“We are responsible for
own effectiveness, for our own happiness, and ultimately, I would
say, for most of our happiness.” As this course slowly winds down to its end and your pen makes its final entries in your faithful diary for this year, it’s time for you to acknowledge that you are indeed a ‘Woman of substance’. You need to understand that whatever you have learnt about yourself and the life you lead is the beginning of self- awareness. A better life beckons you. Many dreams still wait in the wings. Many hungers need nourishment. Many goals are just within your grasp. Many yearnings need to be fulfilled. You need to keep believing that you have the passion, creativity, clarity, wisdom, compassion, strength, and intelligence to create for yourself the life you deserve. You need to have a heart full of gratitude, harmony, joy and contentment to appreciate the order that has kept your life moving in the direction that you want. In the past fifty-one weeks, you have learnt to care more deeply about yourself and by virtue of that, the world around you. You also, by now, have begun to realise that as a caring human being, it is also your responsibility to share with others the purpose and meaning of life as you know it. Response to challenge As you are poised on the brink of a New Year and the end of a wonderful year of amazing happenings, you need to think of ways and means to share your good fortune with others who are in need of a more meaningful life. Think of it as an act of gratitude and service, to give back something of what you have got. This week, set the pattern for the days and weeks to follow for the rest of your time on planet earth. Start each day by writing down things that you could do to improve the quality of the lives of others around you. Make it a point to perform at least one small act of service in a day. This will allow you to discover the amazing potential that you have to add colour to the lives of people. By doing this, you will also be drawing on hitherto untapped resources that you possess. So, now is not the time for you to close your diary. If you have run out of pages, run and buy yourself a new one. By now, I am sure that you would have understood how vital it has become to your existence. Seek out ways and means to help people who are needy. This is the highest form of service you can perform. It can be as simple as sending a meal across to a needy family, or sponsoring a child’s education through some organisation. Have you noticed how a kind word or a smile can make a world of difference? Do it more often. It doesn’t cost you anything. But it adds value to the world you inhabit. Never underestimate the power of listening. Lending a sympathetic ear to a friend or even your neighbourhood watchman can change things. Make maximum use of your resources, time and energy to reach out to people. Share your knowledge of things, even if they are gardening tips. Learn to love and give love. Nothing else will fill your heart. Live the rest of your life with the belief –‘Seek and you shall find.’ Find worthy causes which will benefit from what you have learnt in these past weeks. Above all, have faith. Pray sincerely to whatever power you believe in and watch the small miracles coming alive in your life and the lives of others around you. ‘The end is only the beginning’– How true! For you, for Gita, Shyamala, Vani and all the other women who have been touched in some small way by this course. Your journey has just started. Sail forth with confidence and pride because you are worth it. Keep in mind the ‘helping hand’ circle we talked about at the beginning of the course. Extend this circle to include more people. Keep widening it! And don’t forget to keep ‘The moving finger moving.’ Keep your diary by your bedside – always. |
