SAY NOPE TO DOPE !

SAY NOPE TO DOPE !

Be the best you can be – be drug free.

Today* seems the perfect occasion to reveal this real-life experience. Here is my detailed answer to one of the most difficult encounters ever in my life. It was almost a shock for me to come to terms with a confession made by someone quite close to me. For the matter of confidentiality, his/ her name is not disclosed. This blog post is written with the pure intentions of doing good to the larger audience and doesn't intend to hurt anybody's sentiments.

Q. Hope you remember me. I thought a number of times to speak to you, but failed every time; Yeah, of course due to lack of confidence and fear of speaking out about something. But now I want to speak to somebody and I am sure you are the right person. As I came to this new place, I had lots of dreams and my parents were very happy. Everything was going smooth but one day I noticed my lack of interest towards studies and started getting backlogs in examinations. That was not a big issue but I don't know how and when I got into the habit of smoking and finally I started taking drugs...Now its a habit to take it every two or three days a week. But I don't want to do it, I want to get rid of it but all my efforts seem to be of no use...I Want To Live A Normal Life. Please help me. Please guide me and assist me to build myself again…I need your advice. And it’s a request to please keep it confidential.

The 'Detailed' Answer:  

“The greatest mistake in life is to get addicted to drugs - becoming a prisoner of ecstasy and hallucination, and less of a man. The drug addict loses the sense of dignity, responsibility, self- esteem and self- respect, and he forgets how to live like a human being. Drug addiction reduces a man to a mindless and ridiculous thing. Drugs are for the people who can not handle their troubles in reality. People try drugs out of curiosity, to have a good time or to escape from stress, anxiety or depression, but all drug addicts are willful victims themselves. The drug addict is his own enemy - slowly killing himself using drugs as a weapon. They dig their own graves by being addicted to the deadly pleasures of drugs and they cannot avoid a horrible fate.  Drugs are the false friend of the human mind, and a hidden killer. Drug addiction is a self- punishing disease that ruins mental, psychological and physical health. And it cannot be cured if the fear of not consuming drugs is greater than the willpower to quit doing drugs. Drug abuse is a suicidal act.”

- Dr T.P.Chia

Dear _____, I do understand your dilemma. And I really appreciate that you want to get out of a life full of self-torture...and for this, buddy, you really need to have a 'will of steel'...I don’t want to sound overwhelming to you with a rosy picture. To be straightforward, I must say, “Dear _____, you have got a tough challenge ahead.” You will have to fight hard in days to come if you wish to build yourself. I know it's not that easy but I would also admit that it's not that impossible. Sometimes, life becomes really hard and we find ourselves at the crossroads. We get confused where to go. But I must tell you, you are not the only one in ‘a sorry state’ like this. But yes, you will have to be the one who doesn't get trapped by these horrible habits all over again. I call this 'horrible' and you know this monster gets bigger and bigger by eating up your life, by eating up your dreams, by eating up your parents' hopes, by eating up ‘You’ and finally what remains at the end of the day are just nothing except regret, disappointment and guilt....And as far as I can sense through your message that you will never want this to happen ever in your life.

Look at the list of successful people who have been destroyed by drugs.

Look at the list of successful people who have been destroyed by drugs. Few months back, reports had been published stating that the star of the ‘Home Alone’ series, Macaulay Culkin was dangerously addicted to several drugs.  His drug problem was completely out of control. Dear, drugs mess with a lot many things in life. I need not tell you the after effects deeply as you might be aware of the dark side. Still I have an inner desire to throw some light on the same darkness. Drugs mess with your mind. Drug residues can remain in the body for many years after they were taken, the effect on the mind can last a long time. Drugs mess with your body. Since drugs also use up your body's supply of vitamins and minerals, you become more prone to diseases. Drugs mess with your wallet too. However a person under the influence of drugs is quite likely to make expensive mistakes and be incompetent. You pay big money to destroy yourself. Drugs mess with your life. It could seem ‘cool’ in the beginning and that can turn into a living nightmare that includes accidents, hurting those you love, shattered relationships and what not. Drug users often lose their enthusiasm for life. Taking drugs gives you lifestyle of a sad loser with no prospects. The damage that drug use can do to one's physical appearance is very obvious. And finally drugs mess with your hopes and dreams. Remember, drugs are for losers. 

Dear _____, you can succeed no matter what you have done in the past. And your choice is going to define your life. Your choice to lead a life free from drugs is what will bring the change. Your choice to be your own master (not a to-be-monster in the grips of drugs) will bring the change and your choice to be the ‘Man’ will bring that change....Believe me, You Can Do It. Again you have to be really strong whenever you feel the ‘unreal hunger’ to have some ‘unreal high'; you will have to remind yourself that whenever you say ‘No’ to drugs, it will definitely give you a ‘high’ in the long run. Do not give in to feed that monster any more from now on. Instead you feed your heart and your mind with something more meaningful, something more healthy, something more productive...you know a weak body is a welcoming place to all unhealthy things...as your mind also gets weaker if your body is not strong...So, if possible do start some physical work out, or start running, or start going to some gym or anything like that. Think about what you like doing the most. Enjoy life. Just remember that Drugs Are Bad. Say it in your head over and over and over again.

Try these ways to say “no.”

I think nobody must ever nourish any silly reason to get addicted to this venom. There are so many interesting and fulfilling things in life such as investing in a meaningful career, bonding with the ones you love and your parents. Realize that pursuing interests is more fun, cheaper (especially physically), healthier and easier. Try to associate with people who do not use drugs. Have a good friend who will provide you positive feedback about any situation whenever you are tempted to experiment. Remember that the future is full of hope and promise and drugs might rob you of all those beautiful promises. Even trying drugs once, or just having a little taste, can suck you into it. Learn to say no when friends, peers, or even strangers offer drugs to you. I found this list (see the image on the right side) extremely helpful for those who are in a sticky situation with a drug dealer trying to offer or persuade them into taking drugs. This list is also an answer to your peers who may offer these substances to you. Try these ways to say “no.”

Have the willpower and confidence to know that you don't need drugs. Be aware of your talents and skills. Write your accomplishments down so you can think of them in times of trouble and when you feel worthless. Have hope. Realize that you can create your happy feelings by caring about and building, your future. You can never look back at a substance-abusing episode with pride, but you can when recalling how you fought the battle and won it. Fill your mind with positive thoughts either by reading some good stuff or by watching some real good movies. Inspire Yourself...Motivate Yourself....Whenever you feel weak inside, do remind yourself, it's ‘Now or Never’...Keep your monster hungry every time it craves for some food (or your attention)....Make it weaker day by day...and you be stronger everyday until that monster dies itself with a natural death. And that would be an accomplishment for you as a new start to your brand new life! You know, you will have to do this...not only for your own self, but also for those who love you unconditionally, who smile just after seeing a smile on your face, who dream high on you, and whose hopes count only on you....For their love, for their dreams and for their hopes, 'Never Say Die !' Be the best you can be – be drug free.

My final words: Don’t waste your life being wasted. Drug free is the way to be. Drugs cost you more than just money. Get high on life, not on drugs. Reach for the stars not for drugs. Say Nope to Dope!

* Today is International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking [26th June]

If you like this blog post and wish to share your experiences/ remarks/ views with me, you are most welcome. Write to me at pdpbygauravmisra@gmail.com. Like on facebook.com/PDP by Gaurav Misra. Follow on Twitter@pdpbygm.

DON’T QUIT: Think Happy, Live Better.

I wonder how come one can estimate his/ her life so wasted that losing one’s life
sometimes seems the easiest bargain.

 DON’T QUIT: Think Happy, Live Better.

Recently Board exam results got announced and as always news of students’ suicide attempts was the talk of the town. I wonder how come one can estimate his/ her life so wasteful that losing one’s life sometimes seems the easiest bargain. And this set me thinking ‘In Detail’ (with some number crunching statistics) about loss, stress and depression that lead some of us to the most stupid act (read suicide) and how we can get out of this silly-self-made-trap with a little self-help.

“You may have vices, problems and weaknesses... you may be a flawed person, but accepting your flaws and working towards a better ‘you’ is a must. There are times when you may not be in the happiest state of mind, but that doesn’t mean you make everyone around you unhappy. A happy mind is the secret to a happier self.”

 ~ John Abraham

DON’T QUIT: Think Happy, Live Better. Yes dear, it sounds too much ‘GYAN’ in one go. I do admit that I have borrowed my title’s tagline from ‘Eat Healthy, Think Better’ (Britannia punchline: "Swasth Khao Tan Man Jagao"). But the reason for reproducing the title is quite simple. First, it sounds catchy. And second, it conveys the intended message exactly. This time this blog post is not only about thinking positively but also about making a better choice. Well, the issue is more serious this time. Do you know that almost one million lives are lost yearly due to suicide, which works out to 3,000 suicide deaths daily? For every person, who completes a suicide, 20 or more may attempt to end his/ her life.* One out of 10 people globally suffer from major depression and almost one out of five persons has suffered from this disorder during his lifetime. At present, depression is estimated to affect 350 million people. By 2020, depression will be the second leading cause of world disability, and by 2030 it is expected to be the largest contributor to disease burden.**

At present, depression is estimated to affect 350 million people.

In a shocking new book titled ‘This Is Me: The Autobiography’, Australian swimming legend Ian Thorpe with five Olympic medals, discloses his darkest secrets. He writes, “My illness was so severe that, at times, I considered suicide. My blackest periods would often last a month, and it was during those times that I thought about ‘it’ happening. I even considered specific places or a specific way to kill myself, but then always baulked, realising how ridiculous it was. Could I have killed myself? Looking back, I don’t think so, but there were days in my life that, even now, make me shudder. I used alcohol as a means to rid my head of terrible thoughts – but I did it behind closed doors, where many depressed people choose to fight their demons before they realise they can’t do it without help. Now I am managing my depression properly.”

A R Rahman’s biography ‘The Spirit of Music’ also gives out a big secret about the Oscar winning singer-composer. He too battled suicidal tendencies. He states, “It felt so hopeless and I often wondered how I was going to get out of all that. All those years of struggle, humiliation, being ordered around by other people, seeing worry on the faces of my family, the feeling of an inferiority complex, the lack of self esteem, and even at times, fighting suicidal thoughts – all that seemed to fade away when I bought my first mixer/ recorder in 1989 with the money that my mother had kept aside for the marriage of my younger sisters.”

They obviously thought of chucking it all but they
refused point blank to the option of complete surrendering.

On the basis of my own personal experiences, I can say that disappointment, dejection and depression are sometimes too hard to avoid especially when life is full of rejections. Many people crack under pressure. You cannot wear an artificial smile on your face when you are sad within (while some people do that and are expert in it). And it’s not just about people like you and me. Even super achievers in life like Thorpe and Rahman and many others have also been the victims of the same ‘sad stuff’. They obviously thought of chucking it all but they refused point blank to the option of complete surrendering. And there are also people like Jiah Khan who quit from the stage of life over a heart break. I think this is the greatest cowardice to give up when life gets a little rough. They say there is no greater sin than that of suicide because you’re kicking God’s gift of life in the face and proving you are not worth it. Well, the theory of afterlife and rebirth (whether you subscribe to it or not) suggests that people who do not receive their due life lessons and quit life freely are bound to born with the same circumstances over and over again till the lesson is learnt (Do you get it?!!) 

Now one may wonder if our life is going to depend solely on antidepressants and stress relievers. The answer is a big ‘No’. And here is a great clue. A new study has revealed that one third of antidepressants drug studies are never published in medical literature. In virtually all those study that are hidden from the public, the drug did not work. Yes, the drug did not work! Yes, this is the catch. What is the secret formula? Very Simple! It’s an interesting ‘mind-game’ where you are supposed to ‘believe’ that everything will be alright (like the pill or the potion will make you feel better). And this faith in the drug sometimes does get you better (not the drug itself). Our thoughts play a huge role in shaping up our life as a whole? In other words, your thoughts rule your entire well being. For example, a break-up or some sad news activates the release of stress hormones 'Cortisol', while cheerful people with positive attitude have more happy hormones 'Endorphin' in their bloodstream. Likewise, couples who regularly have heated arguments are more likely to have severe health problems. Well, one thing is absolutely clear that negative thought of any kind leads to ill effects. And in some extreme cases, it often leads to suicidal tendencies. In other words, Happiness is in your hands and most of the time, it’s more in your head. If you can control your thoughts; your thoughts, in effect, can control your inner emotions.

I am never going to quit.

Accept yourself for all the wonderful things you are and all the things you aren't. Don’t let life wipe you totally out. Problems are nothing but challenges. And taking challenges out of life would be like taking a net away from a tennis game. It is a combination of your considerable courage and rock-solid determination that turns the tide in your favour. Yes, you too can switch gears. You too can grow up to a new level and become an admirably remarkable inspiration for others. Do get going when the going gets tough. Value the life you have. Realise that you've been blessed with so much. Be grateful for the many things you've taken for granted. Celebrate your little improvements; don't beat yourself up for what you could not achieve. No matter if you stumble and fall, pick yourself up, dust off and keep going. If you look hard enough, I'm sure you will find the silver lining in every cloud. Setbacks are just opportunities for comebacks. Remember that the greatest of heroes are not those who didn't face hardships, but those who overcame them.

Last but not the least. And I love it whenever I read this ‘outstanding piece of inspiration’ (and next time whenever your heart says, “I Quit”, do read these lines over and over again. I did and I am never going to quit.)

When things go wrong, as they sometimes will,

When the road you're trudging seems all uphill,

When the funds are low and the debts are high,

And you want to smile, but you have to sigh,

When care is pressing you down a bit-

Rest if you must, but don't you quit.

Life is queer with its twists and turns,

As every one of us sometimes learns,

And many a fellow turns about

When he might have won had he stuck it out.

Don't give up though the pace seems slow -

You may succeed with another blow.

Often the goal is nearer than

It seems to a faint and faltering man;

Often the struggler has given up

When he might have captured the victor's cup;

And he learned too late when the night came down,

How close he was to the golden crown.

Success is failure turned inside out -

The silver tint in the clouds of doubt,

And you never can tell how close you are,

It might be near when it seems afar;

So stick to the fight when you're hardest hit -

It's when things seem worst that you must not quit.

~ Author Unknown

* A report by the WHO, Depression and Global Crisis

** The World Psychiatric Association (WPA)

If you like this blog post and wish to share your experiences/ remarks/ views with me, you are most welcome. Write to me at pdpbygauravmisra@gmail.com. Like on facebook.com/PDP by Gaurav Misra. Follow on Twitter@pdpbygm.

Believe In Yourself !

If you don't believe in yourself, how do you expect anyone else to believe in you ?

 Believe In Yourself!

It’s typically tough when you are surrounded by people who distrust your potential and who have already decided who and what you are. Whereas the terrible thing is that you start to agree with their assessment of yourself. I believe it’s a crime to do that to yourself, but it’s also an easy trap to fall into.

“Before you lay a foundation on the cricket field, there should be a solid foundation in your heart and you start building on that. After that as you start playing more and more matches, you learn how to score runs and how to take wickets.”

~ Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar

As a matter of fact, I am not a very die hard fan for reality shows but I do watch them occasionally whenever I get some free time (which I rarely get). Of late I was watching this dance reality show called ‘India’s Dancing Superstar’ judged by choreographers Geeta Kapoor, Ashley Lobo and actor Riteish Deshmukh. And there was one group of dancers ‘MJ 5’ which really amazed me for its ‘fantabulous’ performances every week. Suffice to say, every time I witnessed their creative acts, I fell in love with them. As a wide-eyed spectator watching their unbelievable dance moves, I felt too stunned to say anything. I still remember how I would get super excited like a little kid to watch them on my television screen. Yes, team MJ 5 went on to become the winner of the show with the cash prize of 50 lakh. The team has already made a mark in the film industry with an offer to choreograph for an animation movie. I really could not resist myself to probe a little more about these incredible guys on earth in order to know their winning formula. Thanks to professor Google, I was glad to make out their journey from ‘nobody to somebody’ and the rock solid faith in their abilities.  

MJ5 - comprises of Kartik, Shresh, Vishnu, Himanshu and Rohit - have named their group after King of Pop Michael Jackson. The group developed a unique identity while performing on the show with their signature dance moves. Now after their astounding win, they have become more popular. Earlier, there were only 260 likes on their Facebook page, but after people saw them on the show, they got more than 2 lakh likes (now 1.4 million and still counting). There was a time when they were competing one another at various DU college fests, and sometimes they would win and sometimes they would lose. Then they decided to come together to form a group and that is how they came collectively. When they told their friends and family that they wanted to participate in the show, “Unhe kaha gaya tha ki tumhara kuch nahi ho sakta hai iss show par.” (They were told that they would amount to nothing in the show). But it was their conviction that helped them perform amazingly well throughout the show and they never landed up in the danger zone. This story of these five performers with an extraordinary confidence compelled me to think of how important it is to ‘Believe in Oneself.’

They were told that they would amount to nothing in the show.

“Faith is to believe what you do not see; the reward of this faith is to see what you believe.”

~ Saint Augustine

Often life poses difficult circumstances ahead of us where we have to choose our true path. And in such a situation, it is our belief that helps us sail across the ocean of doubt and dilemma. I am sure, it’s typically tough when you are surrounded by people who distrust your potential and who have already decided who and what you are. Whereas the terrible thing is that you start to agree with their assessment of yourself. I believe it’s a crime to do that to yourself, but it’s also an easy trap to fall into. Once you lose faith and drop your belief, even simple setbacks of life seem tougher than ever before. No wonder, there are people in life riding a good wave and the people who come off a wave. Life is like that only. It is your self belief that enables you to see the world of possibilities where there are no boundaries. There are times in your life when you feel low and out. You start feeling empty inside; there is this tiny voice in your head that looks for answers and makes you believe that you can get over anything on your own. In other words, possessing self belief is equal to half the battle won. 

There is a voice inside of you

That whispers all day long,

“I feel that this is right for me,

I know that this is wrong.”

No teacher, preacher, parent, friend

Or wise man can decide

What’s right for you - just listen to

The voice that speaks inside. 

~ Shel Silverstein

Born with spinal bifida, a rare disability, Ryan Chalmers spent his entire life getting around with the assistance of crutches or a wheelchair. He spent much of his childhood in a hospital but it was there that he was introduced to wheelchair athletics and he immediately fell in love with the sport. Chalmers decided to set off on a nearly 3,500-mile road trip across the country – starting in Los Angeles and finishing in New York’s Central Park – on his wheelchair. He spent as much as 10 hours a day pushing his chair. His feet were getting swollen some of the time, his hands were getting cut up with blisters – his knees were in pain, his back was in pain. His body wasn’t used to being in that racing chair that long. He then finished with 13 miles across the desert, while the temperature topped out at about 95-degrees. Those kinds of conditions were something Chalmers wasn’t very accustomed to. And completing roughly 50 miles a day, the Paralympian crossed 14 states in the hopes of inspiring others with disabilities.

“Faith is the bird that feels the light and sings when the dawn is still dark.”

~ Rabindranath Tagore

Self belief proves you worthy of your due achievements. Some of the endeavors in your life could be easy to attempt but not necessarily easy to beat, whereas some deeds are difficult to even attempt and also difficult to beat. Danish freediver Stig Severinsen achieved a new World Record by swimming 250 feet (76.2 meters) underwater - without fins or even a wetsuit - below one-meter-thick ice on a single breath of air. Most centenarians find it difficult to walk but age did not slow down 102-year-old French cyclist Robert Marchand and he proved his mettle by riding almost 17 miles in an hour. Self believers are those individuals who are always ready to push their limits of what they can perform as per the best of their abilities. If they see the barriers, they immediately find ways to cut through them. We’re always fascinated by such people who are willing to dedicate themselves to achieving something truly remarkable. And again the magic trick is self belief.

Self-Belief is free to anyone who chooses to use it.

Have an unwavering desire to make your mark. Put in your best efforts. It’s no good to get swayed by other’s opinions. People may stick their finger in your face and tell you, “It’s not possible.” “It’s not easy anymore.” “It’s not in your reach.” “That’s way too impractical.” “That’s not a child’s play.” “You can’t make it.” Mind you, your inner voice rules everything and success comes to those who trust themselves. You must have huge amount of faith in yourself. Remember, the task ahead of you is not as great as the power within you. You achieve only when you believe. Don’t ever give up. Destroy your doubts. It doesn’t matter if you have the right tools with you or not. What matters most is to genuinely believe in yourself. If you don’t believe in yourself, how can you expect others to believe in you? It’s true that everything is not in your hands. Things don’t always move the way we want. Life is full of rejections. But do not let any rejection put you down. Self-Belief is free to anyone who chooses to use it. It comes from within. You cannot buy it, borrow it, steal it or sell it. It is always available to you and never wears out. The only choice you have to make is whether or not you use it.

So believe in yourself! Easily said, can be easily done too, Question is, do we want to?

If you liked this blog post and wish to share your experiences/ remarks/ views with me, you are most welcome. Write to me at pdpbygauravmisra@gmail.com. Like on facebook.com/PDP by Gaurav Misra. Follow on Twitter@pdpbygm.

CHALLENGE YOURSELF !

What do you do when you confront a challenging situation in your life?

CHALLENGE YOURSELF !

Do not feel wronged, abandoned and deserted by God in times of difficulties. For, you will always be blessed with a series of brilliant opportunities giftedly disguised as problems and challenges.

“I feel that we are often taken out of our comfort zones, pushed and shoved out of our nests, because if not, we would never know what we could do with our wings, we would never see the horizon and the sun setting on it, we would never know that there's something far better beyond where we are at the moment. It can hurt, but then later you say "thank you." I have been pushed and shoved and have fallen out and away, so very, very, many, many times! And others around me have not! But then, the others haven't seen what I have seen or felt what I have felt or been who I have been, they can't become what I have become. I am me.”

~ C. JoyBell C.

He was returning from school when some students were in a van that caught fire. Hearing shouts for help, he went near and saw crowds witnessing the drama helplessly. Everybody nearby was staring at the burning van with kids inside and there was not a soul who moved. Without missing a beat, he moved forward and tried opening the door but the handle broke off. He then broke the window, unlocked the door from inside and pulled the students from the blaze before calling the fire brigade. One extraordinary thing about this incident was that this was a 17-year-old boy who went ahead and helped simultaneously without thinking about the consequences. He is Shubham Santosh Chaudhari recipient of bravery award this year on 65^th Republic Day. He wants to become a naval officer and fulfil his father’s dreams. In his own words, “I firmly believe everyone has a good soul – and it’s during times of distress that these souls must act.” This small real-life act about remarkable courage at a young age surely depicts that challenging moments bring out one’s best if encountered with a sense of responsibility and determination.

We often wonder why the gap between non achievers and super achievers is so absurdly wide. Let me do my bit to get this straight. What do you do when you confront a challenging situation in your life? Many times some of us feel like world is coming to an end. We deal with crisis with a blank and baffled look not knowing exactly what to do next similarly to what the crowd did on seeing the van burning. At the max, we could either start cribbing, turn bitter or we could resort to various escapes. On the other hand, there are also those who rise manifold without getting rattled by difficulties in life. And if life pushes them hard against the wall, they strongly strike back. Even though unfavorable circumstances pull them down, they hold their head high, stand up and move forward. And the world often feels blown away by their exceptional success stories. If you look into the lives of all those high fliers who stumped the world with their outstanding attainments and accolades, you’ll find one thing in common. And that one common thing is presence of challenges in their life. No great accomplisher has had shock-proof-fail-safe life ever. In fact, difficulties in our life push us to raise the bar of our game at each step of the way.

No great accomplisher has had 'shock-proof-fail-safe' life ever.

Charles was a cook and Lee-lee was a housekeeper. They were very poor and lived in Hong Kong. They became parents of a baby boy on April 7th, 1954. The baby weighed just 12 pounds when he was born and his mother required surgery to deliver him. Charles borrowed money from friends to pay for the operation, turning down the doctor’s offer to take the child in payment. Later on, this boy attended the Nah-Hwa Primary School on Hong Kong Island, where he failed his first year, after which his parents withdrew him from the school. He used to spend his travel money on food and went to home by walk. He was not academically bright, and his parents decided to enroll him, now 7, at China Drama Academy. Students at the school were severely disciplined and were beaten if they disobeyed or made mistakes. It was a very harsh and difficult life but he had nowhere else to go, so he stayed. He rarely saw his parents for many years and trained rigorously for the next decade, excelling in martial arts and acrobatics. Unfortunately the Chinese opera was no longer very popular, so he and his classmates had to find other work. The only work available to them was unskilled labour or stunt work. He started working as a stuntman and an extra in the Hong Kong film industry. Soon he was in demand and was on his way to Hong Kong Movie Industry. He brought humour to martial arts movies; his first success was “Snake in Eagle’s Shadow.” This was followed by “Drunken Master” (another blockbuster) and his first ever directing job, “Fearless Hyena.” All were big hits. And finally, after nearly 40 years in the business, he has reached worldwide stardom and today people know him as ‘Jackie Chan.’

 “Embrace each challenge in your life as an opportunity for self-transformation.”

~ Bernie S. Siegel

Our real life begins outside our comfort zone and these are only the challenges which propel us to move out of our shell. Challenges help us realize our hidden potential. Challenges suffice to our ‘spirit of adventure’. I make you a bet, and I’m pretty sure that I’ll win the bet. I bet you life would just be an uninteresting straight-line; nothing more than that, without any challenge. Life turns into an exciting rollercoaster ride due to the presence of challenging moments. Challenges make your life interesting and overcoming them makes your life meaningful. We feel a level up and a step further every time we overcome a challenge,. Determination, ability to take risks, will power, presence of mind, self belief and many more positive attributes surface whenever we find ourselves in challenging circumstances. Perhaps that’s the reason why almost all heroes in our movies face challenges more often than not in different forms and features and demonstrate their heroic qualities. If we take away all those action packed fights and clashes from these movies, we would have no adrenaline rush in watching them. Study says that the presence of challenges in one’s life trigger huge behavioural changes in one’s overall personality. And if taken positively, it can light a spark in you and you can even outshine others in your field.

“Every challenge is a chance to become a champion.”

~ Ifeanyi Enoch Onuoha

"I was just getting by, and trying."

Douglas Engelbart was born in 1925, in Oregon, where he grew up on a small farm. When he was 9, his father died. In 1942, he graduated high school and went to Oregon State University to study electrical engineering. His studies were interrupted by WWII. He joined the Navy and spent two years in Philippines as a radar technician. While stationed in Philippines he read Vannevar Bush's "As We may Think", which greatly influenced him. He returned to College and completed his engineering in 1948. In December 1950, when he was engaged to be married, he realized he had no career goals. Over several months he challenged himself if he could make this world a better place and if his career could maximize his contribution to the mankind. This was, of course, well before the Internet or World Wide Web came into existence. As he avers himself, “Growing up without a father, through the teenage years and such, I was always sort of different...Other people knew what they were doing, and had good guidance, and had enough money to do it. I was just getting by, and trying.” And you know what? He is the same man who is best known for inventing the computer mouse.

“No one is without troubles, without personal hardships and genuine challenges. That fact may not be obvious because most people don't advertise their woes and heartaches.  But nobody, not even the purest heart, escapes life without suffering battle scars.”

~ Richelle E. Goodrich

It’s true that everybody faces challenges in his or her life. It’s a marriage of your determination and your confrontation with life that brings about the birth of a winner in you. Personally speaking, if anybody asks me how has the ride been so far? I would say that it was never smooth and straight. Without the challenges that I have faced, I may not be where I am at all (and in all humbleness, I do acknowledge that there are miles to go before I sleep). I firmly believe that life is either a daring voyage or nothing at all. Challenges are to test our character and help us grow. Difficulties reinforce our resolve, as labor does the body. Embarking upon challenges won't shrink your muscles, it'll strengthen them. After having won each challenge that confronted us, we are wiser and stronger. Life's challenges are the stepping stones to ever greater things. Sometimes the most intricate challenges are the most important lessons; and they hold the greatest gems of insight and improvement. Mind you, a challenge only becomes a barrier when you bow to it. So do not feel wronged, abandoned and deserted by God in times of difficulties. For, you will always be blessed with a series of brilliant opportunities giftedly disguised as problems and challenges.

Yes, you too can achieve greater heights and I challenge you! Are you up for the challenge?

If you really liked this blog post and wish to share your experiences/ remarks/ views with me, you are most welcome. Write to me at pdpbygauravmisra@gmail.com.