Start with yourself first..

Actually, before posting 'Looking beyond yourself', i should've posted this first i.e. we have to start with ourselves first. Once you're able to take good care of yourself, only then u can take care of your family and then beyond that.
You need to have a healthy livestyle first, before you can think of doing anything else. Healthy lifestyle means being physically fit i.e. eating right, taking care of your body (it's the only one you got), exercise or atleast some activity that requires physical force. At this point, do want to admit, i'm one of those who've shied away from this & it was always pretty low on my priority list :-) but i've realized my mistake, have a plan and started to work slowly & slowly :-) towards building that habit.

Once you're healthy, you can feel lot of good energy inside. Next step is to focus your energy. Have a positive attitude. Channel your energy into doing constructive things, things that will make you grow as well as enjoy. For eg. one of my passion is, analyzing stock markets and refining my option strategies. With a focussed mind, i can see much more clearly and it helps me in profitable trading. My other passion is my family. I absolutely love to spend time with my kids. Play with them, fight (pretend) with them, learn from them, teach them and look at life from their innocent view of the world. But let me tell you. IT REQUIRES lot of energy and patience..Mothers will know what i'm talking out :-) Not everybody can do this. I do this because i LOVE it.


Once you're able to take good care of your family, and are somewhat financially comfortable (will write more about this in another post..) it's only then you can take the next step to look beyond you're family and see the WORLD from a different lens. Appreciate what God has created..So much beauty and so much ugliness at the same time. Suddenly you'd realize how small we're in the Big scheme of things. For me, this is where i realize there's no end to learning, to growing, to enjoying what God has created and to Giving back..

Looking beyond yourself..

Most people live their lives, running a rat race. They're either constantly comparing themselves, to that neighbour (or friend or relative ) next door who has a better car or is more affluent or maybe has kids who're ahead of your kid in study or sports. This brings lot of envy and constant desire to compete.
If things don't go your way, then you start complaining & blaming others. This results in a negative impact on your family & yourself. Or maybe, you just get depressed simply because things don't seem to work for you..(and everybody else seems to be enjoying life)...Here's what i say
1. Pick yourself up. Appreciate what God has given you. There's a world out there where families don't have roof over their head. There are kids who die of hunger. Thank God you were not born in,maybe some place in Africa where just for water you'd be walking 10 km or maybe in Iraq, where, when you or your loved one steps out of house, nobody knows if he/she will return safely. Most importantly, Don't simply thank God, CHERISH what U HAVE..Enjoy every moment you get with your family or loved ones as they're always special and nothing can replace them.

2. Find a way. Do it better. Don't do it simply because someone else is doing it. Do it because U like to do it and whatever you do, do it with a passion. If you don't like your current situation & believe you deserve better, then STAND UP and do something about it.Don't be afraid & don't be afraid of failures.

3. Everyone get's old and Everyone dies..When you look back, will you be able to say It was Worth Living on Earth. I Had a Great Time, enjoyed what Life gave me, raised my kids, enjoyed my family & friends and thank God for that..How about, just 1 little step more,, i decided that i'll try to make someone else's life better, maybe did something for that little handicapped child in the orphanage who nobody cared about..I believe when u give beyond yourself, life will always give you back more..

Have the Confidence To succeed

Below video is again from Matt's site (all credits to him).
It's about how ordinary person can do extra-ordinary things if he has the will & determination. If you're focused and committed to your dreams, it may take time, but you'll get a shot at it..And when you do, you don't just sit..You act on it. "Dreams are what gives you the belief in yourself that lets you say to yourself, “I can, I will, and I must.”

It matters what you believe In.

This video is from Matt Morris's web site.
I really admire how he overcame all odds and made a niche for himself. Below is a video of Will Smith and his philosophy. I'm one of the believers too.