Designs of the Heart

Usain Bolt defied logic when he stormed into three sprint world records at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. The Jamaican is determined more to build on his legacy. The world’s best are competing in various events at London and yet to be the face in the crowd, you’ve got to achieve what no other man has ever done before. Gone is the aura of invincibility. Bolt said in an interview, ‘A lot of people have come before me… but this is my time. This will be the moment and this will be the year, when I set myself apart from the other athletes in the world.’ True to his words Bolt easily won the defining race of the London Olympics. He was slow out of the blocks but once he got his giant strides going he was unbeatable once again. It was his coach who told him to stop worrying about the start and concentrate on the end. In London he proved that even with a slower kick out of the blocks, he is still in a class of his own.

               No one knows what he can do unless he tries. If we fail we should do it again. Examine old ways and drop those which are not helpful and redundant. There is no need to be dismayed as to how hard it will be. There is a sea of positive possibilities and so we have the power to choose our line of action. Life gives many opportunities to transcend sadness, pain, uncertainties, disappointments etc. with love, purpose and passion.

               Every human being has a deep desire to be appreciated.  When we travel through the jungle of life, we give abundant opportunities to others to dominate or rule us.  Yardsticks and norms are held important in every sphere of life. Recently, there were a few changes in our work schedule leading to a shuffle in our duties. All accepted the allotted work except for a few, who found great satisfaction only after a session of grumbling. I firmly believe that when people accept additional responsibility, they are actually giving themselves a promotion. By doing the job right and on time, every employee can be his own BOSS. I have heard many people quoting the saying, ‘I don’t mind being pushed as long as I can steer’. The employees prefer freedom and autonomy when given the jobs they enjoy doing most. It helps them to gain new experience, improve their performance and prospects.

               Unlike humans, animals have the ability to find their way through the alien landscape of the earth. Animals as diverse as the European Robin, the Sea Turtle, the Brown Bat, the Caribbean Spiny Lobster and the Red Spotted Newt have magnetic compasses. Birds also migrate between nesting areas separated by thousands of miles with pinpoint accuracy. The cues are both visual and magnetic. It is also said that they have chemicals within them that gets triggered and act as receptors.

               We too have such character traits that help us when we handle a new responsibility or any new work. Psychologists say that the traits of an individual combine to form a personality that shows great consistency over time. The French philosopher Michel Foucault studied how everyday practices enabled people to define their identities and systematize knowledge. He attempted to show that the basic ideas which people normally take to be permanent truths about human nature and society change in the course of history.

               When we connect with our commitment and our positive passion, we choose to actively live life for all it’s worth. We have to consciously tell ourselves not to find an excuse, instead find a way. I have found it myself in many instances when I was trying to figure out how to put things off to a later date. We can use our intelligence and time to get it done now. Let go of the urge to complain about how things are. Choose instead to be enthusiastic about how our contribution can make a real difference.

               Enthusiasm can change mediocrity into excellence. Many of us have the ability to arouse enthusiasm in others. Such a creative moment is born or released when you share it with others.  Express gratitude for your good fortune in the way you live by making a worthy use of every precious moment. The words that we speak affect people in different ways. Don’t worry what happens to the words (or result of our actions), whether they have fallen on rocky, thorny or fertile ground. Whatever is destined will happen. So for that particular moment we were the instruments of God.