A  Better Me

Our life does not get better by chance, it gets better by change. Life is not just to waste during every passing day. It is to live better every day. We need to promise ourselves that we will improve everyday as a person. If we think we are already the best and we can not do better, that is a wrong perception. There are multiple ways of making oneself better, but self-appraisal/self-analysis/self-introspection is one of the most recommended ways that is given here in the form of a short story.

A little boy went into a grocery store, reached for a soda carton and pulled it over to the telephone. He climbed on the carton so that he could reach the buttons on the phone and started punching in the phone number. The store owner listened to the conversation that followed.

The boy asked,” Mam, can you give me the job of cutting your lawn?”

Woman,” I have already someone to cut my lawn.”

“Mam, I’ll cut your lawn for half the price of the person who is cutting your lawn now.”

Woman responded,” I am very satisfied with the person who is presently cutting my lawn.”

Boy,” Mam, I’ll even sweep your curb and your sidewalk, so on Sunday you will have the prettiest lawn in your area.

Woman answered,” No, thank you.”

With a smile on his face, the little boy replaced the receiver. The grocery store owner, who was listening to all this, walked over to the boy and said, Son, I like your attitude; I like that positive spirit and would like to offer you a job.”

The little boy replied,” No, thanks, I was just checking my performance at the job I already have. I am the one who is working for that lady I was talking to!”

It helps us to be proud of our accomplishments and candid about our weaknesses. Try not to compare yourself with others who are either skilled or inferior in talent and capability than you. In the first case, you will feel miserable and in the latter, you may become arrogant and overconfident. So, try to compare yourself with yourself. To do so, ask these questions:

Am I better than I was?

How can I be a better person than I am today?

Am I doing my work honestly?

Am I using my time wisely?

Am I an amicable person?

Am I taking care of myself physically?

Am I able to control my emotions?

Am I achieving the goals, that I’ve set up for myself?

However good we are, we should always keep an eye on our performance and keep on checking if there is any scope for improvement. It is important to increase one’s self-worth as it is directly related to self-confidence. So whatever you want to do with your life, but make sure you are not becoming a burden for yourself and for your loved ones around. If something is not right internally you need to speak up, go inward and share the feelings by asking for help, so that you don’t end up messing your valuable life for nothing. Life is a beautiful medium to express your hidden potential. Explore it, question it and do wonderful things. Be happy for what you have and try to utilise it to  your  full potential to innovate and create something meaningful and wonderful.

“ When you think everything is someone else’s fault, you will suffer a lot. When you realize that everything springs only from yourself; you will learn both peace and joy.”    ― The 14th Dalai Lama

                                “BE BETTER EVERYDAY.”

 

 ― Mrs. Nirmala Dalal, TGT English and Counsellor, Birla School, Pilani

 

*The views expressed in the blog are those of the author.