DATED – 26th December 2015

I love listening to this song “Frozen” by Madonna from the album ‘Ray of Light’. The first sentence teaches me a brilliant life lesson. It says, “You always see what your eyes want to see…” It suggests to me that invariably in any situation, I conveniently see what I wish to see. I don’t necessarily take a 360 degree view of the circumstances.

Few examples out of our lives seem to resonate with these first lines –

• The doctor gives you some suggestions when you are ill. But you choose to follow only those that you wish to
• People will keep suggesting a few things to make your business more profitable. But you seem to listen and implement only those that you want to follow
• When an elder tells you not to trust a person so much, you seem to have an answer ready saying – they don’t understand the new world. Hence, what you are thinking and doing is perfect
• The fitness trainer will always tell you to avoid certain food if you wish to lose weight. You workout religiously but don’t put a break on your food habits. You cheat your mind by saying – I already burnt so many calories today, I deserve this food
• Your friends suggest that you should not go for this trip because it not worth the money spent. You conveniently overlook their advice saying they are not adventurous enough
• There are enough reviews to suggest that the car is not good enough. But just because it appeals to you, you go ahead and buy it. Three months down the line you regret your decision
• Your teacher has told you time and again that someday your anger will destroy you. You always had an excuse that you just can’t control your anger, until it actually causes a relationship loss
• Enough people have suggested you not to take up that course abroad. It might not be relevant in the future and worth the money. But your excitement to study abroad is so high that everyone looks like a fool who is against you
• You like someone and want to get married. When experienced people tell you a few things that you need to think on, you prefer to ignore them since you are so blinded in love. To you, ‘your love’ is just flawless
• When you don’t want to go for a movie that your wife has been insisting on seeing, even if there is one bad review you point out only at that forgetting the other hundreds of good reviews
• There might be tens of good things about your friend. But just because he has done one thing wrong, you tend to crucify him and are ready to break the relations with him

Vis-à-vis my life –

There are times when I become lopsided. In a situation, I start looking only at the negative side. But fortunately I become aware of what I am thinking / saying that very moment. I just tap and correct myself and look at the situation from all angles possible. It helps me become empathetic in any situation. It has helped me tremendously in building great relationships. It has also saved me from taking any decisions, which I would have regretted today.

I am not saying even for once that overlook the not so good in people around you or the possible worst scenarios. Be aware of that too. Look at the good and the not so good, think over it, and then take a wise decision. Don’t be lopsided. But don’t be a hypocrite. This will help you become a balanced person.

As I write off this blog, I am drawn towards listening to Madonna’s song… My lips are already murmuring… “you always see what you eyes want to see…”