Common Sense Living

Do you ever mind what you eat from the start of the day till the end; is it sufficient for you or is an overdiet or a misbalanced combination? 

The nutritious food provides the energy your body needs to function. If the body is not properly nourished, you cannot produce your finest. Body needs nutrition and nutrition comes from nutritious food. Only a healthy body is capable of taking up the nourishment from food and healthy body requires the right balance of nutrition, exercise and stress management.

"The Nutritious Food” varies with age, place, climate, profession, genetics and other factors.

So it is vital to find out Nutritious-Food-for-Me.

Exercise

You see many teenagers maniac for body building but excessive exercise exhausts them and after a bit long they suffer soreness in muscles and loss of coordination. If you suddenly find yourself involved in vigorous exercise several hours a day several times a week, it may be time to slow down.

Too much and too little is the quandary.

As with all the good things, it's possible to overdo exercise; as with all the disinteresting things it is possible to close the eyes to it. Neither too much nor too little nor disrupted exercise programs are effective but can cause injuries. For achieving desired results, the most important factor is being consistent with exercise. When you exercise, your body uses energy to keep going. Exercising causes the body to produce endorphins, chemicals that can help a person to feel more calm and contented. It dispels lactic acid so that you don't feel sore and stiff.

The three components of a proportionate exercise routine are: aerobic exercise, strength training, and flexibility training.

Aerobics

Aerobic exercise is physical exercise that intends to improve the efficiency of the cardiovascular system in absorbing and transporting oxygen. Aerobic means “with oxygen” and refers to the use of oxygen in the body's metabolic or energy-generating process. Many types of exercises are aerobic and by definition are performed at moderate levels of intensity for extended periods of time that gets the heart pumping and accelerates breathing. These exercises make heart stronger and more efficient in delivering oxygen. Some great aerobic workouts are swimming, dancing, in-line skating, hiking, basketball, soccer, hockey and rowing.

Strength

Strength exercises are the use of resistance to muscular contraction to build the strength, anaerobic endurance and size of skeletal muscles. These involve simple calisthenics. These are performed with the use of gravity or elastic/hydraulic forces to oppose muscle contraction. Some exercises are lunges, jumping jacks, sit-ups, crunches, push-ups, pull- ups and dips etc.

The amount of strength exercises depends on your work profile, if your work involves physical labor, it will improve your skill and performance. If you are basically in sedentary occupation, these exercises help protect you when you do other exercises by supporting your joints and helping to prevent injuries.

Flexibility

Some exercises also help the body stay flexible, meaning there by muscles and joints stretch and bend easily. People who are flexible have very reduced amount of strained muscles and sprains.

Martial arts like karate also help a person stay flexible. Gymnastics and yoga are other good choices. Stretching after your workout will also help you improve your flexibility.

Most experts recommend stretching after your workout when your muscles are warm. You should not stretch muscles before your workout, this may cause injury.

Relaxation

Stress Management

The CEO of a large company often spent more time out of the office on business trips for the development of new product line. He flew across the world in search of information and contacts to ensure that the new line would be a success. His home life suffered. He was constantly tired and ate poorly. The company was depending on him, he continued. He experienced severe stomach pains and was diagnosed with a peptic ulcer. The company accepted that his condition was due to the stress of his work load. On his doctor's order, he took a long holiday.

Everybody- men, women, children and even fetuses suffer from stress. The first step towards stress management could be identifying the sources of stress in your life. Stress is not produced by extrinsic factors but by intrinsic factors primarily. You may be stressed about your career and the stress inducing factor could be your procrastination instead of fewer opportunities present in the market. Your thoughts, feelings and behavior play a vital role in imposing stress.

You need to be proactive than reactive. This is the difference between light and dark. Your thought and speech follows each other. When you think there is nothing you can do, you speak the same and vise versa. So you should continuously check what you think and speak and make sure you are making a shift from Your thought  reactive thoughts and speeches to proactive ones. Still there are and speech things you don't have control over them and if we work on such follows each things we empower them to have control over us. This we do as an other. emotional myopia.

Look at Gandhiji. Once his fountain pen was pilfered. The pen was immediately replaced but the theft pained him. He began using a pen-holder and a nib but even this did not last forever. The nib once got bent and he sent Manubehn to get a new one.

This was a loss of time when every moment was precious. When Manubehn returned, she found Bapu sharpening the other end of the wooden holder. Manubehn expressed her curiosity to know the reason.

At which Gandhi said, "Now the point of my nib will never get curved.

You should make out what you can do instead of thinking about what you can not do or could not make.

Work for what you can do, this way you will empower yourself to impact the things you can't do.

Practicing these time tested truths can save you from stress.

FINANCE

The financial dimension involves caring effectively on following fronts-

1. Income and Expenditure
2. Savings and Investments

“Needs are ever increasing” applies to all strata of society. These are many and divergent to be categorized at least in three major categories:

1. Continuation (food, water, air, housing, job tenure)
2. Interdependence (belongingness, love and affection)
3. Escalation (self-esteem, self-actualization, recognition, confidence, pride of excellence)

Need is a continuum always silhouetted in the backdrop of desires. The behavior of an individual at a particular time is influenced by his/her needs and desires. Strongest needs/desires are going to have the strongest impact on one's income/expenditure decisions. Various such needs/desires operate in parallel and emboss the landscape of income and expenditure.

Hence, expenditure is the function of need, more the needs more the expenditure; and more expenditure requires more income thus need management is in decisive role in managing finance.

Let us visualize the relation of income and need (expenditure):

If expenditure is more than income, it causes pathetic situation, can plunge into bankruptcy and the vicious cycle of debt.

If expenditure equals income, it does not allow any saving thus in any slightest adversity it also leads towards tragedy and debts.

If expenditure is less than income, it allows desired possible 'savings' hence future security.

Here, the first pedestal saving is achieved which is a mediocre instrument to address higher order needs. This instrument needs to be sharpened and strengthened by converting it into an investment.

In layman's language, the use of money to earn more money is investment and a sound investment has three parameters:

1. Security
2. Liquidity
3. Profitability

Consideration of these parameters depends on necessity and capacity of investment in terms of time and amount.

Controlling infesting needs initially, fulfills those very needs in better manner.

MENTAL ASPECT

We judge the world by the frame of reference conceived by passing impressions. These frames of references distort the capacity to see beyond the appearance. This is what Dr. Covey in his '7 Habits of Highly Effective People' calls paradigm. Distorted paradigms are the enemy of Common Sense as it is a product of a personal impression, a judging from passing appearances. Mental caliber is never a matter of incomplete and doubtful hypothesis, no matter how well-founded it is.

There was a rich man. He was blessed with four sons. He wanted his sons to learn not to critic things as soon as they experience them. So he sent them each on an expedition. He ordered them to go and look at a pear tree that was a great distance away.

He sent his first son in the winter, the second in the spring, the third in summer, and the youngest son in the fall.

When they had all gone and come back, the rich man called them together to describe what they had seen.

The first son said that the tree was dreadful, bent, and twisted. The second son said that it was shielded with green buds and full of promise. The third son said it was loaded with blossoms that smelled so sweet and looked so beautiful, it was the most graceful thing he had ever seen. The last son differed with all of them; he said it was ripe and drooping with fruit, full of life and fulfillment.

The man then explained to his sons that they were all precise and true, because they had each seen but only one season in the tree's life.

Don't judge life by one difficult season.

There are people, I see, who condemn a workplace/ person/style as utterly unattractive because they happened to have visited it under unfavorable circumstances. It would be most difficult to make them alter their prematurely formed opinion. In spite of the most trustworthy claims and the most self-evident proofs, their initial idea will dominate all those which they would like to instill into their minds.

One who judges by some appearance never rejoice his paradigms hence Common Sense. To rejoice Common Sense three uninterrupted efforts are required:

1. Continuous, systematic, disciplined study and education
2. Cultivation of self-awareness
3. Learning by teaching and doing

Education and study is not limited only for the purpose of a good job or business, it is an ongoing process throughout the life. Formal education imposes external discipline and as soon as it is over we let us atrophy. There are casual readings but no real study; and leisurely time means watching TV or talking over phone or sleeping. Common Sense lies in steady use not in misuse, disuse or abuse and for this self management is required. You should identify and discriminate the healthy and unhealthy, acts of escalation and deterioration, acts of contentment and agony.

Needs are demanding and expect continual improvement for better results and higher levels of fulfillment.

Diligence with same level of competence do not make much difference; you need to sharpen the saw to cut the trees in less time and with fewer efforts.

Continuing education, study and development efforts sharpen the saw of your ability to grasp the situation and its nuances in better manner and applying the actions in tandem.

Self awareness is the torch which is a must in hands to search the right path. It results in silent moments while thinking of the thoughts, not when occupied by the thoughts. It's the ability to observe own mood, feelings and thoughts. It is very important part comprising mental maturity.

What you learn, if used less frequently, starts fading with the time. Sharing knowledge by applying didactic approaches proves out to be a device to maintain it for long in self and as a shared knowledge. The process of teaching adds value to knowledge and the recipient gets value added knowledge. Process of teaching has the tendency to churn out the extract for best quality in order to transfer it in best possible shape. It brings out the clarity and confidence regarding the subject and gives applied understanding as well.

Doing what you know is the test of your understanding. Until you are not capable of delivering it practically, you are not maturely learned.

SOCIAL ASPECT

The Social dimension involves caring effectively on following fronts-

MY RELATIONSHIP WITH OTHERS

There was once a lion that was not capable of roaring. The lion, from the very beginning had always been this way; he had never been able to roar. But there was none who knew about this. Since from an early age he realized this, he had learnt to talk gently with everybody, and to listen to them. He learned to influence others of his point of view without having to raise the volume levels. This way he won the fondness and faith of everyone.

But one day the lion spoke to a monkey who was so senseless and thoughtless, that the lion could not find a way to make the monkey be no-nonsense. He felt a strong urge to roar at the monkey. To try to solve this problem, he spent a few months devising a roaring machine which he could use whenever he might need it. A short while after completing the roaring machine, the reckless monkey turned up. He infuriated the lion so much again that the lion used the machine. It sent out a truly scary roar.

"GRRRRRRRRRROAUUUUUUUURRRR!!!"

Not only did this give the monkey a terrible scare, it also stunned all the other animals so much so that for months none of them risked to come out. The lion became blue and deserted, and had plenty of time to understand that he didn't need to roar in order get others to pay attention to him. Without knowing it, his lack of a roar had made him good at talking to others and convincing them.

So, little by little, using his kind and pleasant tone of voice he managed to reestablish the animals’ trust in him, and never again did he thought returning to roaring or shouting.

Relation with others needs sustained efforts.

Generally, conversations results into a monologue; every body has the urge to express, to make his/her point clear and to convince but there is no intent to understand. There are decisions without comprehending what is going inside another human being. We seek to be understood but as long as we are not influenced by others' exclusivity, they are not going to be persuaded by our advice or choice.

You need to check your frame of reference. Why do you listen? You know things equally or may be more than them then why? What is your intent behind listening, are you completing the sending receiving circle of communication or you want to answer which is quiet impressive or you want to evaluate the level of understanding of other side in comparison to what you possess.

Understanding a person is to fully and deeply appreciate the person, emotionally as well as rationally.

Though in this era of high technology, we claim communication is faster than ever but it is as shallow and pathetic as was ever. The mass of commu-nication has increased but the power to convey lies same, a lot of information is exchanged every moment but how empathic? Communication requires ears and eyes and above all heart. Until you do this you are dealing with the incorrect data.

Attending to the little things means attending those which others neglect. Do you extend conditional love?  Do you work with defensive mind? Do you judge people by their social value and conformity to your expectations and norms? Do you talk straight? Do you remember your last effort committed to create transparency? Do you ever asked what key persons of your life really expect from you?  Do you keep commitments? How honest and integrated are you? Do you wholeheartedly accept your mistakes and apologize and ensure not to make same mistake again? How loyal and accountable are you?

These small things are very vital and could not be ignored for building social trust and harmony.

MY INTERFACE WITH SOCIETY

"Every day I remind myself that my inner and outer life are based on the labors of other men, living and dead, and that I must exert myself in order to give in the same measure as I have received and am still receiving."

-Albert Einstein

We hardly find time to think what we give back to the society which has given us inestimable? There are so many ways to serve. Putting down empathy is the real service. It is not a lose/win as is generally perceived. It's a win/win of intrinsic values amongst souls. It is not your way or my way, it's a superior and elevated way.

We are generally very careful and possessive about our family, the safety and happiness has to be maintained in best possible ways. But the people outside our family are no different than ours; at least for the things which don't incur any pecuniary cost. These experiences enrich us back.

There is a psychological tendency amongst us that I got “C” because someone has already grabbed “A”, and I must be ahead in competition in order to grab “A” for me and my people. It leads to dejection and futility. The real strength is to cooperate and produce for everyone. Without competition, without comparison,  recognizing the differences and the intrinsic values; and combining it for bigger and more holistic purposes.

Care for the resources, these are the vertebras of the social purposes. What we are and what we have is derived from the environment and the valuable resources. Conserving, maintaining, developing and utilizing them is another aspect of care for society.

EMOTIONAL ASPECT

'Emotional' is my relationship with myself. It is about intrinsic security. Life of integrity is the most fundamental source of personal worth. Anonymous service and living for the cause are also very powerful sources for emotional strengthening.

You recognize people and feel about them by what they say and do, the same way you feel and recognize yourself by what you say and do. You have a relationship with yourself as with others. When you break a promise how do you feel? You feel bad and on the other hand when you keep commitments you find yourself confidant and in control.

You are strong on your emotional front if :

1. Peer Pressure doesn’t rule you.
2. Feelings of depression and inferiority are not in your thoughts
3. You don't care about others’ opinion about you.
4. You are humble even when you are insecure.
5. You feel happy with the success of others always.

SPIRITUAL ASPECT

The tide goes out…Night follows day.

Whatever you send in the universe comes back.

Every action has an opposite and equal reaction.

Nothing is small or big, good or bad until you relate it to something.

Energy moves into physical form.

Exploring the Almighty is seeing the sights of these timeless truths; Worshiping God is believing in natural laws and serving God is following them. These perpetual laws align a being with the power of Almighty residing in us and bring out the best endings of our actions.

Prayer is a spiritual act of recalling these laws; specially those we need for the circumstances of life, it is an act of committing to you to seek and choose their guidance at the time of decision. It's a promise to keep integrity i.e. being true to your highest values and conscience.

Being spiritual is cultivating a sense of contribution to people and causes and aligning work with one's innate desires. Spending time with great literature, watching the lines of nature, improves and strengthens our value systems.

The micro sphere is conjugated with macro sphere to complete the big picture of life. Honing Micro aspects makes one independent. Independence is not the last staircase to reach value of life, one more staircase is there i.e. Macro, and it is the upper side of the sphere. The forthcoming message will bring you forth to macro sphere.