The entire world watched with bated breath, the astounding victory of chess Grandmaster Gukesh, the youngest world chess champion from India. The young champion rearranged the coins back on the chessboard, amidst tears of joy on winning the highest honour in the game of chess, joined his hands in gratitude to the board, looked up and thanked the Almighty, and finally lifted up his hands in acknowledgement of his victory. He remembered to place his chair in the right position before he left the place.
The media was busy reporting the money earned by the chess champion, but my mind was only thinking about the disciplined life of this wonder boy. Dedication and devotion to the game was his default state. Respect and reverence for the game was his default state. A grateful heart and unshakeable faith in Almighty were his default state. Consistency and perseverance were his default state. Resilience and relentless striving were his default state.
These were all his attributes- the fragrance he emanated. That is the reason he became the youngest chess Grandmaster in the world.
By default, are we positive or negative? Our default state either takes us very far in the path of success in life, or cuts short everything positive.
I know of people who have had nothing, and by the sheer virtue of their hard work, have risen to positions of eminence, as their focus was always on building their career, which aided in their meteoric rise, and hence the benefits of a life of luxury.
They are not people about whom I have read in the pages of a book, but those whom I have been associated with.
Their strength was their ability to use their potential beyond one's imagination, work extended hours, sweat it out, set goals, draw timelines and work with single-minded devotion. Hence, they transcended poverty and made it to the top of the chart.
So, by default they are hardworking and not lazy. The contrary has been the story of those who have been lazy.
Anything that we are able to do effortlessly, is our default state. But a state of effortlessness itself is sometimes achieved only through effort.
Gratitude does not come naturally to all. So, the school asks you to begin by writing a line of gratitude in your journal in the school hand book. Helping others does not come spontaneously for some of you, so it has to be inculcated in you. Hence, the school involves you in the social contribution drive. Left to you, you may not choose to be punctual to school. Since it is a rule in the school, you come on time. A punctuality certificate is also given if you are punctual every day of the month, in appreciation of your effort.
Understanding the need to develop a powerful mind and to create self-awareness in you, the school has the practice of asking the students to sit in silence every day. In order to build your confidence, intra-house competitions are conducted. Thus, your confidence is built. Respect towards teachers and parents is a very important quality that is driven into you through "Guruvandanam" and "Matru-Pitru vanadanam" celebrations.
So also, the Willpower drive, the Tree of joy, Social awareness programs, the special days, Joy of loving, Bouquet of thanks, and many more.
If you can take time to reflect on what your school insists you to do, though you may sometimes resist it, not understanding the importance of imbibing such values and habits, you will realize one day that the goodness in you, which comes naturally to you, the values and discipline by which you live your life, the competence that is your strength, the happy and loving person that you are, the good Samaritan that you have become, are all your default state because, from your childhood, all these qualities were insisted upon by your school. Simply live by it!
#Thoughtfulthursdays #nsn #nsnschool #mentoring #parenting
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