Be Real
by TSK. Raman

I've heard this saying, "If you enjoy what you do it means you are not working, you are having fun." This is really nice to to read and to hear, but, in real terms I cant recall having been with, seen or met many who fit this. Though I guess people l;ike the musci maestros like A.R. Rahman, Rahul Ram, Bhimsen Joshi, and several others could be enjoying their work as they create soulful tunes, ragas, and songs, that make millions of fan like them and hum those as their favorites. A lucky few may get too work in companies or the industry that compliments their passion, but, someday even that can be challenged as they too can have 'bad day,' then what next.

In real life and the the truth though is you need to work to earn your daily bread, to hold your head high. You really need to work hard to learn, to put that learrning to practice, esperience things, and then claim your next step in the ladder of growth. You get recognized only when you can bring value to the table not other wise. You need to accept the fact that work is not 'fun' by any means. It's is a serious thing and it is for that reason it is called 'work,' and it is for that reason why you also get paid. If you want 'fun' you need to pay, so work is definitely not 'fun.' The way you dispose the work that comes on hand can be done without getting stressed or without accumulating stress, can be 'fun.'

Simple as it may sound, the truth of accepting reality is needed if you are to clear your head for what is to come next. Life is a journey, remember that, then work is just one bit of the jopurney. Learn to enjoy the journey, then things might be different, job may become 'fun.' The irony is we take our life too seriously, and that is the way we lose out of many of the good things in life. Be real, take life as it comes, enjoy yourself.

I know My Purpose

by TSK. Raman

I am at a point in time of my life that I am facing yet another challenge, and this is major for the reason

1. I have grown up physically in age but not by thought or energy, and have to really prove myself even more than ever before that I have still something left in me as I will have to compete with people nearly half my age. 

2. What is that I can choose to do - full time/part time, consulting, coaching, mentoring, what?

At a point of genuine humility but uncertainty I ask myself, “ do you think I have anything left to contribute? Are my best days over?” 

I admit, this question can be difficult to answer, as I keep thinking within myself, though within my heart I know that "I shall rise from the ashes like Phoenix, once again."  
I am acknowledged as one of the wisest men many have ever met. Some say that I am a living treasure, and that they would to any extent including pay for the privilege of sitting with me and listening to stories. And here I am sitting in my study, asking myself whether or not I have anything left to contribute? 

My children and my life partner have immense faith in me, and say, “ listen to us carefully: what has happened so far doesn't really matter, however, your best days are ahead of you. We are not saying this just because we are yours and we like you—and there is not doubt we adore you not just like you—but because it is the truth. We don't need to prove it to you.”

I can see a reason in what they say, for I have always believed God has meant and created us all for a purpose, and that we will not depart until that purpose is fulfilled. But what happens most times is that people spend a life time to leave without even knowing their purpose. One must believe that if one is still alive, then one hasn't completed what one is put on this planet to do. If we haven’t completed what we were put on this planet to do, then our very purpose hasn't been fulfilled. If our purpose hasn't been fulfilled, then believe that the most important part of your life is still ahead. You have yet to make your most important contribution. If the most important part of your life is ahead of you, then even during the worst times, one can be assured that there is more laughter ahead, more success to look forward to.

I have to get around meeting, talking, and guiding more and more people to think of their own life's purpose and help them get it. Our success depends on how we help others succeed.   

In the context of development of people and also self, also known as self responsibility, is the acknowledgment that I through my thinking, feeling and behaving, am in control of how I experience life. For many people, becoming truly responsible requires changing core beliefs.

Steve Covey's Perspective
In his book, The Seven Habits Of Highly Effective People Stephen Covey's first habit, being proactive is all about taking responsibility. He advises the following (this is one of my favorite responsibility quotes):
"Look at the word responsibility - "response-ability" - the ability to choose your response. Highly proactive people recognize that responsibility. They do not blame circumstances, conditions, or conditioning for their behavior. Their behavior is a product of their own conscious choice, based on values, rather than a product of their conditions, based on feeling."

What Is Responsibility In Relation To Success?
Co-author of the Chicken Soup For The Soul series, Jack Canfield is another proponent of self responsibility. In his book, The Success Principles, Jack has this to say:
"It is time to stop looking outside yourself for the answers to why you haven't created the life and results you want, for it is you who creates the quality of the life you lead and the results you produce. You - no one else! To achieve major success in life - to achieve those things that are most important to you -you must assume 100% responsibility for your life. Nothing less will do."
In every moment, we are building our futures. And as Jack suggests, we have incredible control of what is being shaped for tomorrow. 
His formula is very simple:  The Event + Our Response = The Outcome

Therefore what Is Responsibility? 
It's Giving Up Blame
It's Changing Core Beliefs
It's The Key To Freedom
Self responsibility is unquestioningly challenging at times. But it's worth it! If you can let go of foolish thoughts and work at changing core beliefs, you will free yourself to create the life you dream of.