Everyone likes a comfort zone, even leaders!
Last week, after two years of consideration and thought, I finally decided to opt out of the Army after 20 wonderful years of my life there. Along with it, I would say goodbye to a great culture, a way of life that had made me into what I am today.
The fears and insecurity attached with the decision were troubling my mind for all this while. The more I thought about it, the bigger the fears became, often leading to stress and me crawling back to the comfort zone of the military assignment that I was into.
It then dawned upon me, 'Aren't we in a state of transition all the time'?
On a daily basis, our body cells are getting replaced, many of them even simply dying, and leading to the ageing process. We are always transiting through life. Similarly, our lives are moving forward, accumulating on actions and experiences (karmas), and getting ready for more. That too, is a transition, in a karmic way.
Every now and then, our destiny (both destined and chosen) takes us into different environments and makes us face different people, situations and options to exercise. What is it, if not transition?
Think of yourself sitting in a moving bus. Though you are moving (transiting) at a speed, both in time and space, you are stationary in relation to the co-passengers and the bus. Yet, you have the choice to make this journey better, by interacting with the right people, by choosing what to eat and what not to eat, and by indulging in what makes you happy (like listening to an ipod or reading a book).
Motions like career transitions are meant to be taken as a bus ride - a journey that encompasses body, mind and spirit, all in relative motion. The only medium that can be taken as constant or stationary is this world and all that makes this world.
We are meant to experience whatever comes our way in whichever manner and however big/small quantity. Our choices could be many, but they will all involve some transition or the other. But if we choose wisely, in a mindful manner, after recognising our pattern of life and the direction intended, we will generally end up making the right choice that will remove all the fears and insecurities and make the journey an exciting and fulfilling one, just like a bus ride.
It is the understanding of the bigger picture, the learning that you take away from your life experiences, that will make you embrace these changes (transitions) and make you live this life as you ought to - pursuing your purpose!
Or should we say, once you find your true purpose, transitions become irrelevent?
Related Post - Life is a Journey, Picture the Road Ahead
7 comments:
thats news! All the Best.. :)
It isn't so easy to find one's purpose in life!!
Many of us therefore engage in never ending bus-rides. We keep going somewhere but don't really know where & how; & hence we never get there.
Sometimes, Purpose is right there, staring at you in the face, but you do not recognise it.
The pressing needs, starting from within, and moving out to include the needs of your family, dear ones, local community, all are posible levels for finding purpose. At what level are you most required to intervene, well that will decide your purpose.
This was in response to your comment, Mr Anonymous!
For us Indians who are fortunate enough to live in this land that is steeped in spiritual and cultural richness, for one's purpose in life one needs to look nobfurther than our ancient scriptures for guidance. the concepts of Dharma nd Karma give excellent direction in this direction irrespective of anyone's religious leanings or inclinations. Our task is simply o do what a right whether in our respective services or in civvie street.
Vivek,
I agree with you.
While I may not have read many scriptures, I have been read out quite a few extracts.
And my heart tells me, that you and I are esentially meaning the same thing.
Regards
Navinder I am happy for you. I know it was not an easy decision you have made and I want to congratulate you on your leap of faith.
I agree that our lives are all about transition. I will share something fabulous I learned this weekend on purpose and transition on my next blog post at http://www.kelliefrazier.com
I do agree that scriptures can illuminate the purpose we are here, but given that there are so many uniquely different scriptures people allow confusion, hence, never finding purpose.
Since I was young I believed that my sole purpose was to live for others. That's it, nothing more. That belief has not changed in me, only the transitions I've been through that create the change in it's delivery.
Again, I congratulate you my friend and look forward to co-creating your future.
Kellie
dear narang sir,
hi, bhasker here, great to hear about your exit from the stiffling environment, how's the new job, where r u , settled in delhi, i'm at the army's media cell, managaing publications and psy ops, contact at 23018867/ 26149703/ 9818992883. let's catch up on a lot's of things
regards
bhasker gupta
Post a Comment