Nurturing Confidence....

There are so many beautiful things around us, but the most beautiful thing we possess is confidence. Even if you are not conventionally beautiful in appearance, carrying confidence within yourself ensures that everyone notices you—not by your face, but by the elegant smile of confidence you wear, the aura you possess, or the goodness of your soul reflected in your deeds. In today's world, especially during this age of scientific progress, this self-assured confidence is essential. Recently, during a visit to Norway, we explored an ice cave. While trekking toward the cave, we came across a stream. Our guide performed impressive push-ups (a yoga posture) without touching the water or getting wet, demonstrating how to drink from the stream. Two men from our group tried it and succeeded. Watching them, I felt inspired to try as well since I practice push-ups regularly as part of my exercise routine. I managed to do it just like the men did, and it made me feel great. What made me even happier was that seeing me try encouraged all the other women in our group to attempt it too, with confidence.

Nurturing confidence becomes a reality when you practice it, feel it from within, and share it with others through your actions. Recently, I was discussing philosophy with some friends when one of them asked, "What is one incident that made you think differently and changed your perspective on life?" Without hesitation, I replied, "It was during a visit to a temple where I came across a poster. It read: When you are born into this universe, God provides for your food through your mother’s breast. So why worry and overthink?" They asked, "You’ve read many philosophical quotes like this, haven’t you? So what was different about this one?" I told them the story of my temple visit and the profound magic of that moment, which transformed my way of thinking.

The caretaker of that temple behaved rudely with us earlier in the day. However, later that same day, while serving food, she had a fall. She personally came to us, apologized, and said, "I didn’t take proper care of God’s devotees, and this was my punishment." This incident made me realize that God does exist, and He has the power to nurture confidence in us through His actions. To nurture confidence within ourselves, we first need to have faith and confidence in God, who created us and sent us into this universe to care for nature and the world around us. It’s similar to how parents nurture confidence in their children by encouraging them with words like: "Don’t worry, you can crawl, you can walk, you can eat on your own, you can learn, you can study, and you can achieve whatever you want in life. Just remember, we as your parents are always with you. No matter what difficulties you face, we will support you." These positive words can make a profound difference in a child’s life. Nurturing confidence begins from the very first day a child is born, with the unwavering support and encouragement of confident parents.

The moment words like if and but start creeping in, everything changes. A sense of insecurity or a possessive nature by parents can alter the entire trajectory of a child's development. I know many parents who constantly worry and remain confused about their child’s growth. They don’t allow their children to eat on their own or even toilet-train them until a certain age. Just as turning their head toward sounds or learning to walk are natural phenomena that children master over time with practice, confidence should also be nurtured in a child naturally. This happens through your consistent, confident, and natural actions as a parent.

If you have read the stories of Lord Krishna, you would notice that, even as a small and innocent child, he faced every challenge with confidence and prompt actions. Despite being young, he fought all the demons sent by King Kansa to kill him, relying solely on his innate confidence. He never needed to prepare for battles or seek advice from his parents about whether to fight or not. While Lord Krishna’s parents often worried about his safety, they also nurtured him to face the consequences of his actions. For example, when he mischievously troubled the gopis by stealing the butter they made, his mother made him answer to them. This teaches us that prompt actions, born from individual confidence, are crucial. Just like how we instinctively react to hot or cold water, these immediate and confident responses shape our ability to handle life’s challenges. Lord Krishna demonstrated this lesson through his actions, inspiring us to cultivate confidence and decisiveness in our own lives.

I love this statement: "Go confidently in the direction of your dreams and live the life you have imagined." This is absolutely possible, but it requires practicing rituals of gratitude and meditation, and elevating emotions like love and joy every day. Practice breathing in and out daily, and have faith in God, trusting that He is always there to guide you. Reflect on how far you’ve come—how you’ve survived and thrived so far with faith in God, the support of your parents, and the help of so many good people in your life. The truth is, we all have the power to transform our lives, our bodies, and our habits, but it requires intentionality in our thoughts every single day. Wow! What an inspiring thought process. Truly, this is a statement that nurtures confidence.

Even in our day-to-day life, particularly in my professional practice, I encounter individuals with hearing difficulties. I observe that they often have a strong desire to hear—driven by a positive purpose (a desire for meaning). They want to hear so they can connect with others (social benefit), feel a sense of balance (ensuring that what they spend will be worth it), and, for some, maintain their social status. By talking to them, understanding their needs, and offering solutions tailored to their requirements, I can help build their confidence in me. This, in turn, boosts their confidence in themselves, reassuring them that they can hear well and lead fulfilling lives.

Confidence is the cornerstone of a fulfilling life, nurtured through faith, intentional actions, and the support of those around us. Whether it is through practicing gratitude and meditation, learning from the divine teachings of Lord Krishna, or witnessing how parents instill courage in their children, confidence grows when we face challenges with belief in ourselves. In professional practice, understanding others' desires and offering meaningful solutions fosters trust and builds their confidence. Each experience, whether it is mastering a skill, embracing failures, or drawing strength from faith in God, teaches us that confidence is a natural phenomenon that flourishes with consistent, intentional effort. Let us go confidently in the direction of our dreams, guided by love, gratitude, and unwavering faith, to live the life we have always imagined.