Five Pillars of Personal Growth: Lessons for a Better Life
Every lesson learned is a step forward on the staircase of self-improvement.
This article, enriched by the lessons from Gauranga Das’s ‘The Art of Focus,’ blends these teachings with my personal experiences to provide a unique take on these valuable insights. For further details on ‘The Art of Focus,’ follow the link below.
The art of focus by Gauranga Das
1. Supportive Balance
Maintaining a balance between sharing and giving space is important in relationships. It means knowing when to offer support and when to step back and allow others their personal time and independence. A good balance helps relationships thrive, ensuring everyone feels supported.
A few months ago, a family member of mine passed away. Most of my friends were understanding of my situation. Instead of calling me immediately after the incident, some texted me and said I could call them whenever I was ready to talk. This experience made me realize the importance of timing in relationships. It taught me that there is a time for active support and a time to respectfully provide space, allowing for personal grieving. Their approach demonstrated empathy and respect for my need to process my loss in my own time
2. Clarity of Purpose
If you don’t have a specific goal or purpose, you’re more likely to be distracted by things that don’t matter. It’s important to concentrate on helpful and positive thoughts and avoid negative or useless ones to avoid distractions.
We went on a holiday long back, during a time when smartphones weren’t around. So, carrying printed copies of flight and hotel details was essential. However, due to our lack of planning, we forgot to bring these documents. I remember how we ended up at a railway station, searching for a computer center to print out what we needed. It might sound a bit crazy now, but at that time, it was a real lesson in the importance of proper planning for me. This experience highlights the significance of setting clear goals and maintaining a positive mindset to avoid distractions
3. Gratitude Experience
Humility is being grateful, which means recognizing and valuing the contributions and kindness of others, acknowledging that we don’t have all the answers or do everything on our own, and being willing to learn from and appreciate others.
A family member of mine passed away a while ago, and I learned that I shouldn’t dwell on the past. There are still many family members who show their love and support for me, for whom I’m deeply grateful. If I keep thinking about the one who is gone, I won’t be able to fully appreciate and focus on the loved ones who are still with me and who mean so much to me. This experience taught me the importance of humility through gratitude.
4. Challenging Tolerance
Tolerance is the ability to remain calm and accepting even when faced with difficult situations or people who may be unpleasant. It means not letting these challenges disturb your peace of mind and being ready to live with them.
When my son was around 3 months old, I learned that he was a special child. In the beginning, it was quite challenging for me to accept his condition, and I did feel agitated. However, I didn’t show my agitation to him or my other family members because I knew that if I was upset, it might influence the rest of the family negatively. So, I chose to be tolerant and focused on understanding my son better. Over time, I became his closest and best friend. This experience highlights the importance of tolerance and patience in difficult situations.
5. Association Impact
Being around bad people can make others think you’re bad too, even if you’re usually good. For instance, if a nice person spends time with a group that misbehaves a lot, people might start to think that person isn’t well-behaved either, even if they haven’t done anything wrong.
Take for example a friend of mine who’s living abroad. She has a cousin known to be a womanizer. One day, she saw a guy in her neighborhood who was friends with her cousin. Even though this guy generally has a good reputation, my friend started to question his character simply because of his association with her cousin. This judgment was made without truly knowing him, highlighting how easily one can be misjudged due to the company they keep.
To conclude, I'm not an expert, but embracing a few life lessons has enhanced my growth and helped me navigate life's challenges with empathy. Let's all grow together. Have a happy journey, and please leave your comments below.
Your engagement till the end is truly appreciated. Until next time, stay well and keep learning.
