Together or apart

once upon a sonnet i was,
in manicured lawns and orion nights,
the silver brook ran without a pause,
flowers rested in yesterday’s delight,
the wakening birds around me speak,
of a spirit kindred to my own,
i hear their long scythe whispering to the weak,
i was sure i worked no more alone,
but soon enough the sun did fade,
and my dreams just held on to speech,
unsure i was, without any aid,
and fog covered what was within my reach,
as long as i can light up the dark with my heart,
so long it won’t matter, if we’re together or apart.

Identity > Actions > Feelings

If you think about it and you look around to the people that you know, you can even see this on social media as well. You’ll see people who get upset or happy, excited or whatever their feelings are.

Then they act based upon that feeling. They’re responsive to how they feel. Then over time, they begin to become defined by those actions, either as say somebody is a hot head or somebody has integrity or good character.

This can go good or it can go bad, but essentially what you’re doing is you’re letting your feelings determine who you want to be and who you want to become, when essentially this is backwards.

What you really want to do is have your identity determine what your actions will be and then whatever your actions will be will determine your feelings.

In other words, decide the type of person you want to be, what kind of person that you want to become. What kind of person do you want to be known for? Then make your actions of that type of person. Then when your actions are of that type of person, that will bring the feelings of that.

In other words, you’re not going to be living responsive to everything.

You are going to be deciding and laying down the foundations for your own destiny.

Originally posted here: http://www.elitefts.com/coaching-logs/what-does-your-identity-have-to-do-with-feelings/

You’re good!

What do we need to do today?

The things that happened last year with me have changed my beliefs, tested them, challenged them, shaped them up and strengthened them. It’s because of those things I think I know the answer to this question.

In 2012, I was studying in a college in India, and was one of those bored students who didn’t have anything to do after the classes. Most of the colleges in India don’t have the so-called “necessary” facilities like a recreational center, intramural, and fun events going on. So a friend and I decided to start our own college magazine after getting fueled up by reading the autobiography of Richard Branson, the founder of the Virgin group. Crazy enough idea! We actually got some people working with us. The results were astonishing. In no time, we were on the verge of creating our own thing. But how did this happen so quickly? It wasn’t a miracle, it was the belief I had. It was the belief in people and in my dreams.

What are the odds of you asking somebody you don’t know at all to help you by spending out a large part of his time and doing it for free of cost? If you have asked, you know that the answer will always be a ‘no’ until you actually ask. A guy studying graphic designing and arts in England agreed to make the cover for our magazine. A professional photographer in California agreed to get the particular kinds of photographs we needed. A well-known journalist was so excited that he wanted us to use his work. A famous rock band let us interview them. One of the world’s most famous cricketers said no to give us his interview (still a pretty big thing just to receive that email!). The rejection didn’t help us but it did fortify my faith in what we were doing. Every time when I read that email, it reminds me that anything is possible.

I couldn’t believe what was happening at that time, but it was right there happening in front of my eyes. I was just amazed at how much easy this all was with these generous people in the world. I agree not all of them said yes, but most of them were willing to help, even though they had never met us. Sometimes, you have to convince them a bit because most of them are too protective, but most of the times, you’ll be surprised by the result you get when you actually ask for something. Though I never had the final copy of the magazine in my hands, it helped me a lot as a person and a writer.

The satisfaction of helping someone and that happy feeling is just too good to ignore. It may be one of the best feelings in the world. Sometimes people don’t help to gain something; they just help. That small act can change somebody’s life forever.

I believe in people. They are good enough to make this world a better place and inspire others by just simply helping each other. If most of us do even little things to help others, then soon, we won’t have a lot of things to complain about.

So what do we need to do today?

I think we know the answer!