|| Efforts Are Better Than Promises ||

 || Efforts Are Better Than Promises ||

The year 2022 is coming to an end, and the next one, 2023, is about to start. The past three years, from 2020 to 2022, have been extremely challenging for every single person living in the universe. So many individuals suddenly left our universe due to deadly diseases that appeared on this planet and could only be the result of human error. However, I have a question: if there are other species in this world, why haven't they been infected by this deadly virus? Even if some of these other species are going extinct, this is due to human error rather than disease. Where are we making a mistake? What is it that is having an impact on us as humans? We should all consider and analyze this. We are fortunate to have been created as humans because God was generous enough to endow us with a brain that allows us to think brilliantly.

We develop from small newborn babies to responsible adults. God worked hard to create the universe, and we humans also need to make efforts so that he feels like giving us birth again. When we go to the temple, especially during difficult times, we make a lot of promises to God and to ourselves, saying things like, "I'll do this and that if everything works out for me and my family," but how much effort do we actually put into putting those promises into practice or being consistent with them? Instead of making empty promises, I believe that now is the time to put effort into our relationships, kindness, health, and responsibility as human beings in this world. 

Arjuna once questioned Lord Krishna, "As you say, we must perform good deeds for our dharma. But how do you determine that what you did is good deeds?" Lord Krishna so emphatically emphasized that good karma is created when you are kind to someone and then completely forget about it. However, bad karma is created when you are kind and then expect anything in return. When you go above and beyond for someone out of fear, it is also karma; but, when you act with confidence, that is better karma. Karma exists counting five parameters, i.e., either you serve your country, which only real soldiers do, who without any thought process give away their lives to protect our country; karma also happens when some humans re born with the thought of being kind to others; karma also happens due to circumstances, like in this difficult time so many people made efforts to give donations. I've heard that there were 2000 trusts when Pandemic ruled, but thanks to human efforts, there are now about 6000 in all of India. Karma can also result from past activities, such as the genuine actions of our freedom fighters who fought to win our independence. Karma also occurs when we make an effort to provide resources for people, as our current scientific revolution is doing.

To do real good karma Lord Krishna has given Arjuna a beautiful narration written in the Bhagwat Geeta that itself shows how important it is for us humans to put in efforts to survive in this universe rather than making promises. Soldiers take an oath in the form of a promise before going on the field, and they work hard to fulfil it. What about other humans? Or humans who become politicians to serve their country? Or as an employee of any business? Or to be someone's life partner when getting married? Or after graduating and promising ourselves to act professionally at all times, when do they begin to assume responsibility for their families, especially their parents, who have worked very hard to provide our happiness in terms of our health and wealth? Do you really believe that the average individual on the planet puts forth their best effort?

The marriage season is in full swing. People have not enjoyed weddings due to the pandemic for three years; thus, numerous marriages are planned. I saw a lot of parents going above and beyond for their children's weddings in order to keep the promises they made to them. Kids in today's generation are also very excited about getting married, and we can see this in the many different ways they decorate, prepare, and choose their wedding dresses, as well as on social media. Sometimes you just have an intuitive sense of what is best and how to identify someone who possesses a trait that we can emulate. There are a lot of choices and collections. The younger generation also chooses various locations for proposals, bachelorette trips, and weddings. It's especially fascinating to observe when celebrities are involved. And it's sad when you see them getting divorced and separated after a few months or years. I believe we work really hard to create beautiful marriages, but how much more work do we put in to maintain such relationships?

In order for this to happen, parents invested their hard-earned money. They work hard to ensure that their children receive the best education possible throughout their lives. Let's focus on the Pandavas and Lord Krishna as examples of our ancestors. Who received the finest education at that time, and how did they apply it? to maintain dharma, and what is the purpose of our education? losing patience, wanting to work simply for financial gain, competing for prestige, placing little value on responsibilities, living in the selfie culture, and many more. Lord Rama left his kingdom and made a sacrifice for his brother on the advice of Mother Kaikeyi. Their education had taught them to be modest, but where are we with our education now? Being abusive to one's nation as well as one's parents, partner, family, and community. Do we genuinely try to appreciate our parents and the education they gave us? Imagine neglecting your parents and not considering their efforts after spending a lot of time and energy on your schooling and wedding instead of merely deciding to end your marriage.

Just recently, one deaf kid and his parents came to my clinic. We had given hearing aids to that child about a year ago, when that child was not speaking a single word. Now, at this stage, the child is 7 years old, and in this one year, he started speaking in sentences and very clearly, as the kid had received hearing aids, one of which was digital and the other according to his requirements, with the efforts of the donor, teacher, and parents. Mother started crying and said, "I was not able to imagine that my child would speak, but now I can just visualize that my child will grow like any other normal individual human being." Now, the reason I told you this story is because it shows that the combined efforts of professionals, digital devices, technology, parents, children, and teams can change the lives of many children.

I hope that in this new year, we all make new resolutions to keep promises to Mother Earth and to survive on Mother Earth, we put efforts to survive our nature, survive our relationships, survive kindness, and also survive our faith in the Almighty. The most important effort one can make is to be positive, and I enjoy spreading positivity.