Birthday Resolution – on my 63rd Birthday – September 12, 2019

September 12, 2019 – my 63^rd Birthday. 

Yes – I was born on September 12, 1956 – and now – I am 63 years old. 

Here is My Birthday Resolution: 

“I will try my best to “flower” and “bloom” – wherever I am – with whatever I have...” 

Yes – “Wherever God has planted me – I will try to flower and bloom...” 

This is my Birthday Resolution. 

BIRTHDAY RESOLUTION – 12 SEPTEMBER 2019 

Inspirational Introspection

By

VIKRAM KARVE

I learnt more about the Art of Living by reading good literature – rather than from hearing sermons and moral lectures – or from highfalutin philosophy or spiritualism.

One thing good about the Navy is that it inculcated and fostered the reading habit in me.

I read a lot of sea stories and novels like The Cruel Sea, The Caine Mutiny, Run Silent Run Deep, HMS Ulysses, Tales of the South Pacific – and so many more.

One sea novel I like very much is: 

THE CAPTAIN by Jan De Hartog

In this story – the protagonist is a Merchant Navy Officer who is frustrated because – owing to reasons beyond his control – he gets stuck in Tugs whereas he wants to sail in the main fleet.

Seeing his frustration – his Tug Captain gives him a maxim:

“Ou Dieu vous a seme – il faut savoir fleurir” 

which roughly translated means

“You must know how to flower where God has sown you” 

or

“wherever God plants you – there you must learn how to bloom”

The young Merchant Navy Officer takes this to heart. 

He works very hard on the Tug on which he is assigned. 

And then – he works with dedication, sincerity and devotion to duty throughout his career on Tugs.

In due course – he becomes the most famous sea-going Tug Captain. 

And ultimately – he becomes the owner of flourishing company with a huge fleet of ocean going tugs.

Inspired by this book – I too tried my best to imbibe this philosophy in my life – especially in my Naval Career – and – I tried my best to “flower” wherever the Navy posted me.

It is good philosophy to apply in your life:

“Wherever God plants you – there you must learn how to flower and bloom...”

NAVY MOTTO

“LIKE IT” OR “LUMP IT” : If you don’t like it – just lump it

If you do not get what you like 

Then – you must learn to like what you get 

And – you must make the most of it 

Like they say in the Navy:

If you don’t “like” it – just “lump” it.

“Like it” or “Lump it” 

There is another saying I read a few years ago:

If life gives you a “Lemon” – make “Lemonade”.

Yes – when life gives you a “lemon” – use that “lemon” and make “lemonade” – instead of cribbing and carping – wallowing in self pity – becoming bitter and spreading bitterness – and making your own life hell and everyone else’s life miserable.

Like they say in NLP :

There is no such thing as “failure” 

There is only “learning experience”

So – metaphorically – the “lemon” is the failure – and – the “lemonade” is the learning experience.

And this “learning experience” will enable you to “flower” and “bloom” wherever you are “sown” or “planted”

Well – I have tried to follow this mantra: 

“Ou Dieu vous a seme – il faut savoir fleurir”  

When I was in the Navy – wherever the Navy transferred me – to whatever job they assigned me – whether they promoted me or not – I tried not to get disillusioned or demoralized.

And – in my own inimitable style: 

I tried to “flower” and “bloom” wherever I was “sown” or “planted”. 

Yes – I made “lemonade” with all the “lemons” that the Navy gave me.

I am trying to do this after my retirement too – trying to “flower” and “bloom” in the back-of-beyond lonely place called Wakad – on the outskirts of Pune – where God has planted me after my retirement. 

That is one of the reasons you are reading this Blog.

Yes – the result of all this “flowering” and “blooming” is this prolific Blog – and the couple of books I have written. 

Well – I am going to “flower” and “bloom” away and “bash on regardless” with my Blogging and Writing – since – this is the best thing I can do where God has planted me. 

God has given me the “lemon” of loneliness. 

And – from this “lemon” of loneliness – I have made the “lemonade” of my blogs – and my books – and all my writing.

Have a good day - whatever “lemons” you get today – just keep making “lemonade” and enjoy every drop of it.

Sometimes you may feel a sense of “failure” – you may feel that you have “failed” in life.

There is no such thing as “failure” – it is all in the mind.

And still – if you feel a sense of “failure” – think of “failure” as a “lemon” – and make “lemonade”.

Talking of the “lemon” of “failure” – let me tell you one thing that I have learnt from my own life experiences.

Sometimes – failure is good

You can take my word for it.

Remember the maxim:

“Ou Dieu vous a seme – il faut savoir fleurir”  

(wherever God plants you – there you must learn how to flower and bloom)

Apply this to your life – and you will “flower and bloom” wherever you are. 

Well – I am doing this for a long time – and – on my birthday – I resolve to continue to follow this maxim with even more determination.  

I am sure I will succeed. 

Dear Reader: 

Please wish me a Happy Birthday 

May you “flower and bloom” wherever God has planted you.

VIKRAM KARVE

Copyright © Vikram Karve 
1. If you share this post, please give due credit to the author Vikram Karve
2. Please DO NOT PLAGIARIZE. Please DO NOT Cut/Copy/Paste this post
© vikram karve., all rights reserved.

Disclaimer:

1. These are my personal views. Please do your own due diligence while selecting a philosophy of life.

2. All stories in this blog are a work of fiction. Events, Places, Settings and Incidents narrated in the stories are a figment of my imagination. The characters do not exist and are purely imaginary. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.

Copyright Notice:

No part of this Blog may be reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical including photocopying or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the Blog Author Vikram Karve who holds the copyright.

Copyright © Vikram Karve (all rights reserved)

This article is an abridged version of my article posted online at urls: http://creative.sulekha.com/ou-dieu-vous-a-seme-il-faut-savoir-fleurir_469567_blog  and  http://karvediat.blogspot.in/2010/10/ou-dieu-vous-seme-il-faut-savoir.html  and  http://karvediat.blogspot.in/2013/10/learning-art-of-living-from-literature.html and http://karvediat.blogspot.in/2015/11/navy-philosophy-like-it-or-lump-it.html and http://karvediat.blogspot.in/2016/10/insipirational-self-help-mantra.html and http://karvediat.blogspot.in/2016/12/new-years-resolution-2017-i-will-flower.html and http://karvediat.blogspot.in/2017/05/monday-motivation-inspirational-pep.html and http://karvediat.blogspot.in/2017/09/navy-motto-like-it-or-lump-it-if-you.html and  http://karvediat.blogspot.com/2017/12/new-years-resolution-2018.html and http://karvediat.blogspot.com/2018/09/birthday-resolution-on-my-62nd-birthday.html etc

New Year’s Resolution 2019 – “To Do” – or – “Not To Do”

My New Year’s Resolution 2019 is to Make “Not To Do” and “Not To Meet” Lists and follow them to the extent feasible.

Here is how I am going to do it.

Why don’t you try it out too...?

“TO DO” or “NOT TO DO”  –  “TO MEET” or “NOT TO MEET”

My New Year’s Resolution 2019 

By

VIKRAM KARVE 

“TO DO” LIST  

When I was in the Navy – I always had a “to do” list or a “slop chit” (in Naval parlance).

It was standard Naval Practice for Navy officers to carry a “slop chit” in their pocket at all times – especially in work-intensive appointments like those on board Warships and in Naval Dockyards.

At the start of the day – we wrote down all the jobs to be done on the “slop chit”.

When a task was completed – we struck off that entry – and whenever there was a new job to be done – we added that job to the “slop chit”.

The tasks which remained incomplete at the end of the day – we transferred to the next day’s page.

I am sure you maintain such “to do” lists too – nowadays you can maintain these “slop chits” in digital form on your mobile cellphone, smartphone, ipad, tablet – or on your laptop too.

At work – these “to do” lists are “obligations” you have to perform in return for the money your employer pays you as salary.

Sometimes, the “obligations” can be non-monetary too – like marital obligations towards your spouse – or familial obligations towards your family, children, parents or relatives – or a commitment you have made to someone.

In short – “to do” lists are related to “obligations”.

“NOT TO DO” LIST

Now that I have retired – I have a “not to do” list.

Now – for a Veteran like me – there is no need for a “to do” list as far as “work” is concerned.

Once you retire – you don’t work for anyone – you do not have an employer who pays you money – so you have no obligations as far as “work” is concerned.

There is no “job” for you to do – and hence – there is no need to maintain a “slop chit” or “to do” list as far as “work” is concerned.

In most cases – by the time you retire – your children have “flown away” from your nest – so you do not have any parenting responsibilities either.

Yes – even after retirement – you may have some “bare minimum inescapable obligations” – like essential daily chores, paying bills etc.

In India – even after retirement – they hassle you with sundry issues.

For example – all pensioners have to visit their banks in November every year to render a “life certificate” in person in order to prove that they are alive.

Various types of bills and taxes are to be paid, returns are to be filed, banking work has to be done – but you can reduce these to the bare minimum inescapable requirements.

You must try to delegate these tasks to someone else.

Or you can use information technology to do these tasks online with minimal effort.

To put it in a nutshell – once you retire – your aim should be to minimize these sundry tasks to bare minimum.

Now – once you have reduced these so-called “inescapable” tasks to the bare minimum – almost zero – then you will find there is no need to maintain a daily “slop chit” or a “to do list” for these very few “inescapable” tasks.

However – in order to enjoy bliss – you must make sure you do not get tied down in unnecessary “obligations” which will eat into your time (like Parkinson’s Law).

In fact – after retirement – what you must do every day – is to maintain a daily “not to do” list.

Yes – you must maintain a “not to do” list.

“TO DO” or “NOT TO DO” – The Secret of Blissful Retirement

After retirement – you are supposed to enjoy a peaceful and blissful retired life “doing nothing”.

Every person has a different concept of how to enjoy “blissful retirement”.

I like to spend my time reading, writing, blogging, social networking, watching TV and taking long walks – especially food-walks.

Some of my ex “fauji” friends like to play golf every morning followed by chilled beer with their Navy buddies talking of the “good old days”.

There is a crazy guy who is enjoying his retired life indulging in adventure sports – despite his age.

Some like to spend their time indulging in spiritual activities.

Others travel – many take up a hobby – and some involve themselves in social activities.

Everyone has different ideas of “Bliss” – “to each his own bliss” – as they say.

I know what “blissful retirement” means for me.

You know what “blissful retirement” means for you.

Every individual knows his or her idea of “Bliss”.

So – after retirement – “blissful retirement” will be the only item on your daily “slop chit” or “to do” list.

Yes – after retirement – ideally – there will be just one item on your “to do” list – to enjoy “BLISSFUL RETIREMENT”.

Thus – there is no need for you to maintain an exhaustive “to do” list.

Now – you have only one “to do” item in your life – to enjoy blissful retirement.

“NOT TO DO” LIST

In order to enjoy retirement – what you must maintain is a “not to do” list.

Your “not to do” list will include all those activities which impede or interfere with the enjoyment of “blissful retirement”.

Whatever hassles you – those burdensome but unnecessary obligations and activities which waste your time and cause you stress – just put them on your “not to do” list.

I have realized that – after retirement – what you decide “not to do” is more important than what you decide “to do”.

The “not to do” list need not be not restricted to activities alone.

You must have a “not to do” list for people too

Maybe v you can call it a “not to meet” list.

Yes – your “not to do” list must include a “not to meet” list as well.

“NOT TO MEET” LIST

Let me give you a simple example of a “not to meet” situation from my life.

Long back – in the Navy – I once had a “toxic” boss who I did not like.

This boss hassled me – and he induced stress in me.

Our “vibes” just did not match.

Even being in his company was stressful for me.

Now – this boss had decreed that he would have a meeting at 9 AM every morning.

He wanted everyone – including me – to be present.

Since I was working in the Navy – I had no choice but to put the 9 AM meeting on the “to do” list – though I would rather have this painful morning meeting with the boss on my “not to do” list.

In the morning – this boss would ask us about our work – and then micromanage – ordering us to report on progress from time to time – and though I hated it – I had to put all this on my “to do” list – the progress reports which entailed meeting or speaking to the boss – which I hated to do.

So – after meeting the bare minimum inescapable requirement of the morning meeting – I put my boss (and other “toxic” types) on my “not to meet” list – and – I adopted a series of “evasive measures” to discourage the boss from meeting me.

After some time – the boss got the message and he stopped trying to micromanage me or monitor me – he would never call me – unless there was a real emergency.

It is best to put people who hassle you on your “not to meet” list.

Now – I have retired – I am my own boss – and I am a “free bird”.

There is no obligation for me to meet anybody.

I can decide who I want to meet – and who I do not want to meet. 

So now I have a “not to meet” list of toxic people I do not wish to meet.

MAKE TWO LISTS  – “NOT TO DO” LIST and “NOT TO MEET” LIST

Yes – you must make two lists:

1. What you do not want to do – you must put on your “not to do” list.

2. The persons whom you do not want to meet – you must put on your “not to meet” list.

FREE CHOICE – “TO DO” or “NOT TO DO” 

Similarly – just before retirement – I was a Professor – and my “to do” list comprised the lecture assignments and guidance of research work which were an “obligation” – since I was paid a salary.

Now – after retirement – I am often invited to deliver guest lectures and conduct training programs – but since I am under no obligation – I am free to decide whether “to do” or “not to do”.

And – if I decide “to do” – then I do so on my own terms.

WHY WAIT FOR RETIREMENT...?

WHY NOT HAVE “NOT TO DO” and “NOT TO MEET” LISTS RIGHT NOW

I will let you in on a secret.

I had started practicing this “not to do” and “not to meet” strategy long back in the early stages of my career – albeit covertly and tactfully.

How did I manage “not to do” and “not to meet” lists during my career...?

Those tricks I will tell you some other time – but I am sure you can use your ingenuity to devise your own techniques.

For example – in order to make your “not to do” and “not to meet” strategy succeed – you may have to project an “abrasive personality” – and – you may have to practice “creative incompetence”.

As you grow wiser with experience – you will realise that the “not to do” and “not to meet” lists are closely intertwined.

So – you need not wait for retirement to make your first “not to do” and “not to meet” lists.

You can do it right now.

During your career you will have to be a bit canny while practising this – I could do it in the Navy.

Of course – once you retire you can do it brazenly.

So – Dear Reader – why don’t you start right now...?

Every morning – instead of a “to do” list – you must make a “not to do” list.

Of course – like I said earlier – the “not to do” list must include “not to meet” list as well.

Decide what “NOT TO DO” rather than what “TO DO”. 

Decide who “NOT TO MEET” rather than who “TO MEET” 

Implement this daily “life management strategy” – and you will see your efficiency rise – your mood become better – and – your stress will disappear.

As I said earlier – you will realize that – deciding what “not to do” may be more beneficial rather than deciding what “to do”.

Dear Reader: 

Why don’t you try this “not to do” “not to meet” strategy the New Year 2019...? 

Why don’t you make this your New Year’s Resolution...? 

Wish you a Happy New Year 2019. 

VIKRAM KARVE

Copyright © Vikram Karve 
1. If you share this post, please give due credit to the author Vikram Karve
2. Please DO NOT PLAGIARIZE. Please DO NOT Cut/Copy/Paste this post
© vikram karve., all rights reserved.

Disclaimer:

All stories in this blog are a work of fiction. Events, Places, Settings and Incidents narrated in the story are a figment of my imagination. The characters do not exist and are purely imaginary. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.

Copyright Notice:

No part of this Blog may be reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical including photocopying or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the Blog Author Vikram Karve who holds the copyright.

Copyright © Vikram Karve (All Rights Reserved)

     

© vikram karve., all rights reserved. 

This is an Abridged Version of My Article Earlier Posted Online by me Vikram Karve more than 5 years ago in the year 2014 at 3/28/2014 09:30:00 PM in my Academic and Creative Writing Journal Blog at url: http://karvediat.blogspot.in/2014/03/to-do-or-not-to-do-key-to-life.html and http://karvediat.blogspot.in/2014/12/not-to-do-and-not-to-meet-lists-to-do.html  and http://karvediat.blogspot.in/2016/06/to-do-or-not-to-do-to-meet-or-not-to.html and http://karvediat.blogspot.com/2016/12/new-years-resolution-2017-not-to-do-and.html etc