A helper’s high

charity, Habits, Happiness, Human Brain, Karma, mindset

This is a term I learned today while I was reading the book 5 Day Weekend.

I have mentioned in multiple posts earlier how when I am feeling low, I try to see if I can donate something. Even Joe Polish talks about how if you’re feeling depressed – go and help someone. It’s not necessary to do it with money only.

You go to an old age home, or you could go and offer your services to an orphanage etc. When you see the fact that you have something to give and help, it changes your whole body and emotional state.

This phrase immediately struck me because I also feel a high which cancels out my depressive emotions the moment I give to charity.

However I have always felt that there is a Karmic reaction to doing good. When you do good by doing charity it sets in motion a whole set of emotions in your mind.

It improves your self esteem, improves your mood, reduces your stress levels and makes you more calm and peaceful. Since you are on a high by helping someone you also tend to become more grateful.

In the Indian thought process if you are facing a lot of bad luck in your life, then you can slowly start reversing the “bad” part by doing charity, by helping others.

Till next time then, be on a high by helping others and make this world a better place.

Carpe Diem!!!

Prioritizing the top 3 or 4 for your financial freedom

compounding, Financial Independence, Karma, prioritizing

I have spent so many posts on talking about how you can hit financial freedom. Today I will give you the 80/20 of what I think are the key things I have learnt over the last few years.

The compounding equation – Sum = Principal*(1+(Rate of Interest)/100)^Number of years. Since the 80/20 is fractal prioritizing on the Rate of Interest and Number of Years is critical. Compounding works both ways. If you have taken a loan it works against you and if you have invested, it works for you. The earlier you start your journey to utilize this equation the richer you will become, faster
Taxes – Be an honest tax payer, pay what is due and in full. However utilize all the avenues the government gives to save on taxes.
Always look at increasing your earning capability – so that you can hit your goals for financial freedom faster. Scrimping your way to financial freedom is a long arduous journey.
Always give charity. Its good Karma. In some countries the government also encourages you to give charity by giving tax benefits – refer to point 2 above.

There’s so much depth in understanding just these 4 statements that complete books have been written just to cover these topics.

Since the topic is about prioritizing I will keep the post short. Just focus on these 4 statements and keep finding within them the areas where small effort can give huge returns . Again small hinges move large doors.

Till next time then.

Carpe Diem

Negativity – all around – count your blessings – take affirmative action

Affirmative action, arrogance, Karma, mindset

The second wave of Covid19 in India is really taking its toll. To every person you talk there’s someone close to them who’s down with Covid19.

If we switch on the television, all it will talk about are the challenges with patients not getting oxygen, Politicians are at their best doing what they do , by blaming the ruling government for all the ills being faced.

I am generally a very positive person and try to find something which will give me a reason to be positive. But I couldn’t get myself to do that. All the conversations I had today had some tragedy about someone. I was not even being able to think of what I should write in this post.

But I started writing this blog and then started thing of all the blessings that I have in my life. All the reasons for me to be grateful that I can continue writing this post.

Then I thought I could continue to being a spectator or I could also help in some way. So I thought the government is facing a challenge in getting hold of oxygen. now I can’t make medical grade oxygen, but I can help the government in whatever small capacity in helping them get the equipment which can make the oxygen. So I went and donated money to the PM-CARES fund. I decided to stop just thinking but took some affirmative action.

As John Paul Dejoria says – and I am paraphrasing it – Success not Shared is worthless. If you don’t know who John Paul Dejoria is do a search on Google. He is a few billion dollars worth, but such a soft spoken gentleman, with absolutely no arrogance, who has contributed so much.

And suddenly the world is not so bad. Yes things are not rosy, but human beings have the resilience to find solutions. I am sure we will find solutions to handle this pandemic. I also did my little bit again today. I always feel terrific after donating money. I also believe in Karma and after donating I feel I have sent out a positive message into the universe.

What’s your view, please put in the comments section.

Till next time then.

Carpe Diem!!!

Peaks and Valleys Part 2

arrogance, ego, Karma, mindset, Turn around

Continuing on what I was talking about yesterday, my belief is that circumstances are never going to be perfect all the time. Tides change all the time, so does every person’s luck.

I do believe that luck does play a very important role in every one’s life. Which also means that you can’t be lucky all the time.

However I also believe in Karma. So if you have a positive balance in your karmic account then even during your not so lucky days, you can get quite a positive outcome.

The other thing which I mentioned yesterday also is the ego of the person. Generally ego is all about me and mine. Everyone will give you that explanation. My belief is that ego is when we acquire a fixed mindset or as Carol Dweck talks in her book Mindset, its not a mindset which is willing to learn.

Learning and ego generally can’t go together in my opinion. To be able to learn, you have to be willing to have humility to accept that someone else knows more than you. You also need to have your mind open, if you want to learn anything. Generally people with a large ego don’t have an open mind.

By its very nature your next peak will happen when you cross the valley and start your climb towards the peak. The moment you start your climb, if you are not going to be adapting for the unknowns, you won’t be able to reach the peak.

Effectively while luck will play a role in your progress, if you prepare while the tide is turning and keep your ego aside, then your chances of reaching the next peak faster are very high.

Till next time then.

Carpe Diem!!!

Ego, learning mindset