My Reflections on Healthy Living.

We human beings are subject to a lot of things and one of those aspects is the realization of being right and wrong. This aspect makes us somewhat different from all the other species of animals. We are supposed to be the most intelligent and enlightened of all living creatures on earth. When anyone deviates from this norm one is not worth living a full and honest life. This earth is a great meeting place for all healthy, honest, hardworking, happy and hearty people. It is at this great meeting place called the society that we are able to differentiate the right from wrong.

Even if we get it wrong at times we should keep trying to make our wrongs to teach us the rights and our rights to show us our wrongs. We should always try to be the ‘I’ in LIFE so that we could clearly see the difference between the right and the wrong. Thus we would always be able to appreciate each moment of our life that we were given to enjoy. We need to be loyal with our people, fair in our words, deeds and thoughts and efficient in our daily activities. That would complete our life.

We as enlightened human beings should always try our best to sincerely understand everything and everyone around us. We possess the necessary intellect and understand most matters in life, yet deep down we fully know that there is much more to living a healthy, peaceful and enjoyable family life than just intellectually understanding everything and everyone. Everyone is ignorant in some field and we are no exception. Whenever and wherever we notice our ignorance we immediately accept it as our downfall but we should not stop there but endeavor to improve our faults. If all of us begin to think like this, then this world would be a much better place to co-exist peacefully.

The very moment we come to realize that we do not fully understand a lot of things that affect us in life then our search for more knowledge commences and we begin to live a happier life. In fact we then come to accept uncertainty. Part of our problem remains that we want to be certain of our uncertainty. This has been the hardest episode of our modern living. The more we come to clarify our uncertainties the greater our general knowledge develops for our healthy living.

We are just passing ‘this way’ this one time and therefore any good that we may do or any kindness that we may show to anyone has to be done now and here. We cannot defer nor neglect this important aim or mission of our living because we may not pass ‘this way’ again. There may not be a second chance, so we should be determined to make the best of this coming. It would be very pleasant if the rest of the society begins to understand this simple philosophy. Consequently, let us all decide to preach a gospel that we should try to be compassionate and kind to others and to ourselves.

If we are compassionate and kind with ourselves then we would easily look after our health, wealth and general wellbeing. Then similar actions and reactions would be easily dished out and given for others as well. Peace, prosperity and progress would easily prevail within us, our families and our respective societies.

It is believed that the greatest good would certainly come to all of us if we began to fully understand the Who, What, Where, Why and How of our living. This task is necessary for every one of us but it will take time to realize and comprehend. However, once we have achieved this objective then our success in all our endeavors would be forth coming. We need to grab all the existing opportunities to gather our mental as well as physical strengths in order to activate our potential talents and deactivate our existing weaknesses. This proactive action will make us come alive with all acceptable human qualities.

We must love our own self properly first before we can give our love to anyone else. Love is a feeling that is self generative and if one can generate it for oneself then it will become very easy to give it to others. It is human nature and our internal wish to love all but we must first start by loving ourselves. Sounds selfish but it has value for healthy human living. If we learnt to love ourselves we will be able to pass that compassion to everyone around us. We will love our body, our soul and our environment, so love for everyone else will generate automatically.

Whenever we are doing something that is coming from within, it does not feel like work or task but feels like a ‘vacation’. Instead of draining us and making us tired, it simply energizes us.  This would really help us to be on an acceptable path and cull out a peaceful journey for our future. Thus we would develop a support mechanism within our family, with our faithful friends and with our teachers and our learners who would all contribute to constantly enrich our family life. No man is an island and we should never profess to be one either.

As soon as an appropriate realization develops within us we would be enlightened to begin to give our services freely and openly to all who need it.  Let us learn to give to others what they really want and what they need. We must find ways to make others feel good around us, help people to find their self confidence and self worth and above all to help people discover their own genius. As soon as we begin to give to the needy we would be on a good path in this challenging world to proceed to healthy and peaceful living. This is a definite need for all of us.

My greatest struggle has been to live in this shifted consciousness and not to go back to my old deeds, needs and way of life. I realize that being ‘other centered’  might never happen but if I can remember to touch people, move them to discover who they are and inspire them to go after their dreams and believe that they are bigger than who they think they are, even once a week consistently, then I would consider myself sincere and purposeful. I am happy that I am doing the things right for a change. I know we all can take these simple steps in our life time. These steps are necessary but they are not easy and instant. Practice makes us perfect and proper practice will make us a healthy, wealthy and wise human being.

Earlier in life I was doing things for gaining self appreciation, success, prestige and fame etc but the day when I had a shift of focus I have begun doing things differently. It is about giving in many cases. Giving love, compassion, happiness, ideas, advice and ease of doing things to others is now making me happier. I have seen that this shift of paradigm has enabled me to work differently, think of alternatives, remain happy without worrying about what I get in return, gain more pleasure and listen to the needs of others. I feel good and this reflects into my good health. I listen carefully, I read comprehensively, I think well and above all I act wisely when the need arises.

I now realize the true meaning of what Mahatma Gandhi once said, an ounce of practice is worth more than tons of preaching. Rather than standing on a pulpit to preach I practice my beliefs. Many of these beliefs have been gathered through interaction with common people. Many of my ideas have sprung from my days as an active teacher, a human resource personnel and an education administrator. Some of my reflections have come from managing my family and me.

Nothing is ever difficult and laborious if we keep trying and believe in the power of persistence and hope. You all can do whatever you set your mind on and have your firm determination to perform yourself in life. Many things are difficult to do but with constant effort, hard work and proper planning most things will fall in place for a healthy living.

Dr Ram Lakhan Prasad

Retired Education Administrator and HR Consultant.

Brisbane Qld March 2013