Two Cents Wiser

To kickstart todays episode, I want you to recite a simple yet powerful thought: “Gratitude turns what we have into enough. It is our gateway to abundance” A simple reminder that our best version isn’t always attached to the pursuit of more, sometimes, it is in appreciating what  we already have.Today, my friends, let me talk about something which I have spoken many times earlier and is very close to my heart- Gratitude in our  Daily Life. This element is nothing short of a magic ingredient that can turn ordinary days into extraordinary ones, our daily routine to enjoyment and our regular tasks to blessings So now, I encourage you to begin our gratitude voyage with little things. How about catching up the sunrise or getting a chance to enjoy your cup of tea in the morning? Such encounters are often overlooked and taken for granted, yet they are small mercies that can improve our day. To keep it interesting, I want you to be part of the Seven-Day Gratitude Journey. It’s a simple, yet a very powerful practice. I want you to find three fresh things to be thankful for each day and note it down. No need to go big, it can be something as small as your cozy bed to sleep in, reading a book on a lazy afternoon , or simply just nutritious home cooked food on your table. I assure you, once you finish this 7 day journey, you will see the world with a new perspective and welcome each day in excitement with open arms . Kindly directly message me if you want to be a part of it and I shall be your navigator and guide through this journey. I got this inspiration from the book Magic by Rhonda Byrne and it has transformed my life by introducing me to the idea of abundance. This book has a 28 day continuous practice, but I urge you to start small, because little by little, a little becomes a lot.  As we come to the end of today’s episode, I want to emphasize that gratitude is a lot like a muscle- the more we use it, the more powerful it becomes. So why not start today, right now, by recognizing something for which you are thankful? Could this quiet moment with our podcast be a little source of gratitude for you?   

When the student is ready, the teacher will appear – Such a simple, yet deep statement….And this quote is from none other than one of our most renowned president…the late Dr APJ Abdul Kalam….a true visionary and leader, popularly known as the Missile Man of IndiaAfter Kalam failed the interview for Air Force pilot in Dehradun — in sheer disappointment he took a bus to Rishikesh and headed to the banks of the Ganga. In his words, he “stood at the edge of a cliff with a lake below”. This was 1957 and his childhood dream of flying a fighter plane had been shattered. That’s when he met the man he would often call the ‘Guru of my life’…The great Swami Sivananda. Sivananda told Kalam: “Accept your destiny and go ahead with your life. You are not destined to become an Air Force pilot. What you are destined to become is not revealed now but it is predetermined. Forget this failure, as it was essential to lead you to your destined path”Here was the teacher appeared, to show the way to a student who had nearly gone astray! Even in the Bhagwad Gita…When Arjun questioned his purpose to go to war, Krishna appeared to guide him to the righteous path. And then, we all know contributions Kalam made for our country…. His work as a scientist in DRDO and ISRO put India’s missile and space programs on the global map. We launched our indigenously made missiles, and satellite launch vehicles… and now we are making satellites for the entire world, at a fraction of the cost of other countries.The word teacher here, is used as a metaphor for ….The right opportunity, the right time, or the correct path. The universe has its divine ways, which we often question ! But infact , those missed opportunities, those unfulfilled wishes, those broken dreams were signs pointing us to a greater, more rewarding and joyous pathMy mom always says “whatever comes your way…is Gods plan, and shaped by a larger hand…Trust it, and keep moving forward ….And yes, I have felt it on multiple occasions that as I moved forward…,God had something bigger, better and more beautiful in store for me

Have you heard of the common phrase, “light at the end of the tunnel” When things get dark and gloomy, .… we look outward for the light to guide us. We look for it like it’s distant, unreachable or hidden. But what if I told you that we all have a light glowing inside us?  This inner light is symbolic of our failth, resilience, the kindness, and the courage that pushes us through our toughest days.And just like a lighthouse stands firm, guiding ships through stormy seas, our inner light reminds us that we have the power to overcome obstacles, to find our way, and to help others find theirs.Remember, each one of us has the power to illuminate the darkcorners of this world.In my own little way I try to light a spark in our lives through my podcast, and I must confess that it has really helped brighten my own journey/ path Imagine every good thing you do is like a spark. It can be something very small, like a random act of kindness or bringing a smile to somebodys face or even leaving the last place you visited cleaner than what it was. One spark may not seem like much, but together, they can light up a whole room, a home, a community, even the world….because little by little, a little become a lot…May the light you leave, illuminate the path for others. 

To manifest something means to make your dreams, goals, and aspirations a reality by believing you can achieve them….. The idea is that by believing you can do something and focusing your thoughts and energy in that direction, you can actually make it happen.Whatever you are today you have created for yourself consciously or unconsciously.Because since you are the creator I want you to design the life you want for your future whether it's a happy family or perfect body or becoming successful or amass tremendous wealth.  You can create it today because your ideas become your belief and your belief drives your action which shapes your future. Remember, you are the artist of your life…

The red car theory states that although red coloured cars are all around us but on a normal day, we will probably not even notice them on the road…however, if you consciously seek and watch out for red cars, you will be able to see plenty of them. In the context of this episode, the red car is symbolic…of the opportunities to be grateful, but we overlook them because we don’t keep an eye out for it. We should try to make this natural, a habit or what I call an attitude of gratitude where we identify areas to be grateful about regularly. To give a personal example, writing a gratitude journal, first thing in the morning, has helped me develop this “attitude for gratitude “ so that I can spot more such red cars on a daily basis.  

If you have an elder in the family, who stays with you, or even close to you …..be appreciative, be grateful ….because, you are blessed.Today, lets travel to what we call the Blue zones around the world in order to unravel, their secret to happiness and their exceptionally long lives. Lets touch upon another such blue zone called Sardinia..a small island in Italy and one of their unique culture pillar and secret ingredient for long and happy living, called “celebrating elders”In Sardinian society…… elders often act as a bridge between the past and the present, a source of invaluable experience and guidance., and there is [an effort] in keeping family together which in turn contributes to their remarkable longevity.  And how, do WE honour them, celebrate them in our daily lives…..1.     By spending more time with them, involving them in family decisions and gatherings….Honoring their presence and wisdom2.     By encouraging their bonding with our children, Whether its storytelling, or a craft, these activities foster bonds and ensure the transfer of knowledge3.     By acknowledging their contributions, either through a simple thank-you, an occasional family dinner or public recognition, make them feel valued and loved.Remember, our elders are not just a source of inspiration—they ARE the essential guides who make us two cents wiser. So, let's pledge to celebrate them, not just today, but every day.   

In today’s episode, we dive into the profound concept of selfless giving, inspired by an article written by Avinash Anand, a happiness coach and a dear friend of mine. Avinash in his piece titled "The Art of Giving is the Art of Living," has beautifully explained what the art of giving means… It means giving joyfully selflessly and without expecting anything in return. He goes on to explain this paradoxical truth about giving, explaining how…. The more you give, the more you receive. If you give or do good deeds without expecting anything in return, the universe gives it back to you many folds over. Heres the link to the articlehttps://www-thebespokediaries-com.cdn.ampproject.org/c/s/www.thebespokediaries.com/amp/the-art-of-giving-is-the-art-of-living-avinash-anandaLet us try to give selflessly, and make that a way of life, and in doing so, enrich not just the lives of others, but also our own. Remember, every small step in this direction inspires others and fuels a larger transformation. As always, little by little, a little becomes a lot.

You dont need to be perfect to help othersStory of a little boy who is hurling starfishes back into the water even though they keep coming back. Every little act of kindness counts, whatever little difference it makes.Because, to make a difference in someone's life, you don't need wealth, beauty, brilliance, or perfection.All you need... is to care.

Each year, millions of people set New Year's resolutions.A study shows that while about 60% of us make these resolutions, only 8% successfully achieve them….and by mid February 80% of these resolutions have been left by the wayside. This striking difference leads us to ponder, why such a gap?Resolutions, can be broken, and then you give up on it entirely….Whereas in an intention, you just deviate for a day, but you can always bounce back. Moreover, with resolutions, you are harsh on yourself for not being able to keep it up, coz it’s a commitment Whereas, with intentions, you are kind to yourself…and you tell yourself, its ok to make a mistake, but my intent is in the right direction.

The takeaways from this year have been many…But some have stood out which have been deeply impactful and have resulted in a permanent change in me….and one of them has been this podcast…My 2 cents wiser, which started as a small sharing, is now a medium to be your guide, to touch lives, to be a part of our collective growth. I am so full of gratitude to everyone who has helped me in this journey of wisdom and self-fulfilment….Thank you from the bottom of my heart, because in speaking and imparting wisdom to you, I listen and grow alongside you So it is with our lives, by helping others, we aren't just being compassionate; we're also nurturing our own environment, which in turn enriches us….for the value of a life is measured by the lives it touches. And those who choose to be happy must help others find happiness-Call it power of collectivity...-Call it a principle of success...-Call it a law of life.The fact is, none of us truly wins, until we all win!!"

Its said that if you want to connect with someone deeply, talk to them about their favourite childhood memory. This episode is about going back to your childhood and re living that favourite memory which brings a smile to your face. Get nostalgic, connect with the ones in your childhood days, look up that old album and share your memories with one and all. It will definitely brighten up your day

Watch this video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nwAYpLVyeFUUse your gifts and skills in the service of others. We are blessed with some skill which is unique to us, but we should use it to serve others and for the goodwill of the world, then it comes back to us in a compounded way....many times bigger and better.  Its a science, call it Karma or theory of reciprocity, the more you give, the more you get. 

Randy Pausch's book "The last lecture" teaches us the importance of living each day fully, and not postponing happiness. Lets celebrate Christmas everyday and not link our happiness with conditions. Let happiness not be the price you pay for success.

The Magic rock is nothing, but your own belief.....Identify your rock and make all your wishes come true

On my birthday, I have touched upon the 7 most important happiness or Bliss of Life. They are called "Jeevan ke saat sukh" in Hindi. These have been mentioned in our scriptures and have stood the test of time. 

When walking through an elephant camp, a man noticed that the elephants were only secured with a small rope that was tied around one ankle. He was confused and wondered why the elephants didn’t break free from the rope, as the elephants were certainly strong enough to do so.He asked a trainer why the elephants didn’t try to break free, and the trainer responded;"We use the same size rope for baby elephants all the way up to adulthood. Because they’re too small when they’re babies to break free from the rope, they grow up being conditioned that the rope is stronger than they are. As adults, they think the rope can still hold them, so they don’t try to fight it."The man was amazed. These animals could at any time break free from their bonds but because they believed they couldn’t, they were stuck right where they wereThis elephant in the story, represents many of us…tied down by the ropes of limiting beliefs, which were formed in our early years or through experiences. But here's the twist-just like the elephant we have gained strength, wisdom and capabilities beyond what we had when those beliefs were formed. It is very important to identify our limiting beliefs so that we can start replacing them with empowering ones.  

Be aware and mindful of whom to keep and let go in your lives. The company of people you keep shapes you and moulds you into who you are today.

Do you know who are the longest living people on this planet? It is a tribe with the most centenarians, which means people who live beyond 100 years? Its from an island in Japan called Okinawa….and the reasons the Okinawans cite for their longevity is their diet, physical activity, genetic traits and most importantly…their social bond with each other.  Even, Aristotle once said, "Man is by nature a social animal." We are wired to connect, to engage, to belong. However, in today's fast-paced world, where we are overwhelmed with information, we're losing something vital - the bond in our social interactions. In our hyper-connected world, we are so obsessed with the breadth and width of connections, that we forget the depth of it. And just like, we get fascinated by the expanse of the ocean, we forget that pearls are only found in the depth of it.  Our lives are not defined by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away. Let me share a personal experience, something similar which took my breath. A few years back, I was going through a rough patch and things had fallen apart in my work as well as personal life.…It was during this time that I reconnected with an old friend, someone I hadn't seen in years…. As we sat down and the layers of years started peeling away, new avenues opened up for the future. He shared his own experiences and challenges, which comforted me because it made me feel how petty my obstacles were. And then he helped open up a new door, something like a door to Alice in Wonderland …. He guided me into running, an activity which I had never been exposed to earlier…. and I was 38 at that time…It was tough, but once I started it, I happened to meet this lovely community of people who I felt was my tribe…They were very similar to me in terms of their interests, inclinations and ambitions…..they are the ones who have stuck around with me and shaped me into what I have become today…  That conversation became a turning point for me and it unravelled a completely new chapter in my life. This one experience taught me an invaluable lesson, that It’s the quality, not just the quantity, which is the essence of human connections. Use the bandwidth of your connection for a deeper meaning, to grow your tribe and find the purpose of your gifted existence.So, as we wrap up today, rekindle an old friendship, deepen a current relationship, or start a new, meaningful connection. It's these profound bonds that make us truly rich in life. Until next time, let's make each little interaction count, going deeper, growing wiser. Because Little by little, a little becomes a lotThank you for listening, learning and liking and have a beautiful day ahead….Bye  

Good morning and welcome to your very own podcast “2 cents wiser” by Adarsh, with a purpose to promote positivity through small incremental changes in our daily lives, so that we can bring out the best version of us.. As I settle down to record my podcast, (its such a stress buster), im looking back at this last week…. It has been a CRAZY busy week for me, and at the end of it, guess what…..I am just, another week olderWhat happened in the last 7 days?? Where did this week disappear??? ….What memories did I make?? I am sure a lot of you feel this burn out often, but how many times do we sit down to find answers to this.  As a child, when we used to get tired or burnt out…Our only solution was to listen to our bodies…Give it sleep, rest, food and recharge…..However, as we have grown older, and shouldered responsibilities, we have chosen to ignore ourselves and self care has taken a backseat. We get so overwhelmed by the grind, that we forget that we need to revitalise ourselves.  The first thing that struck me was that a couple of days ago someone said to me: “Take it easy Adarsh, Be kind to yourself”.  Now, as I reflect on the past week, I am realising the importance of these words, and WHAT they mean. I have always understood the importance of kindness, but I have always focused on GIVING kindness to others. I had never thought about GIVING kindness to myself… What does being kind to yourself mean? It means, self compassion… the ability to show ourselves kindness particularly when things don’t go as planned….and accepting warmly… I did my best under the current situation, I was brave…Its therapeutic, its healing, its magical… For me….The way to rejuvenate is indulging in ME time….Your ME time is just mine, for doing the things I like, things which DESTRESS us….It could be listening to music, reading a book or just sitting and basking in the winter sun….Or spend time with family and friends by playing a board game or watching a movie. This self compassion worked wonders for me, and hence I am sharing it with you.  This week, take a step back, and appreciate the things you like, which make you enjoy the moments and make it worth living.  Charity begins at home and hence, the first rule to kindness is, to be kind to yourself. Your body is your temple, you need to nourish it, revitalise it, so that it releases the right energy. You deserve to feel good. When you feel good, you do good.   As we wrap up today’s episode, remember that being kind to yourself is a necessity, not a luxury. Your relationship with yourself sets the tone for every other relationship in your life. Make yourself a priority and pamper yourself in bits because Little by little, a little becomes a lot. Thank you for listening, learning and liking….Dont forget to be kind and See you again soon