Art of feeling Empowered

 Depression, anxiety and stress is on rise. Its fast becoming part and parcel of modern life style. I sometimes can’t help myself from wondering why inspite of living better life than our previous generations (comfort wise), we are always whining about things? We all are in some kind of rat race and are endlessly chasing things, which we ourselves don’t really know, but we are chasing them because we don’t want to be left behind in the race. Our inability of being in control of our lives also adds to this anxiety and stress. One doesn't realize that there are many forces at work and not all are under our control. Smart way is to fix inside rather than trying to fix outside.One should focus on changing one’s attitude and perception.
 Let me tell you a story. Once a man was walking, he met a person and enquired, what he was doing? The man replied rudely, can’t you see I am cutting stones. He moved little further and asked another man what he was doing? He replied dispassionately and gloomily that he is trying to earn a square meal for his family by doing whatever work is given to him. He walked little further and asked another man what he was doing? He replied with great zeal and enthusiasm that he was building a magnificent and splendid temple. All these three men were doing the same thing but what determined the excitement and satisfaction they drew from their work was their perception i.e. the context in which they view their work.
 Appreciation is a critical part of being happy and feeling fulfilled. We need to change our outlook. There are many external factors which influence our lives. These factors are beyond our control. Gita also highlights this through the concept of Karma and Gyan Yogi. According to it, Karma is in one’s hand and not its fruit, so one shouldn't lament over the results. Karma is how one reacts to their environment. Once one realize that there are many forces at work, not all of which are under one's control then he stops blundering through life and feels empowered. Such person is called Gyan Yogi. Quality of life depends more on the intentional activities i.e. cognitive, behavioural and conscious activities which one choose to do rather than the circumstances and situation one face.