Tamed Thoughts

It was one of those early summer vacation days, During the school days, I was too lazy to try any new recipe for the children. I felt like cooking something different as I promised them earlier. I never recommend or prepare any fried food for breakfast. But that day was different and I woke up early. Also, I was in a mood to prepare and taste a fried item. The initial preparation was all done. The cooking vessel was kept on the stove; the batter was checked for the right consistency; the oil was bubbling at the right temperature and everything was all set. I poured a ladleful of batter in the oil. The rice balls were swelling with pride. 

After few seconds, the color turned golden brown and the balls were ready to be taken out from the oil and find a place in the hot pack. I used a spatula for flipping the balls to ensure they cook well on both sides. Unfortunately, the oil splashed on my hands and I was making a big hoot to let my family know that I am up to something. After a few minutes for the second ladleful of batter also I tried to flip with the spatula. It was then, I sensed something was not working out.  and wondered what could be the reason. Then I figured out that the spatula was creating the problem. I replaced the spatula with a silver fork and tried flipping the rice balls. It perfectly worked out and I was able to finish preparing the breakfast in no time. 

A small shift in the use of right spatula made all the difference. Sometimes we try doing the routine and expect a different result. To tame an elephant the trainers chain them for an initial couple of years. Once the elephant is tamed, the chains are usually released. The elephant thinks that it is still chained and does not run or move away from its place. Similarly, we are often bound by our thoughts and we don’t aspire to try anything new in our life. We continue to assume that we can achieve anything by following the same routine every time. Some cannot handle a shift or change in schedule. In our work environment too, if we think about bringing in a difference in our everyday work, it will make our work interesting and challenging. 

Instead, if we keep doing the mundane work, chances are that we may get bored too easily. Avoiding the usual route to the office, if we try going by a different less traffic route, we may reach office early. But we never attempt to try an option as we feel very comfortable with our regular route. I just want to say that if we do the same routine we will get the same result. So why expect a different output when the input is always the same. Try to do anything differently but do not expect an immediate change. At least you are trying to challenge yourself and think in a different manner which will help you tap millions of opportunities. Invent yourself to be different. 

Jumping fun

Pooja holidays were much fun. I hope many had gone out for vacation. I assume those who stayed at home had fun filled days with your children. It remains the same with me. We had a fabulous time together. 

We talked, laughed and entertained us.  It was one of those days, my little 5 year was jumping from the sofa. Initially I didn’t notice what he was doing. 

When I focused my eyes on him, he got down and then he moved two books in the front and started to jump. I asked him, “What are you doing?” He said, “I am keeping the books as my target and I am planning to jump further ahead of the books”. I was astonished and excited.

After watching him doing jumps continuously I instructed him, not to do the same for a long period of time. He immediately turned to me and said, “I need to do my best jump”. I have no words. I kept quiet for few more minutes.

As he started to play again, I wondered at myself, am I keeping a goal and doing my best for the day or the day just goes on like every day. This question is definitely a take away for me to ponder on the thoughts and work at myself. Anything can be learned from anyone as long as we are willing to learn. Do you all agree?