Describe a decision you made in the past that helped you learn or grow.
The content discusses the importance of decision-making in personal growth and the journey of life. It emphasises that life is not just about material achievements but involves a spectrum of experiences that shape one’s character. The narrative critiques egocentric boasting and highlights the transient nature of existence. It underscores the significance of making informed decisions, particularly in youth, and the necessity of understanding the consequences of one’s actions. The text references the concept of Karma, linking good deeds to desirable outcomes, and stresses that while advice is valuable, individuals must ultimately be responsible for their choices in life to achieve fulfilment.
Table of contents
Key Takeaways
- The article emphasizes the importance of decision-making in personal growth and life experiences.
- It critiques egocentric boasting and highlights the transient nature of existence as a reminder to prioritize meaningful choices.
- Karma influences the outcomes of decisions, linking good deeds to future happiness and liberation from the cycle of birth and death.
- Choosing a career requires careful consideration and understanding, as the onus of decision-making lies on the individual.
- Ultimately, life decisions should be personal, taking advice while retaining accountability for one’s choices.
Introduction
Describing the ups and downs of life and past decisions that helped in learning and growing is unnatural. It is like unilateral boasting about the successes and achievements that a person has had. For an egocentric person, it is yet another chance to become loquacious and garrulously talk about the “achievements”. The thing which needs to be brooded upon is how to get peace in one’s personal life not in counting ostensibly material achievements. The material gains serve the purpose of cementing stubbornness and transforming an otherwise sensitive human into a callous individual.
Linear journey
The journey of life is a complex process; linear, but not smooth and rosy. It gives varied experiences and teaches to behave sensibly. The experiences are a bundle of motley feelings of happiness, sorrow, companionship and aloofness. The destination is known to everyone but they pretend to be ignorant. This linear journey has to end. It is also an open secret that its span is short, not more than eight decades. A few are fortunate to cross this barrier to go up to nine decades and a few years.
Successful persons
They were successful people. With a humble start, they rose to wealth and fame. Rising step by step on the ladder, they ultimately reached the pinnacle. Feeling on cloud nine with their achievements, they soon realised the futility of their achievements and felt that they were alone.
Prodigious force
The mundane world is ephemeral. Despite its continuity, it is transient because of the momentary life of an organism. Curious humans have tried their best to explain the transience of the physical world, but none have reached a definite conclusion. Some call it an omnipotent and omnipresent Supreme Soul, “Brahma”, while some try to explain it as “Purush” and “Prakriti”. There is, though, a convergence. All equvivocally agree on the presence of a prodigious force. This force is moving the cosmos and the world the way it is moving.
Linear and circular
Paradoxically, life is both linear and circular depending upon the condition. It shows both characters if seen in different contexts.
Linear
The process that ostensibly appears linear is virtually circular. It starts from the birth of an organism and ends after the organism dies. The intervening period is life. It is the period of deeds, actions and work. Every organism has an assigned duty. Honey bees, for example, have a well-organised colonial life. The worker bees are ordained with manual labour of collecting nectar and pollen while male bees, called drones, have the job of fertilising the queen bee. They have a lifespan of about ninety days. After their days are over, they lose their lives.
Circular
An individual life is linear which, as discussed above, has a start and an end. On the other hand, it is circular having no end. It is evident from the fact that life was present, it is present and it will remain so. The circular nature of life suggests that the end of one life is start of another. It is self sustaining, having mutually dependent phases.
Work is necessary
For life to continue, work is essential. Every organism has to work for sustenance and run the cycle of life. The linear life ends with the individual but considering holistically, it becomes apparent that the death of an organism is the life of another. It runs in a cyclical fashion where taking mutual help keeps life running.
Imperishable soul
After much cogitation and logic, sages call it the soul, which keeps the continuity of life. Soul is imperishable, unharmed and indestructible. It is a connecting link between two lives because it is like changing clothes. Like one changes the old, worn-out dress to wear new ones, the soul changes its body. The cycle goes on ad nauseam.
“Karma”: deeds
“Karma” is linked with the cycle of birth and death, especially in human beings. Other organisms don’t have cognitive power like humans who possess highly developed brains. Humans have a great responsibility in choosing their deeds. The results are the outcome of the deeds. It explains the amount of suffering or happiness an individual experiences. The accumulated “Karma” decides who gets what and when. It also establishes a connection between past and present life. Accumulated good deeds lead to permanent liberation from the cycle of birth and death. The soul attains “Moksha”.
Good deeds
The theory effectively advocates good deeds as the primary duty of a human. The deeds are indirectly linked with the decisions that humans take in their daily lives. It decides the path that should be taken. It is yet again a type of “Karma” that decides the future course. In the Mahabharata, the game of gambling and the defeat of Yudhisthir, followed by the disgrace of Draupadi is an example of bad decision. Pandavas had to suffer a great deal. Losing their kingdom, they had to face exile in the jungle and ultimately it all culminated in the epic war. The eighteen-day battle was the deadliest of the time. A decision based on seasoned sagacious advice can change the life of an individual. Yudhisthir, the righteous one, ignored the good advice and partook in gambling. The result was obvious though terrific.
Decision making
It underscores that decision-making plays a vital role in shaping the future. It is equally true that no one can foresee the future, but a good decision can lead to a better future. Sometimes it comes to light that people decide without proper consideration and without visualising the consequences. Youth plunge into a pool without estimating the depth of the pool and their ability to swim. This often lands them in a difficult situation. It is desirable to have self-estimation before making decisions. (Diverse Daily)
Choosing the right career
Choosing a career and the best course option is a decision that significantly affects one’s later life. Unlike in the past, the present is promising. Youths have varied options to choose from. Information is readily available to compare the options and make a wise and informed decision. In the present scenario, the onus lies solely with the person making decisions. Unlike yesteryear when the onus of failure could easily be transfer onto others, it is “Nontransferable” in present times. Person can’t shift it to someone else. It is imperative that people take well thought of decisions. A proper understanding of the course and related career options is necessary. A person aspiring for the Civil Services can opt for humanities while a person who wants to shine in the field of science should opt for science subjects.
Results are dependent on deeds
A wise decision and doing one’s duty earnestly give positive results. One need not worry about the result as it is link with the deeds. It is why Lord Krishna in the Geeta emphasises “Karma”, for it is in humans’ jurisdiction, not the result. It is like going to a particular place and choosing the right path. Among available alternatives, the best and most convenient path can lead to swift and easy reach of the desired location. There will, then be no grudges.
Our life our decision
It is our life and its decisions should also be ours. No other should interfere nor should the judgment be force on us. One must be open to advice and suggestions, but the final verdict must rest on those whose lives are going to affect.
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Kamal Kishore Srivastava
A retired government officer turned writer and photographer, Kamal Kishore Srivastava is a regular blogger and essayist who explores life’s deeper meanings through immersive reflections on nature, impermanence, and happiness. On his blog Nature’s Narrative, he blends philosophical storytelling with practical insights. Writing 1200–1500 or more words regularly, Kamal is committed to refining his craft, expanding his audience, and building a sustainable space where thought and feeling meet.
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