"The proper function of man is to live, not to exist.
I shall not waste my days in trying to prolong them.
I shall use my time.
" Jack London, writer from Oakland As I age, I gain perspective on the illusion of wealth and status as forms of fulfillment.
I don't want my life to be measured by dollars and cents or how many articles I wrote.
I want to live a life that counts.
With each day that passes, I feel a greater sense of urgency to make sure my time and energy are invested in developing others, extending my support to others in whatever way I can.
I want to be remembered by the lives that I've touched.
Doing good to mankind in my understanding is divine.
Wherever you are in your life, do not hoard your ideas, but share them, so others can benefit from them.
This is "abundance mentality.
" My husband, a mechanical engineer by profession, a marketing manager in an international firm, was one such person.
Many of his friends have pointed out that he was unique in sharing his ideas.
Many copied his ideas, some got credit, few of his ideas are used by entrepreneurs even today but it didn't matter to him.
He played his part, honest to himself at all times.
He passed away but his ideas that he shared with me and others still remain all over the world.
Learn to look at the world in terms of how many people you can help rather than how much money you can make or hoard...
I particularly like this quote that I read somewhere, not sure who quoted it.
'If you're not doing something with your life, then it doesn't matter how long you live.
If you're doing something with your life, then it doesn't matter how short your life may be'.
If you are giving, loving, serving, helping, encouraging, and adding value to others, then you're living a life that counts.
A life is not measured by years lived, but by how well one lived helping others.
People can trace their failures or successes to pivotal relationships.
I trace back to my parents and wonderful husband who have been there for me and I have learned a lot in every step of my growing, through them.
My father taught me to believe in myself.
'You cannot make another person feel important if you secretly feel that person is a nobody', my mother often used to say to me.
She was in a joint family after marriage with at least twenty-five people around since she was twelve years old..
Coming from a very aristocratic family in India, educated only up to eighth grade, she was a woman of wisdom.
She would not talk much but when she did, she made a point that stayed with you forever.
'Have an open mind and make the effort to develop relationships and understand the reciprocity in relationship', she would say.
She was a role model to me.
Everyone in the family enjoyed having her around.
My father loved and adored her until he left her behind with five children to take care of, which she did remarkably well.
My husband traveled internationally and expanded his horizon that he often shared with me.
He reinforced what my mother taught me - to get along with others and value all people.
I consider relationships to be my greatest treasures in life and an immense source of happiness.
We exchange energy, emotions, ideas, and values when interacting with others.
Some relationships reinforce our values and uplift us; while others destabilize our beliefs and sap our energy.
Identify such relationship and stay away from them.
Relationship helps us define who we are and what we can become.
I can see how my relationships have shaped my character, values, and interest.
Develop the people who report to you at work, your children, friends and neighbors.
Ultimately it is not how much you make or keep, or how big of a house you own or how many cars you possess.
It is all about how many people you touch.
You have one life to live, one chance to help others.
If you believe in reincarnation, you still have one life, this one life, to help those who are around you because you never know if they will come back in your next life.
"Living consciously involves being genuine; it involves listening and responding to others honestly and openly; it involves being in the moment.
" Sidney Poitier