit.
Merely bringing the change is not enough. It can be lost, so we have to go on
supporting it, helping it. We should never feel satisfied, because all that can
be gained can be lost.
The old habits are
great and deep-rooted; we have to make new changes as habit. The truth is,
change the habits and be successful.
The past habits are almost
like an ocean. The new change that has arisen is such a small wave, just a
ripple. The ocean can drown it. So we have to fight for it so that it is not
drowned.
Then by bringing other
small changes in us we add more ripples. All ripples become so big that by and
by the old ocean is drowned and a new fresh ocean appears.
Changing ripple by
ripple is possible only by a special art. This art is rare. This art is known
as "Self Criticism". Self Criticism is the best criticism. Moreover, Self Criticism is affordable.
There was popular king, who was loved by his courtiers as
well as by his people. Everyone wanted that a portrait of the king should be
made and displayed in the court of the kingdom. The King surrendered to the
wish of his people and gave his consent.
A search was made to
find the best painter. The search ended in a village. There lived a painter who
was crazy but a marvelous painter. He was poor but used to remain always happy.
He would make paintings of Gods and Goddess having background full of natural
scene. Characters in his painting used to appear as if real, as if they would
start talking.
Initially, he refused the offer to make the painting of the
king. Later he agreed, when he was promised that the temple of the village will
be renovated and expenses will be paid by the government. Further, the painter
will be rewarded 11,000 gold coins if the painting is appreciated by all.
The painter took one year to complete the painting.
Meanwhile, the village temple was renovated as per the promise. When the
painting was displayed in the court of the king, everyone including king and
courtiers were awestruck and spell bound. Everyone was praising the skill of
the painter. Experts were also there to find faults in the painting. They
declared the painting as flawless. King announced that the painter be given
11,000 gold coin.
Instead of receiving reward, the painter moved towards his
painting and tore it off. People started shouting, calling him mad. King angrily
asked him the reason of his daring act. The painter innocently replied, "my lord
there were some flaws in the painting which I could not notice before. But now
when I saw the painting here, I noticed those flaws".
King said, “We, including expert, did not see any flaw. We
were satisfied. You should have taken your reward and leave the painting to be
displayed in the court.”
The painter replied, “My Lord please pardon my daring but I
had seen those flaws and being a true artist I cannot accept the reward for a
faulty piece of creation. My lord I am a critic to my own art. Sooner or later
you and other might have noticed those flaws. My lord give me time, I will come
back with improved painting."
The painter came back next year and displayed his new painting.
Everyone noticed that the new version of the painting was much better than the old
version which he had torn off. He was praised by everyone again. King offered
him 21,000 gold coins instead of 11,000.
When the painter asked the reason for
the increment in the reward money, the king replied, “Because you are a self
critic. Those who find fault with themselves are rare breed, so you deserve
increased reward because you have placed yourself above the appreciation and
the criticism of others and I guess this is the secret of your lasting happiness.”
To be continued.....
