A mindset that is set into our minds..

Efforts..Results...Rewards..

A year and a half back I attended this very interesting 3 day course at Bangalore. A session there touched upon this mad race of being an achiever at every walk of life. A struggle that probably started at school and will only end when we breathe our last breath.

A new addition (!!?) to this thought is looking for rewards in everything that we do. Struggles must bring results and results are only measured through rewards. A thought which in a very subtle way tells us that if there is no reward it is a waste to take up the action.

Recently, I was invited by a group of friends to participate in one of the clean area campaigns organized on the eve of World's Environment Day. Despite the scorching heat (thanks to Global warming and Tropical Summers) I was excited as we had plans of selling about 4 dozen of green, delicate saplings and also get a few areas cleaned.

Couple of days before the actual event I was sitting with my regular group of friends at office for lunch. Amidst the usual gossips I shared the news of my participation and how excited I was to be a part of it. Since the drive also involved a few colleagues from my company one of my friends asked "Will all this help you in your performance rating"? A moment of silence and I replied, "Not everything that I do is for ratings!".

We left the lunch table to return to our work stations but my mind stayed there. The words echoing in my ears. With rising prices and soaring desires, nothing that we have in our pocket seems to be enough. Every action needs to have a monetary value. Every emotion is measured. Perhaps healths are insured but our minds need an insurance too! I read once on a wall "look at an opportunity thinking what's in for me?!" Yes, true but how will the world be if we all lived only for ourselves and rewards were the only motivating factor.

Peace & Contentment are one of the most desired state of being today. We meditate, pray, listen to Enlightened men words and yet reach no where. At times I feel I don't belong there. I spend my time with children I teach. The real peace and contentment is in serving. Take an hour off - Teach, Help, Love - Serve. And yes, you'll be rewarded!