Why do I like rain?
Photo by raj H
- Raindrop – Photo and text by Raj H.
What is it that doesn’t change?
Photo by Umaraj H.
We have something valuable, and we don’t know about it; we don’t worry about it. But as soon as we know we have something valuable, we feel happy and excited for a moment. The very next moment, the fear of losing this valuable thing strikes our mind. And we start planning how to secure this thing, which means the thought of having something valuable is making us insecure.
Ok, how could you have possibly known the value of this thing in discussion?
Probably somebody told you, or you must have seen it on the tv, in a newspaper, etc., which means you learned about its value from somewhere outside of you. The value that comes from outside is relative, derived by comparison, but it’s not the absolute value of it.
Since the relative value is derived by comparison, it’s not constant; its value changes from time to time. So what’s the point in living your life in anxiety and fear trying to secure something that is constantly changing?
Absolute value is something that is not derived by comparison and remains constant.
Photo by Raj H.
So what it is that doesn’t change – that stays the same and stays with you all the time? I pondered this question for the most part of my life so that I can find the solution to this feeling of insecurity.
Do you know what is it that stays with you and doesn’t change?
It’s the present moment. It’s the “Now.” It never changes, and that’s all we have. No matter what happens in life, it’s always “Now.” We can’t escape from it.
So don’t let the thoughts of future disturb you. Be still. Try to become fully aware of the present moment; let it be your friend and a guide.
Written by Raj H.
Does More Money Bring More Happiness?
Photo by Raj H
Normally, one thing can fulfill one need. For example, food satisfies hunger, a house gives shelter, etc. But when we think about money, our logic tells us that it can buy us almost anything that we want. Therefore, it deludes us into believing that money is all that we need for happiness and joy.
Money is important to fulfill your basic needs. Beyond that it can’t do much in attaining fulfillment and joy if you don’t know what you really want to do in your life.
Money is just a pass, an access card, to the place where you want to go, but it’s not that place in itself. It’s a promise for happiness, but it’s not the happiness in itself. In layman’s terms, money is like a cab driver. If you don’t know where you want to go, he will drive you all over the city; he won’t hesitate to drive you from one coast to another.
Photo by Raj H
Do you know what is it that you want to do in your life?
Without wasting much of your time, let me get back to the point: people who are trying to find happiness in making more and more money are almost always depressed and anxious. Because they are preparing to live their lives. Their goal of joy and fulfillment is in the future, and future never arrives.
Let’s sit down for a moment, take a deep breath, and ponder this question- What would you like to do; how would you like to spend your life if money didn’t exist?
When you find the answer, you do that with your full attention in the present moment, and find joy and fulfillment in this very moment.
Written by Raj H.
Is dreaming big a bad thing?
Is dreaming big a bad thing?
No, dreaming big or thinking big is not a bad thing. It sets your priorities. It gives you the clarity in your journey of life; It shows you the direction in decisive moments.
Photo by Raj H.
You may not have the courage or skills when you start your journey, but you will muster the courage and learn required skills on your way to your destination.
Thought is a very powerful thing. As soon as you have a new thought or a goal, you start seeing things that never existed for you before. And the life starts presenting you with new opportunities. Welcome every opportunity as you welcome a new season; embrace every moment in life as it’s the last one. Let me elaborate this idea in two steps:
– Become friends with uncertainty. Every opportunity brings with it an element of uncertainty. If there is no uncertainty, you are not doing anything new or learning anything new. Learn to get comfortable with uncertainty; it will help you overcome your fears.
– But then you need to be flexible. You don’t always get what you expect. You need to train yourself to accept the present moment. This very acceptance will give you the strength in your journey and fill joy in your life.
Written by Raj H.
There are two kinds of vacations…
…one is with full of physical activity to feel the adrenaline rush and the other is soothing, relaxing, and unwinding.
We went, for the second kind of vacation, to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park this fall. I took hours of video footage. To make my life easier, I made a collection of clips that I liked and added music to it so that I could watch it whenever I felt like reminding myself of the cool breeze on my face and the whisper of the mountain.
Audio track: “S.P.Sasikumar-Na Jiya Lage Na (Flute)”, sound recording administered by: saregama. It’s an instrumental version of a song – Jiya Lagena.. From a 1970 Bollywood movie – Anand. Music director: Salil Chowdhury.
How do you like the video?
Please leave a comment.
Thanks for watching.
Raj.
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