Instructions and checklists are not needed to do simple things

Owing to the pandemic caused due to corona virus, we are “advised” to wash our hands regularly. We Indians, traditionally eat using our hands. So automatically, we wash our hands before we start eating. People who use spoons, do not find the need to wash their hands, neither before eating, nor after eating. So, the germs that they have collected during the day are accumulated in their hands. While touching their face, they are inadvertently transmitting the germs, which they inhale.

We Indians leave our footwear outside the door of the house before entering the house for obvious reasons that our footwear contains elements of dirt from the road; it could even be someone’s spit. When we walk around the house wearing those shoes, then we are bringing all kinds of germs into the house. So, when the instructions to wash our hands several times during the day came in, we Indians did not find it strange, nor was it difficult for us to follow as it was part of our routine.

A lot of Indians have adopted the western culture of eating and ablution habits. But now, we are coming back to our roots, wherein our Indian culture and way of life are being resorted to after being scientifically proven these are the best methods. Some of such habits are-

1. Eating using our hands (benefit of rasas – look out for another upcoming blog on this space)

2. Washing legs and hands after using the toilet

3. Having separate rooms for bathing and toilet

4. The style of Indian style toilet has greater benefits than the western style commode

Is it possible to go back to living the traditional Indian way of life? 

Goal versus the journey

Through the growing up years, we were told to have goals and work towards them. I have managed to achieve 4 out of the 5 goals set during the last semester of my MBA. Over the years thereafter, I read philosophers and happiness psychologists advocating not to have goals, but enjoy the process, the journey. If you have set goals, will you be happy once you have achieved them? There is a sense of satisfaction of having achieved 80% of the goals that I had set for myself. But can I say I am happy?

I realized that I am living so much in the present. Consciously, I have let go of the past, not just the bad memories and forgiving those who I “thought”, or “felt” had “hurt” me, but also the past glories. Forgetting the negatives of the past has obvious benefits. But forgetting or minimizing the “aha-ness” of the past glories was equally important. There are 2 reasons

- One would keep thinking – “Wow, I did this” and get into a mode of self-glory and complacency. This does not help in moving ahead in life.

- At this stage in life, while nearing the golden year, I am not out to impress anybody with the certificates from the past. I don’t need to prove anything to anybody.

The only reason I would reflect on the past achievements is to feel blessed that I had the opportunities to experience them.

Let’s enjoy the journey, the goals will come through.