If we observe our dat-to-day affairs, we note that we keep on doing certain tasks mechanically, without even bothering to think about them, due to the very fact that they have become a part of our lifestyle.
AWARENESS
Man has lived in fear-it is a time to put a full stop to it.
Humanity needs a new dawn, a totally new vision.
Our Mental Status
Our mental status always reflects the trends of our mind. We act according to our mental status and it is directly controlled by our subconscious mind. As the condition of our mental state gets older, deeper the impressions get impregnated with the passage of time. A state occurs in our life when we are not ready to accept the changes from the routine. Our habits are the reflection of our mental status. At times, it apparently appears that the person is trying to shirk the responsibilities, which is true at certain period, and he is successful in doing so. If we observe our friend and relative circle at a glance, we come to know that they all possess different habits.
“ Bad habits reveal our Inferiority Complex.”
—Swami Dayanand Saraswati
Some people possess good habits in excess, while some people have bad ones. Many times we come across persons having jolly nature. At times most of the habits of certain people become a headache to others.
In short, our nature on the whole reflects our personality. We can guess a person’s personality by observing his habits carefully. In western countries, experiments are being conducted on the habits of the people, leading to the analysis of their conduct to form a straightforward opinion, especially when it comes to the character of a person or when he is involved in a crime.
You may recall the much hyped scandal of the USA, involving Monica Lewensky and President Bill Clinton. The habits and behaviour of the President were instrumental in formulating the opinions, which led to find him guilty of the crime.
In the opinion of Seneka, “Whatsoever we learn, we learn it from our life experiences rather from school.”
According to Bollver; “ In my opinion, the best lesson in this entire world is the one, which is picked up during a conversation with an intellectual personality.” Franklus opines, “One has to spend a lot of time and money to gain, but stupid people are unable to learn as they can only preach, but not prove their character. Those people who cannot understand the wise lectures of others, what else is left to gain.”
Beecher has said, “There is no such work, which does not give more than a hundred times profit to mankind. In the eyes of God, not a single good work is selfish, but only for the benefit of humanity. In spite of always thinking of his profits, the businessman still thinks good of others.”
Once upon a time, there was a cobbler who wasted his entire day gossiping about politicians and politics. So to compensate for his loss in the day he decided to work in late hours. When he readied himself to begin his work, he heard the cry of a naughty boy, coming from behind one of the closed doors, saying- “Cobbler, O Cobbler, what work will you do in this darkness, wherein you wasted your whole day sitting idle and gossiping?”
When the cobbler narrated this incident to one of his friends, his friend replied that he should have slapped the boy. The cobbler replied that he did not beat the child; rather he had left the work and brooded over the child’s words, and conveyed to him that in future, he would never give an opportunity to him to comment. The child’s voice became the prophecy of the Almighty and it became a guide line for the rest of his life. We all learn that we should never shirk our day’s work and leave no job unattended for the following day.
Thus the cobbler left his bad habit of sitting idle and gossiping and became a successful entrepreneur. At later part of his life, this cobbler became a famous writer and a scientist too. Once there lived a book binder, who earned his livelihood by binding children’s books. One day, he came across a paper lying across the book, on which was written. “Keep walking, keep progressing, whatsoever difficulties and problems you may face. They will be solved, with your progress. Keep walking; it is going to be daybreak, and in your path of progress happiness shall keep coming regularly.”
This small piece of paper was a copy of the letter written to a friend quite some time ago and the book binder made this as his motto of life. This book binder became a famous astrologer of his time. He conveyed that in the path of progress those lines were his guiding stars. The name of that astrologer was ‘Orago’.
Miracle of Habits
Once a juggler was performing his art in a village. A large crowd had gathered to witness the acrobats of this juggler. In this crowd two thieves were also watching his performance, and were wonder-struck by his acts. They thought if we could have the company of this juggler, our job would become very easy as the man could climb tall buildings like a monkey. Thinking so, they kidnapped the juggler the same night and took him along, to rob a Haveli.
On searching the spot, they asked the juggler to climb up the building and open the gates, so as to enable them to enter in order to rob the house. The juggler kept standing unmoved. Both the thieves persuaded him to do the needful, at which the juggler replied, “Where is the drum beat? It is due to the miracle of my habits, on drum beats.” Saying so he looked upon the thieves.
Live with reverence, with great respect and gratitude. You have not earned this life; it has been a sheer gift from the beyond. Feel thankful and prayerful, and take as many bites of it as possible and chew it well and digest it well.
According to our Vedas, inspiration is given to adopt good qualities for the welfare of humanity.
Om Vishwanidev Savitur Duretanne Parasuva Yadh Bhadharam Jann Aaa Suv. –Rigveda(5-8-5)
O God, the Almighty, the Creator of this universe, grant us the strength to work for the welfare of humanity, mankind, by instilling good qualities and by removing our bad habits and sins.”
By virtue of good habits, even an ordinary person at times is able to perform extraordinary deeds, whereas wrong habits are sufficient enough to demoralize an able person and lead him onto the path of destruction.
The development of habits, good or bad, is totally controlled by us. We can develop our habits as per our wishes. When a certain task is performed on regular basis, stage is reached where it becomes a habit. We should constantly observe our habits and required changes should be inculcated as and when required.
Kinds of Habits
On observing our habits we notice that a web of different kinds of habits is built around us. Most of these habits are related to our health. The continuance of such habits is directly responsible to our health related problems in the last part of our life. People with bad and destructive habits are not accepted in our society.
Chewing tobacco, taking liquor, smoking cigarettes and taking drugs are dangerous to health. Initially, it begins with a curiosity, but at later stages this leads to the destruction of personality and career. Generally, our habits are deep-rooted with our nature and manner.
In spite of belonging to good families, certain people are in the habit of abusing regularly, telling lies, unwanted talks, always of suspicious nature; such persons are never successful in achieving honourable posts in the society. A stage comes, when every person including their friends and close relatives, shirk their contact. A simple life only can give respect to a person.
As a matter of policy, one can know the family background of a person by his conduct and behaviour, from dialect, the country or province, from respect (the affection), from eyes (the inner feeling of heart and patience during difficulties). The nature of a person can be judged by his company.
As one cannot call it a fast, if no food is available; similarly on being handicapped at an old age, the presence of good habits in possession has no meaning.
A poet has rightly said:-
“ Dar Jawani Tobha Karthan Sistae Paaglmbharee;
Waqate Poeri Gurgay Jal Meshvadh Paakbaaz.”
It is better to leave our bad habits in the youth itself and to lead a pious life; it is the nature of a saint. In old age even the evil wolf also lives like a simple sheep. Most of our habits are attached with physical activities, viz sucking of thumbs by the small children, brooding of the shoulders in adults, nail biting, squalling eye-lashes, etc. Some people are in the habit of cracking their fingers during an interview or while having a conversation. There are other people who keep on putting their fingers in nose, ear, etc, or pick their teeth with an awl-pin, etc. Such habits never leave a good impression on others. Many a time, it so happens that we are on the verge of achieving success, but the repetition of any such bad habit leads us to failure.
“ Nagri Nagarasavya Rathesavaya Yatha,
Savyashanivasavya Meghvi Kntyeshu Vahityu Bhavat.”
(Charak Samhita Sutra 5-103)
“Just as the watchman takes care of the city and the chariot driver in manoeuvring the chariot, by remaining vigilant and cautious, similarly intellectual persons should be cautious in performing physical exercises.”
The environment we live in, the way we utilize our time, and the people whose company we keep, all have a deep and everlasting impact an our mind and we are used to it. In other words, we can say that all these become our habits. At times we are prone to such situations, which accidently become a part of our daily lifestyle. We have to remain alert and cautious so as not to became a slave of any such habit, which may prove to be harmful in future.
Think over Your Habits
It is very easy to pick a habit, but it is the most difficult part to get rid of it. Many a time, we come across certain circumstances wherein we feel that we should be like others. We normally adopt habits, from day-to-day incidents occurring in our lives. The basis of outlook does not change, with the change of the problems whether big a small. Ignorance will not make any difference in our day-to-day chores. We think that should any big opportunity arise to show our capabilities we will perform on that occasion. We are sadly mistaken that we shall be successful. In case we are able to take care of petty things of our life, the larger issues will take care of themselves. There comes a time, when we lose our impression over others, while we tell lies, on petty issues,which ultimately turn disastrous. Slowly, the people around us are able to judge our shortcomings and we lose the grip of our impression. Those persons who are desirous of remaining victorious, they should always be cautious in exhibiting their responses, in accordance with the circumstances. Because in reality our habits are the key factors in the building of our character.
Changes in Habits
Practically it is not possible to be in the good books of everyone as long as we are surrounded by bad habits. Under such circumstances, who would not be desirous of inculcating new habits. When we think of leaving certain habits, we face resistance initially, but after a certain period, we find that we are progressing on the path of victory. We can change our habits. We can also get rid of our bad habits, while adopting good and new habits. This leads to the increase of our personality manifold. Psychologically, getting rid of a bad habit, and adopting a new habit involves a similar act. Many a time, we wish to get rid of our bad habits, but we are unable to do so, as we are not actually prepared for this act. Most of the people are of the opinion that they are unable to get rid of their bad habits, but with an honest approach of strong will power and deep determination, one can win over his bad habits.
It is Never Too Late
Many a time, we come across certain people who are constantly complaining, ‘What can be done now?’ ‘It is not possible now.’ ‘It is beyond our control.’ Such persons are to be strictly told that they should wake up immediately. Shunning bad habits and adopting new ones requires no special occasion; you just have to be vigilant and you will realise that what is good and bad for this world; you have started to experience the same. It is never too late to change ourselves. It has been rightly said:
“It is never late to wake up.”
In case we have to win over others, there is no excuse of age and opportunities available.
Important Tips to Leave Bad Habits
- Firstly, recognise and segregate those habits, which you want to shun.
- To change your habits, bring change in your attitude.
- Try to self-analyze yourself to find out your good and bad habits.
- You may declare your resolution of leaving the bad habit amongst your friends and relative circle which, in return, would make your belief stronger.
- Vow taken silently just remains within ourselves, and it is very easy to break such determination, which leads to the decrease in self-confidence, whereas an open declaration it is difficult to break.
- Do not take help of lame excuses, to continue with your bad habits.
To inculcate good habits, and to leave bad habits, simultaneously, a strong desire and sheer discipline is required. What has to be done, and what is to be left over, both situations demand a strict disciplinary action of mind. Good or bad habits are just habits; there is no doubt that one cannot endure them. The question is related to strong determination only, which helps you get rid of the same.
Keep in Mind
- If a situation demands’ speak good of others and their qualities only, or keep mum. In their absence, one should not backbite. In other words, it leads to self-appraisal only.
- Beware, never speak ill to the children and the servants in front of the guests. It gives them the opportunity to speak ill of us.
- Many a time, most of the people are in the habit of swearing, at all times and in every situation. It reflects a hollow personality. One should avoid such situations.
Principles of Truth
A man should not perform any act during the day, which does not allow him to sleep well at dusk, nor should he undertake any such task during night, that makes him feel ashamed during the day. During the first eight months of the year, endeavour should be to earn maximum, so that the balance four months may be spent in happiness. One should cultivate such habits and manners in his youth, so that his old age may be full of happiness and prosperity. Our endeavour during the whole life should be to work honestly so that we may live in peace.
(WHAT DO YOU THINK)
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(YOUR DECISION)
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ACTION PLAN
- What do you mean by habits?
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………………………………………………………………………………………. - Explain the meaning of mental state.
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………………………………………………………………………………………. - Write your habits.
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………………………………………………………………………………………. - Write three bad habits you wish to leave.
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………………………………………………………………………………………. - Write any two good habits which attract you.
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………………………………………………………………………………………. - Where can one find a meaningful life?
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………………………………………………………………………………………. - Why does man want to remain a slave of his habits?
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