|| Do Good Things and Talk About It ||

What a positive statement I have ever heard! I was fortunate to attend the World Hearing Forum, which recently took place at the WHO headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland. There were over 150 participants from 70 countries, representing stakeholders working towards promoting healthy hearing in their respective countries. The attendees, comprising government officials, representatives of various organizations, institutions, and non-profit organizations, engaged in numerous group activities to exchange information. During the forum, we were tasked with brainstorming the best ways to create awareness among the public so that more people could benefit. Many participants shared insights, and one hearing-impaired individual in a group discussion mentioned an inspiring statement: 'We have all overcome the challenges of our lives, and with the scientific revolution, we now have numerous solutions available to address hearing issues. Good things are happening, so we must talk about it.'

I was truly amazed to hear such a statement. It reminded me of how, when a small child learns to walk or talk or achieves small milestones, we become excited and thrilled. Similarly, when positive things happen in our lives, if we share them with others, they can inspire and encourage others to work harder. Today is a great day—it's my birthday. Also, one of my clients shared a life secret with me, emphasizing that happiness lies in treating every day as if it were your birthday and celebrating it. Since then, I've been learning positivity from my clients and special people who have come into my life, inspiring and encouraging me to do better. I have never failed to mention the valuable lessons they've taught me.

Always believe that something wonderful is going to happen. Many celebrities and the new world of so-called influencers share positive things with us, and we eagerly await them. However, these positive experiences or actions should inspire us, not instill insecurity, jealousy, or fear of failure. They should help us change our mindset and learn to go with the flow, but in a positive manner. Today, as tourists, we were walking on the streets of Rome. We approached another tourist to take a picture of us, and she happily agreed. During our conversation, we discovered that she was American and, upon learning we were Indians, she expressed her love for our festivals, especially the Holi festival, and admired our cultural values.

Later, we encountered her again at another tourist site. She shared that she was in Rome to pursue a master's in tourism and her next project involved studying the heritage of India. Having gone through a divorce after 25 years of marriage, she felt that if she had embraced cultural values like those in India, her marriage might have survived. It made me reflect on the fact that while the Western world acknowledges the values embedded in Indian culture, we, as Indians, sometimes tend to follow Western ideals. I vividly recall receiving a humanitarian award at the American Academy of Audiology platform. My intention was to portray a positive image of India, emphasizing its cultural richness, rather than highlighting its challenges. I believe that as Indians, we should refrain from incessantly complaining about the government, politicians, celebrities, or the economy. Instead, let's focus on speaking only about the positive aspects of India, emphasizing our high cultural values and deep spirituality that is ingrained in all of us.

When we talk about India, another powerful tool we possess is the Bhagavad Gita and the stories of Lord Rama and Lord Krishna. During the Ramayana, when Hanuman and his team were helping Lord Rama build a bridge with rocks and mountains, Hanuman lifted the mountain called Giriraj (Govardhana) Parvata to place it on the bridge. However, Lord Rama commanded him to leave everything and join for the final rituals. Hanuman had to leave Govardhan Parvata, and it got upset as its own karma had not yet been utilized for the great divine work of overcoming adharma. In response, Lord Rama felt the depth of Govardhana, committing it to be present at all times in his next incarnation as Lord Krishna. This showcases the depth of good values that still exist among us in reality over the years. Our ancestors have left many good things for us; let's continue talking about them.

In our World Hearing Forum, there was a hearing-impaired person who was a professional photographer and had a little difficulty in speaking with correct pronunciations. Other participants found it challenging to understand him, but he never missed an opportunity to speak. He effectively conveyed his message, and as other people perceived and encouraged him, he offered his photography services to capture all the highlights. Eventually, he became a noticeable personality throughout the forum. I believe almost every participant must have interacted with him personally. Sometimes, just making an attempt to speak good things can elevate you to a higher level of success, as I learned from that special individual. As individuals, we may hesitate to share on bigger platforms, but if we do good things, why hesitate? True...

During my trip, I also visited the Leaning Tower of Pisa and the Colosseum in Rome, Italy. These structures, remnants of old civilizations, have strong foundations that have withstood the test of time. They are recognized worldwide as two of the Seven Wonders of the World. I explored museums in Italy that housed beautiful sculptures from ancient times. The government here takes great care to preserve these remarkable architectures, sharing them with the world, attracting numerous tourists. What I observed is that although these monuments were built with different purposes in ancient times, spiritual gurus have provided them with a spiritual connection. They have communicated the profound depth of spirituality among people through these monuments, contributing to their survival. Contrastingly, our heritage is slowly vanishing.

The time has come for us to understand and start speaking positively about our country, acknowledging the good things done by individuals and society at large. Together, we can ensure the survival of our cultural values and heritage. Speaking positively about our nation will be a boon for all of us. I have started doing so, and I continue every day. What about all of you? Let positive statements and positivity keep growing...