Emotional and Mental Health

Success and failure are brothers from different mothers. You try hard but the end result is not always in your favor. It is the time when people start judging you and even ask for justifications for your downfall or failure. Straight out, you need to appreciate the fact that your actions were inspired by none other than you. You did what you felt was right. People who can accept and understand it will agree to it. They will always back your decision. On the other hand, those who disagree; your hundreds of justifications will be in vain. Trust me, it is impossible to clarify your actions to everybody. People perceive what they want to as per their convenience and understanding. Moreover, why do you need to give justifications for your committed actions? A decision taken can have both the conditions possible. Either it will be right or it will be wrong. Be brave enough to take the responsibility of any condition. Why are you giving justifications to others and authorizing them to take a call on your decision? Also, the definition of right and wrong vary from person to person. Subsequently, neither it is possible nor it is your responsibility to make everyone happy. You don’t owe any justifications to anyone except to your time. Obliging others with your justifications is a big question on your self-belief and self-importance. Therefore, it is entirely your responsibility to take a stand for your actions. Always be loyal to your time as you cannot predict how much you have. Do things what the time demands and not what the people demand. It is the justification for your time, not people, which eases your life journey.      

Morals are the basic understandings, values, and beliefs of a particular person or a group or a culture that defines how we should live our life. Sometimes, these are written or expressed in books; sometimes these are words of great people whom we believe.   Morals are universal teachings that we try to practice every day. Morals are ideal in themselves. They help us in choosing a response to a particular situation. Ideally, they teach the concept of right and wrong. Now, when a person believes in these teachings or values and acts accordingly in his day to day life, then these beliefs become a trait of that person. For instance, one should be loyal, is a belief. Loyalty becomes the character of that person. Therefore, we must summon into minds that we build our character on the ideas of our morals. Building a morale is a continuous process, which takes time. It is not a one-day phenomenon. A person's upbringing also plays a dominant role in the cultivation of values and morals. Therefore, it also becomes the responsibility of the parents to nurture their child well. Also, guide them to follow the right path.

  Dear Parents, Greetings!!! My age is 32 now. I became a father of beautiful daughter four years back. I am writing this letter because now, I can fully comprehend how it feels to become a parent, just like you.  It is magical. I am really enjoying my parenthood. I have also realized that only my daughter can give me an opportunity to feel like a child again...something we always crave for, right? I can say that I am able to step into your shoes now... Apart from enjoying, I can contemplate how challenging is the role of a parent in the upbringing of a child. Seriously, it is a very tough job. Hats off to all of you. I can understand how difficult it was for you to raise us. I can relate to everything. But I realized a few more things as well... Introducing her to this world was my decision, not hers. So I need to adapt to the changes quickly. I need to understand my responsibilities towards her. I need to do the best I can in raising her. Well, every parent wants to become the best parent in the world. But what is the correct definition of the best parent? Is it a subjective question? Well, few conditions may vary, but in any case, love, respect, morals, values, integrity, ethics are the domains, which are regardless of every condition. You all are conscious of the fact that foundation of a plant is its roots, which has to be strong. The same applies to our children. The foundation here is the upbringing of the child, which is always the responsibility of the parent.  A reality check... I want to ask you a few questions. You may not like it but these questions are the need of the hour... How have times you scolded your child whenever he/she has committed mistakes? How many times have you got irritated because of them when they are curious and inquisitive? Have you ever felt ashamed and embarrassed by them?  How many times have you shown your disappointment towards them? Have you ever raised your hand on them? Have you ever compared your child with others’ children? Yes, ask yourself consciously that how many times have you tried to 'STEP INTO THEIR SHOES'? I am sure you do not like these questions. Maybe I am asking it too directly. Please ignore if you answer to the above-asked questions is 'No' or 'Never'. But believe me, if any of these questions are making you feel uncomfortable, it means you are feeling guilty.   You are uncovering a bitter realization within you... Respected parents, I don’t intend to hurt by asking you these questions. These issues are the need of the hour. Let us stop ignoring it and talk about it now. It is crucial for you to realize that your pain inflicted by these questions is minimal compared to your child's pain inflicted by you. Yes, you read it right... As a parent, it is very easy for you to express your negative emotions towards them....

The inevitable process We all are distinct individuals. We look different, think different. We respond to a given situation differently. We all have unique personal, social and professional background. Our interests, strengths, weaknesses, core competencies are all varied and diversified. We all are unique in our ways. Undoubtedly, most of us haven’t met in person and do not know one another personally. However, we all have someone very familiar around us. He is the one who clings on each of us individually and characteristically. May I present you, our omnipresent friend ‘STRESS.' I know I am personifying ‘Stress' but  to  connect well with this state of mind, pause and think; ‘doesn’t “it”, rather “he”  seem like our best friend?’ You might have got a hint….with a realization. I know it is not easy to admit, but it is a venomous truth. We shall try to face it, accept it and seek solutions. Most of us might also be wondering that how can we be friends with stress, let alone being best of friends. We all want to keep stress away from our lives, but how many of us have succeeded in doing so? Well, I don't think this question needs to be answered.  Fine, let us try to check the authentication level of our affinity with stress. Qualities of our best friend: We all are very well aware of the qualities of a best friend. Let us try to figure out that does he (Stress) has the same qualities that our best friends have? The first and the foremost quality best friends have is that they are trustworthy. Come what may, they will never leave you. Rest assured, our relationship with stress is also very healthy and sustainable. Sometimes, it even lasts for a lifetime. The second quality we find in our best friends is that they never let us feel lonely and alone. Stress again meets and fulfills this promise. No matter whatever the situations most of us are in, stress accompanies us anywhere and everywhere. In fact, many of his friends like anxiety, nervous tension, worry, fear, and impatience also join the party. I am sure we don’t like them, but how can we say no to the friends of our best friend. Ok, let us check out the following quality. Whenever we are stuck in panic and dreaded situations, we want our best friends to be with us. Ta-da….here he comes, just like a jinni. The only difference is that here we don’t have to rub the Magical Lamp. Stress always accompanies us when we get stuck in these situations. Final and the most liked about quality we observe in our best friends is that even if they are not physically present with us, they are always connected with us mentally. And you know what, stress entirely bestows this quality. You can be cent percent sure about it. In fact, stress is one step ahead of all of them. He is capable enough to affect our physical and the mental health both at...

Before starting any journey, one has to know the destination.  Without a destination, the voyage is incomplete.  Let us assume that we have a set of skills. However, until we don’t know what to do with those skills, they are good for nothing. It’s like living life without a purpose. Goals are essential to move forward in life. Moreover, they help us in harnessing our energy in the right direction. Subsequently, they result in productivity from our efforts and energy.  Goals help us realize our true potential. We come to know about where we stand today and what needs to be done to raise our standards. A goal not only helps us in measuring our progress but also helps in maintaining our focus. A goal oriented person never gets distracted.  Moreover, when we subdivide our goals into small targets, it excitingly motivates us and keeps up our motivational level. Therefore, it is vital to set a goal and work for it.  

No, you are not. You are just going through a rough phase in your life. Maybe, you are overthinking in matters which do not require much of your attention. It also might be the case that you are going through the process of self-realization and self-actualization. Remember, nothing hits you harder than the process of self-realization and self-actualization. Do not try to overdo things. Do not expect too much out of you. Things will happen. Let it take its time. Everyone has their good and bad times. You need to respect the time zone. Try to indulge in any productive work. It will keep you away from thinking. Remember, most of the times, overthinking because of idleness is the cause of negativity. It is equally important not to fear the unknown. Welcome it. Don't fight with it; Face it. Apprehensions are also the cause of worry. Always remember that most of the time, the problem is not the Fear, but 'The Fear of Fear.' It is also imperative to take pride in whatever you do. Try to do whatever you feel. Moreover, it is equally important to feel whatever you do. Feelings are the essence of staying happy, which are evoked and revived by mediation. Meditation keeps you away from apprehensions and negative thinking. Moreover, always express whatever you feel. Speak out then and there to flush out negativity. Retaining negative emotions inside you is a definite cause of negativity, where you start taking everything in a wrong sense.    

Expectations might push you towards your goal, but sometimes they hurt you. Yes, expectations hurt terribly. Well, the people expecting out of you might close to you.  It is because of the closeness with them; you want to fulfill their expectations. As a result, you get overburdened by those expectations. Eventually, what happens is you start believing in the notion of others rather than own self. One thing you need to realize is, if these expectations are not allowing you to breathe freely, these are not your expectations from you. The foremost thing you need to do is explore your inner self and find out your core competencies and the areas of your interest.  Undoubtedly, our loved ones want the best out of us, but sometimes they forget that every individual is unique. Try to make them realize your aspirations, your core competence, your passion and things which you love to do. You need to speak out. Make them a part of your dreams than to get carried by their expectations. If those people expecting from you love you and genuinely care for you, they will understand you. Hang on; there is an another set of individuals who expect from you. They are the people who impose expectations just to hurt you or to hold you back. They are neither your family members nor fall in the category of your friends. They are those people who have not done anything in their lives and hence cannot see others progressing. Please avoid such people and say a big “NO” to them. You owe nothing to such people. Avoid them. One more thing, your expectation should become a reason to push you to achieve your goals rather than to hurt you. It is your life. Never waste it by living it for others.