Dreams….Focus….Reality

Having a dream is one thing…. Turning the dream into a reality is another thing.
The distance between “a dream” and “a reality” is called focus.

We all get inspired by various things or people at different points in life. However, that fire of inspiration does not stay lit inside our hearts for too long.~ Keeping that fire alive requires patience, determination, perseverance, focus and a ‘never give up’ attitude.

Watching a popular singer on TV and wanting to be like him/her is easy. ~ Practicing singing for many years, each day- each night, through sickness and health, without giving up on it –  is difficult.

So many of us, lack the ‘will and focus’ to achieve our dreams. We tend to compromise, accept, adjust to situations, as long as they are fulfilling our basic needs.

Is it so difficult to keep oneself focused?

Why do we say, some people’s talents are God-gifted? And, even if they are, does that mean god will not give any more presents to anyone else throughout his/her life?!!? Is God running short of gifts/talents?

All the people who have been able to make a mark in this world, did not do it by a fluke. They worked hard for many long years ~ It’s said that “Luck favors those who help themselves”.

Imagine, if everyone in the world had the determination to rise to his full potential, wouldn’t we have many more inventions, discoveries, creations and innovations?

Creating something gives immense satisfaction. It provides a feeling of achievement and fulfillment ~ whether the creation is a piece of art or writing or poetry or technology, a story or even a movie!

The thing that stops us from focusing on something is ‘the fear of failure’. We are scared to fail even before we begin! That’s so true for so many of us!

Whoever can conquer that fear and constantly ‘focus’ on his goals, can turn his dream into a reality.
It may not necessarily bring him a lot of money, fame or success ~ but it will provide the satisfaction that his dream has actually turned into a reality – no matter how big or small.

It will be for real! ~ Forever!

Other people will also then respect that reality and appreciate it. The appreciation may or may not matter at that point, because what will matter will be your very own reality.

Dreams-> Focus -> Reality

Secrets….

I read an article on hindu religion which talked about the 5 secrets of life:

1) Birth – How the soul takes a form – the time of birth, place of birth and who shall have a child?
2) Death – This remains a mystery all throughout….
3) Fame – Which work shall bring fame? and which work shall bring shame?
4) Nature – The forces of nature remain a mystery…..
5) Mantra(Hymns) – What are the effects of reciting mantras?

Let’s talk about fame a little bit as it is mainly related to Karma.

There are some good people who are always righteous. These people are considerate towards other people’s feelings and actions. They base their decisions on fair judgement…. YET… they sometimes face criticism by people around them. Righteous people may not always be successful and they may even be tricked by other people into wrong doings.

Does this mean one should not be righteous?

Consider the opposite set of people, who indulge in hypocrisy, injustice and non righteousness. YET they become powerful, famous, successful and are also respected by people around them.

How do you differentiate between these sets of people and the fruits of their actions? Is there any rule book or criteria clearly defined? Who can take such decisions? Who can judge us?

Is it ok to be truthful and be a failure? or should one be a liar if it can make him successful?

Fame comes and goes. Similarly power is very momentary…

What remains permanent in this world (to some extent) are the consequences of one’s actions. And consequences may be different for the doer and the people impacted. It is possible that the doer benefits in the process, even though the other people around him are negatively impacted.
Should the doer still perform an action considering his own personal good? Can he be a little selfish? Is his action recorded anywhere?

Will these secrets ever reveal themselves? How can one achieve a balance between self love and selfless love?

In the Bhagavad Gita (A hindu religious book), god says, “Do not focus on the fruits/ outcomes of your action” – They may be good or bad. Just focus on the action…..For what seems good today, may turn out to be bad later and what seems very bad today, may turn out to be a blessing in disguise….

That is the mystery and that shall remain a secret….probably forever and ever….