Map of Life

Life's Lessons - Joseph Mattappally

Motivational stories teach us valuable lessons in life, so are lost attempts. Throughout history, inspiring examples were effectively used to motivate people. Nobody is complete and everybody needs boosters in every phase of life, something to lift them up and make them smile. Inspiring messages, people and situations have a vital role in our life, provided we decide to respond the moment we feel for that.

If we propose to go out for a pleasure tour, somewhere far off, don’t we check the place map? It would be great if we have a map of life that could give us helping tips throughout the journey of life. Appropriate motivating messages fixed at critical junctions of growth in life might make a map of life for a successful person. Quite recently, I got a surprise mail from one of my friends, who work in a reputed firm. He was nothing special, as I knew him, but he could rise to the status of a senior executive in the company, he worked. I attributed his fortune to inexplicable twists in life. His letter read, ‘It has been nine long years since I had been in this company. It is with mixed feelings that I tell you that I have decided to initiate my own business in my home city. Mr. Praveen Rathod is replacing me and please offer him all the support you had been gracefully giving me till date. I will still be in my seat for another two more weeks, just to help him settle down comfortably. Living in this city and working with the company has given me a lot of unforgettable experiences. I sincerely thank you for all that I have lovingly received – they definitely make my adventures more colourful.’ 

I could imagine how carefully he was treasuring each minute experience he had in his life, all in hope of a unique adventure of his own. Definitely there could have been moments of shock and awe in his life. But his words are that of gratitude and his attitude is that of acceptance. He is sure to win in life; such is his revealed ability to focus on the ‘present’. It seems that he has a clear map of life, made of experiences and inspiring episodes.

It is said that ‘any man who can drive safely while kissing a pretty girl is simply not giving the kiss the attention it deserves.’  I like to say that you can do anything, but not everything. The basic thing is to learn to be in the present where you are, giving all to whatever you’re currently doing. There only you will be able to get motivated. Focused energy is power, and it’s the difference between success and failure. It appears to me that my friend takes all achievements as mile stones, not as mountain peaks. In his life, past glories do not outweigh his future dreams. Without being complacent, he enjoys the adulation, respect and comfort that success brings. Blessed are those who relax and relish all past experiences at each landmark in life. They always set the bar higher and higher. They find inspired at every moment of life; they fall motivated at every word they hear.  

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