Ask More, Fear Less: How we think about the choices we make

It is easy to get caught up in following what others do. But sometimes we also need to enjoy the quirks of "thinking" for ourselves.

There will always be specific areas where we wish we could be 100% perfect or that we could take a more balanced view.

Whatever that may be, how we think about the choices we make for ourselves is more important than what we think.

[Also read: Jealousy - Why do we feel it? and Why are women mean to women?]

There's a well-know story about a lady who always cut off the end of the roast as a practice.

When asked by her daughter why she followed this method, she had no answer. She didn't know. She said that her mom always did it and she had just followed it.

She phoned her mom and asked why she always cut the end of the roast. Turns out that her mom only had a small roasting pan and the roasts never fit unless she chopped off the end of the roast.

BUT now: she had a big roasting pan, so why was she cutting off the ends of the roast, like her mother did?

She was following a 'family practice' without ever understanding why.

Arjuna asked. Lord Krishna answered. Lord Krishna didn't say, "You are a sinner who questioned the Word of God." Lord Krishna encouraged Arjuna to ask more.

I can't think of a better example than Lord Krishna to illustrate this point.

Ask yourself "WHY" before every action. Don't follow any practice blindly.

[ALSO READ: 3 SIMPLE ways to add joy to your life & Walking the Red Carpet]

I know, I know, it's not easy.

But still..... know why you choose to do what you set out to do.

I would love to know what factors you weigh in when you make a choice ....it could be anything...buying a new book or a dress or tasting a new dish, visiting a new place, etc.

Do tell me about the process you follow while making choices for yourself. I'd love to hear from you!

Comments

Most LOVED Posts

The Ugly Truth about Caste in Kerala

Many years ago, when I wrote this post on Kerala's caste system, I had not considered that people would start sending in abusive comments about one caste over the other. It baffles me that this is how Indians, all of us, continue to judge each other on account of caste differences. [ READ: Guru Kripa: Powerful Lessons at the Lotus Feet ] My question is - why do you ABUSE any caste or community? I suggest that you read about the lives of great Masters and their stories - none of them judged anyone on the basis of caste. You can read the life stories of Sri Adi Shankara Bhagawadpada, Tulsidas, Jnaneshwar, Namadev, Sri Aurobindo, Sri Ramakrishna, Swami Paramahansa Yogananda, Shirdi Sai Baba, and many more Gurus in Sanathana Dharma. NONE of them endorse these caste hierarchies in Bhakti Marga. Assuming that Guru Sampradaya does not appeal to your sensibilities, do read this new book 'Ants among Elephants' written by Sujatha Gidla, who writes about herself as being bor...

How do you light Deepam at home?

How do you light deepam at home? As a child, I loved watching the ritual of my grandmother lighting the deepam or the traditional lamp at home in the evenings. A sense of serenity accompanied her frail figure as she would carefully straighten every wick, dip it into the tiny puddle of oil and light the lamp. As my grandmother would read out the scriptures and chant the prayers, the fragrance of incense sticks and flowers added depth to the experience. In many Hindu homes nowadays, the lighting of the lamp (or the nilavilakku, as Malayalis refer to the traditional lamp in their homes) is not a regular practice. A lot of people have many questions around how to light deepam at home and which oil to use and so on. An important point to keep in mind - Maintain physical cleanliness and hygiene while lighting the lamp. Wear clean clothes while lighting the lamp. Frequently Asked Questions About Lighting Deepam at Home Collating most queries related to how to light the deepam at home, I'v...

The Secret Wishlist by Preeti Shenoy

Have you ever been banished from your parents' good books because of a secret kiss when you were just sixteen? [READ: Why Japanese Fiction is Becoming my Favourite] Did you spend nearly all your life trying to win back the trust and approval of your parents for that one mistake you made? Have you regretted your marriage that your parents rushed you into and you agreed out of sheer guilt? Have you ever made a secret wishlist with something like "have sex with someone other than husband" on it? Yes or no, don't miss reading Preeti Shenoy 's recently released novel titled 'The Secret Wishlist.' From page one, you are bound to get pulled into Diksha's loveless marriage, her constant adjustments to Sandeep, a husband who expects everything to be done to suit his preference at all times and her need to feel valued as a person. There are so many instances when you would simply grit your teeth and wish that her boor of a husba...

Bhakti: Mirabai's Greatest Wealth

Many of us make the mistake of being 'part time devotees' - of course, we are busy, we have important work, personal commitments and we are too exhausted by it. At the end of the day, we don't even feel like lighting the lamp or praying. Sometimes, we begin to think how does lighting a lamp bring a difference to our already hectic lives? [READ: How Do You Light Deepam and Best Time to Light Diya ] [Image by Julia Volk @ Pexels] As I ponder about this, my view is that the problem isn't with the lamp or the light - the problem is our 'know-it-all' attitude of self-inflicted superiority. Unknowingly, we live in a society that thrives on 'showing off' and less on the subtle aspects of life, the smaller joys and delights of real life. Which is where something as seemingly 'small' and 'mundane' as lighting a lamp becomes ...

Secrets & Lies - A Book Review

We all have secrets. Over years, they become memories, a little jaded, a little faded but definitely there. Lots of memories that are stashed away come alive when you read Jaishree Misra's latest novel, Secrets & Lies , a book that grabs your attention from page one till the end. I The novel revolves around the age of innocence and the growing up of a bunch of school girls who studied in St Judes', one of Delhi's most famous Convent schools with an Irish Principal, Miss Victoria Lamb whom the girls christen as Lamboo. The four girls in the novel are great friends but their dreams are shattered with the entry of a new girl called Lily. Later, they try to move on with their lives, hoping to forget Lily but haunted by her forever. There's Bubbles, who had been fat and bad at studies but hails from a wealthy business family. Her ambitious parents arrange her marriage to Binkie, who is the only son of a multimillionaire in London. What touches your heart is tha...

Petals!

Search This Blog