My dad for me, has been my one and only source for inspiration.
He proved to be the best self-help reference guide, whenever I'd get side-tracked or get bogged down.
His capacity to pull out anecdotal statements to put your perspective on a different light is simply awe-inspiring. I sometimes wonder if he possess mental-telepathy as he always gives the right kind of advice, each and every time.
I hope one day, I can share his wisdom to my own kids, and be, at least to them, half as inspiring as my dad is to me.
I've recently come to him complaining about how my apparent learning curve on my new job seems to on the y-tangent of an fourth-quadrant inverted parabolic curve...
His advise (in his own words): "Your (job/life) predicaments are unique to you and your case alone... Don't take the situation you are in right now as a problem, but rather treat it as if a challenge (something to be excited about)... "
Although somewhat vague, everything actually made perfect sense.
Life's Problems are unique for you
I realized that any obstacles or challenges that could ever come anybody's way would be unique to them and them alone... that there is no one out there, possessing a similar set of factors (physiological, psychological, situational or otherwise), that could actually go through the same problem like you would... therefore, relieving you on the pressure of being scaled against anyone else... giving new meaning to the statement, to each his own!
Life's Problems are just mere challenges
If you understand that the only constant variable in the Chaos theory is actually the unknown quantity; this advice pretty much paints a clear and precise picture to anyone currently wallowing in doubt or whose been at the receiving end of any of life's "advanced" challenges for sometime now...
One word --- Brilliant!
Dad also shared some line to the "Divine Chat", a fictional exchange between a problematic chap and God himself through Internet messaging.
For the sake of those whose taken time to visit and read this post, below is the complete transcript of it.
Hope you could find bits of inspiration behind the text:
DIVINE CHAT
God : Hello. Did you call me?
Me: Called you? No.. who is this?
God : This is GOD. I heard your prayers. So I thought I will chat.
Me: I do pray. But just to make me feel good. I am actually busy now. I am in the midst of something.
God : What are you busy at?
Me: Don't know. But I cant find free time. Life has become hectic. It's rush hour all the time.
God : Sure. Activity gets you busy. But productivity gets you results. Activity consumes time. Productivity frees it.
Me: I understand. But I still cant figure out. By the way, I was not expecting YOU to buzz me on instant messaging chat.
God : Well I wanted to resolve your fight for time, by giving you some clarity. In this net era, I wanted to reach you through the medium you are comfortable with.
Me: Tell me, why has life become complicated now?
God : Stop analyzing life. Just live it. Analysis is what makes it complicated.
Me: why are we then constantly unhappy?
God : Your today is the tomorrow that you worried about yesterday. You are worrying because you are analyzing. Worrying has become your habit. That's why you are not happy.
Me: But how can we not worry when there is so much uncertainty?
God : Uncertainty is inevitable, but worrying is optional.
Me: But then, there is so much pain due to uncertainty..
God : Pain is inevitable, but suffering is optional.
Me: If suffering is optional, why do good people always suffer?
God : Diamond cannot be polished without friction. Gold cannot be purified without fire. Good people go through trials, but don't suffer. With that experience their life become better not bitter.
Me: You mean to say such experience is useful?
God : Yes. In every terms, Experience is a hard teacher. She gives the test first and the lessons afterwards.
Me: But still, why should we go through such tests? Why can't we be free from problems?
God : Problems are Purposeful Roadblocks Offering Beneficial Lessons (to) Enhance Mental Strength. Inner strength comes from struggle and endurance, not when you are free from problems.
Me: Frankly in the midst of so many problems, we don't know where we are heading..
God : If you look outside you will not know where you are heading. Look inside. Looking outside, you dream. Looking inside, you awaken. Eyes provide sight. Heart, provides insight.
Me: Sometimes not succeeding fast seems to hurt more than moving in the right direction. What should I do?
God : Success is a measure as decided by others. Satisfaction is a measure as decided by you. Knowing the road ahead is more satisfying than knowing you rode ahead. You work with the compass. Let others work with the clock.
Me: In tough times, how do you stay motivated?
God : Always look at how far you have come rather than how far you have to go. Always count your blessing, not what you are missing.
Me: What surprises you about people?
God : when they suffer they ask, "why me?" When they prosper, they never ask "Why me". Everyone wishes to have truth on their side, but few want to be on the side of the truth.
Me: Sometimes I ask, who am I, why am I here. I can't get the answer.
God : Seek not to find who you are, but to determine who you want to be. Stop looking for a purpose as to why you are here. Create it. Life is not a process of discovery but a process of creation.
Me: How can I get the best out of life?
God : Face your past without regret. Handle your present with confidence. Prepare for the future without fear.
Me: One last question. Sometimes I feel my prayers are not answered.
God : There are no unanswered prayers. At times the answer is NO.
Me: Thank you for this wonderful chat. I am so happy to start a life with a renewed sense of inspiration.
God : Well. Keep the faith and drop the fear. Don't believe your doubts and doubt your beliefs. Life is a mystery to solve not a problem to resolve. Trust me. Life is wonderful if you know how to live.
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