HOW TO LIVE
LIVING ONE DAY AT A TIME
By
VIKRAM KARVE
Nowadays there
is an “information overload” of self-help advice – there are numerous self-help
books, if you Google on the internet you will be deluged with a surfeit of
self-help websites and blogs, if you switch on your TV you will see Self-Help
Gurus bombarding you with advice (in fact there are dedicated self-help
channels, spiritual and religious). All this information overload leaves the
seeker confused.
Many persons
barely start on one self-help strategy before they are induced by another one.
Like the saying: “Too many cooks spoil the broth” – it the same with self-help
techniques – too much self-help advice confuses the seeker. That’s why I prefer
to stick to one simple principle that appeals to me, apply it meticulously for
a few days, examine the results, and if it works for me I follow it throughout
my life.
It was in the
year 1974, in July 1974 to be specific, when I had just entered the third year
of my five year B. Tech course in Engineering, that I read my first ‘self help”
book – HOW TO STOP WORRYING AND START LIVING by Dale Carnegie. I had bought the
book at the inimitable Taraporevala Book Store Mumbai.
Those days,
while on our way to college, we used to come down from Pune by the morning
Deccan Queen, keep our luggage in the Cloak Room at Mumbai CST (then known as Bombay VT) Railway
Station, spend the day loafing around in Fort, Colaba, Curchgate etc, do some
window shopping, browse books, see a movie, enjoy some good food, and then
board the Calcutta Mail (now Mumbai – Howrah Mail) at night.
I was passing
through testing times, a rather difficult phase of life, and tended to worry
about my future. That’s why probably the title of the book “How to Stop
Worrying and Start Living” appealed to me and I picked up the book. Later, in
the hostel, I read the book, and found it very practical and simple in its approach.
As I told you
earlier, this was my first self-help book (though I used to regularly read the
works of Swami Vivekananda which were inspirational in nature and from which I
derived immense motivation).
I started
reading Dale Carnegie’s How to Stop Worrying
and Start Living and immediately applied the first precept to my life: LIVE
IN DAY-TIGHT COMPARTMENTS.
I learnt how
to live one day at a time and soon I
stopped worrying about the future.
Forget the
past and don’t speculate about the future, just think of today. This is how I
do it.
Every morning,
the moment I wake up I recite my Morning Shloka (taught to me by my late grandmother):
कराग्रे
वसते लक्ष्मिः करमध्ये
सरस्वति ।
करमूले तु गोविन्दः
प्रभाते करदर्शनम् ॥
समुद्र-वसने देवि, पर्वत-स्तन-मंडिते ।
विष्णु-पत्नि नमस्तुभ्यं, पाद-स्पर्शं क्षमस्व
मे ॥
Karaagre Vasate Lakshmi Karamadhye
Sarasvati,
Karamuule Tu Govinda Prabhaate
Karadarshanam,
Samudravasane Devi
Parvatastanamandale,
Vishhnupatni Namastubhyam
Paadasparsham Kshamasva Me
The
front part of the hands (the finger tips) is credited to Goddess Lakshmi, the
Goddess of Wealth. The middle part or palm is credited to Goddess Saraswati,
the Goddess of Learning and the Root (the part of hand near the wrist) to
Govinda. So, every morning, one should have a reverent look at one's hand which
represents sincere labour. I bow to Mother Earth, who has mountains and jungles
on her body and whose clothing is made by the ocean. The wife of Lord Vishnu,
please pardon me for touching you with my feet.
After reciting this morning prayer I close my eyes and continue to
lie down in bed and plan for that one day – yes, I decide what I am going to do
“today” – then I get up and Carpe Diem
– I seize the day and make the most of it.
Living in day-tight compartments will enable you to get rid of
your worrying habit – this technique will also help you get rid of other bad
habits.
Suppose you want to quit smoking. Just promise yourself that you
are not going to smoke “today” and keep your promise. Do this one day at a
time, day after day, and soon you would have got rid of your smoking habit
forever.
It is the same with quitting drinking or getting rid of other
addictions – just do it one day at a time. In the morning, just tell yourself
that you are not going to drink alcohol “today” and keep your promise. Do this
every morning, one day at a time, and soon you won’t remember the last time you
had a drink.
Living in day-tight compartment, one day at a time, works wonders –
you can take my word for it. Every morning is a new day, a new life – so make
the most of it – then hit the bed and go to sleep, forget about the day passed,
and wake up to another fresh new day.
It may be apt to recall these words from Mahatma Gandhi’s
favourite hymn LEAD KINDLY LIGHT:
Keep
thou my feet; I do not ask to see
The
distant scene — one step enough for me
Don’t look too far ahead, just “one step” is enough – yes, one
step at a time, one day at a time. That is the best way to live.
I am embedding this hymn below for you to hear. Before you go away
please click the link below and hear the hymn LEAD KINDLY LIGHT – listening to
this melodious song will have a soothing effect on you.
HYMN - LEAD KINDLY LIGHT
1. Lead, kindly Light, amid the encircling gloom;
Lead thou me on!
The night is dark, and I am far from home;
Lead thou me on!
Keep thou my feet; I do not ask to see
The distant scene—one step enough for me.
2. I was not ever thus, nor prayed that thou
Shouldst lead me on.
I loved to choose and see my path; but now,
Lead thou me on!
I loved the garish day, and, spite of fears,
Pride ruled my will. Remember not past years.
3. So long thy power hath blest me, sure it still
Will lead me on
O'er moor and fen, o'er crag and torrent, till
The night is gone.
And with the morn those angel faces smile,
Which I have loved long since, and lost awhile!
Dear Reader - Please comment and let us know your views on how you like to live your life.
Wish you a worry-free and stress-free life full of health and happiness
To order your COCKTAIL please click any of the links below:
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Dear Reader - Please comment and let us know your views on how you like to live your life.
Wish you a worry-free and stress-free life full of health and happiness
VIKRAM KARVE
Copyright © Vikram Karve 2012
Vikram Karve has asserted his right under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 to be identified as the author of this work.
© vikram karve., all rights reserved.
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About Vikram Karve
A creative person with a zest for life, Vikram Karve is a retired Naval Officer turned full time writer. Educated at IIT Delhi, ITBHU Varanasi, The Lawrence School Lovedale and Bishops School Pune, Vikram has published two books: COCKTAIL a collection of fiction short stories about relationships (2011) and APPETITE FOR A STROLL a book of Foodie Adventures (2008) and is currently working on his novel and a book of vignettes and short fiction. An avid blogger, he has written a number of fiction short stories, creative non-fiction articles on a variety of topics including food, travel, philosophy, academics, technology, management, health, pet parenting, teaching stories and self help in magazines and published a large number of professional research papers in journals and edited in-house journals for many years, before the advent of blogging. Vikram has taught at a University as a Professor for almost 15 years and now teaches as a visiting faculty and devotes most of his time to creative writing. Vikram lives in Pune India with his family and muse - his pet dog Sherry with whom he takes long walks thinking creative thoughts.
Vikram Karve Academic and Creative Writing Journal: http://karvediat.blogspot.com
Professional Profile Vikram Karve: http://www.linkedin.com/in/karve
Vikram Karve Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/vikramkarve
Vikram Karve Creative Writing Blog: http://vikramkarve.sulekha.com/blog/posts.htm
Email: vikramkarve@sify.com
AMAZON
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B005MGERZ6
SMASHWORDS
http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/87925
Foodie Book: Appetite for a Stroll
If your are a Foodie you will like my book of Food Adventures APPETITE FOR A STROLL. Do order a copy from FLIPKART:
http://www.flipkart.com/appetite-stroll-vikram-karve/8190690094-gw23f9
About Vikram Karve
A creative person with a zest for life, Vikram Karve is a retired Naval Officer turned full time writer. Educated at IIT Delhi, ITBHU Varanasi, The Lawrence School Lovedale and Bishops School Pune, Vikram has published two books: COCKTAIL a collection of fiction short stories about relationships (2011) and APPETITE FOR A STROLL a book of Foodie Adventures (2008) and is currently working on his novel and a book of vignettes and short fiction. An avid blogger, he has written a number of fiction short stories, creative non-fiction articles on a variety of topics including food, travel, philosophy, academics, technology, management, health, pet parenting, teaching stories and self help in magazines and published a large number of professional research papers in journals and edited in-house journals for many years, before the advent of blogging. Vikram has taught at a University as a Professor for almost 15 years and now teaches as a visiting faculty and devotes most of his time to creative writing. Vikram lives in Pune India with his family and muse - his pet dog Sherry with whom he takes long walks thinking creative thoughts.
Vikram Karve Academic and Creative Writing Journal: http://karvediat.blogspot.com
Professional Profile Vikram Karve: http://www.linkedin.com/in/karve
Vikram Karve Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/vikramkarve
Vikram Karve Creative Writing Blog: http://vikramkarve.sulekha.com/blog/posts.htm
Email: vikramkarve@sify.com
© vikram karve., all rights reserved.
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